Vestas Workers Solidarity Camp - Photos
PeterPannier | 02.10.2009 09:17 | Climate Chaos | Energy Crisis | Workers' Movements | South Coast | World
Since the removal of the 'Marine Gate' 'Blade Blockade', and the Turbine Blades that remained in the Vestas Blades UK factory on St. Cross Business Park, Dodnor Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight, campaigners have been sorting out the original 'Magic Roundabout' Camp, and considering strategy. A Marquee has been erected and a fair amount of furniture skipped / built to make the area comfortable and well-resourced in terms of power (80-odd watts of solar power for phone and laptop charging), a solar shower, and spare tents for visitors.
Players...
The campaign to keep the Wind Turbine Blade Factory on the Isle of Wight (the only sizeable renewables production facility in the UK) open was featured heavily in the national news media in July and August. Media, and activist, attention was grabbed by the Occupation of the offices at the factory by a small number of the 600 workers who were to lose their jobs (more would have occupied, but the management were tipped off, and the occupation had to be moved forwards).
The occupation began on July 20th. Vestas failed to sort out their eviction order the first time, meaning the occupation lasted 10 days beyond the closure of the factory on July 31st. Workers remained on full pay during this time, and many workers entered the company redundancy scheme thanks purely to this (Vestas was to refuse them any redundancy despite the fact they were days from the minimum time needed). This was one of many small victories.
With the end of the occupation, many in the local press spoke of the 'end of the campaign' - no doubt in part thanks to ideas put out by Vestas themselves. On the contrary, rallies and meetings continued, the local JobCentre was 'Rushed', demos happened around the Isle of Wight and nationally, including one march which ended with local campaigners and supporters invading the Vestas site, and temporarily occupying the factory (leaving of their own will).
Focus then shifted to the Wind Turbine Blades that were being stored both in Southampton (109 blades) and the St. Cross factory (9 blades). Activists occupied a crane and two barges in Southampton, and blockaded the gate wherby blades were moved to the River Medina on the Island. Vestas security attempted to make it known that Vestas were unconcerned about the 'Blade Blockade', but activists estimated the value of the Blades at £750,000, and the police operation to evict the camp suggests some degree of importance attached to the removal of the blockade.
Up until the eviction of the 'Blade Blockade', the police presence has generally been low and reasonable. Officers constantly repeated the line in informal police liaison that they "were neutral" and there to facilitate peaceful protest. Very few arrests have been made.
Last week 120 officers were drafted in from the mainland, arriving at the 'Blade Blockade' at 6.30am. The cyclepath over which Blades had to be taken to reach the river was shut off with harris fencing, and lines of police. 13 people were arrested for "having committed, committing, or about to commit the offence of aggravated trespass", but as I understand it none were charged later. Workers (including several of the original occupiers) and supporters were present with banners and chants, but the blades were removed from the factory. Also removed, by police, were various items found at the Marine Gate camp - including a tripod, various tables, a brazier, a large tarpaulin, tents, and much else besides. Apparently this is available for colelction but one attempt at least has been met with a failure to return goods confiscated.
Shortly afterward, Vestas installed new Harris fencing expanding their "perimeter" (now including the infamous 'Vestas Oak' - "from small occupations, mighty revolutions grow"), putting up 'Private Property No Trespassing' signs', and strengthening triangles in the fencing, and denying the campaigners the option of hanging banners on the fencing.
Since the eviction of the Blockade camp, workers and campaigners living at the site have concentrated on a massive tidying operation. Banners have been hung in front of the main gate by other means, and a marquee and stage area erected. Local skips and plentiful and provide a variety of useful furniture and raw materials for the construction of tables, shelving units and the like. The Marquee is becoming a social centre of sorts, with information from the different groups present (Vestas campaign, Climate Camp, Climate Rush, Bicycology, Alliance for Workers Liberty, SWP, Socialist Party) - and more on it's way. There's a solar powered mobile charging point and stereo, a solar shower, a 12 seater dining/meeting table, a radical library and photo/newpaper history of the campaign.
Vestas workers have had appeals against their dismissal (essentially against the closure of the factory) this week, and they and others have been visiting the camp more than they have recently had time/energy too. A positive local news story on 'life at the camp' seems to have inspired more locals to visit out of curiosity, and with Film Nights, National and Local Meetings, an advertised restaurant evening and even a 'girls night in' planned, things are looking interesting.
The Fight Goes On. We ain't giving up on this one! Come and Join Us!
(Fighting for 1. Reinstatement of the sacked occupying workers - owed £45,000 redundancy collectively. 1.b) better redundancy for all. 2. Re-opening of the factory. Ideally under worker control, through nationalisation if necessary, bought out by a consortium, or re-opened by Vestas as alternatives. 3. A decent energy strategy from the government and IOW council regarding production of energy through renewables, and production of the renewables kit on the IOW and in the UK. Ed Miliband is soon to meet Vestas management. Don't let either of them get away with rhetoric and PR)
The occupation began on July 20th. Vestas failed to sort out their eviction order the first time, meaning the occupation lasted 10 days beyond the closure of the factory on July 31st. Workers remained on full pay during this time, and many workers entered the company redundancy scheme thanks purely to this (Vestas was to refuse them any redundancy despite the fact they were days from the minimum time needed). This was one of many small victories.
With the end of the occupation, many in the local press spoke of the 'end of the campaign' - no doubt in part thanks to ideas put out by Vestas themselves. On the contrary, rallies and meetings continued, the local JobCentre was 'Rushed', demos happened around the Isle of Wight and nationally, including one march which ended with local campaigners and supporters invading the Vestas site, and temporarily occupying the factory (leaving of their own will).
Focus then shifted to the Wind Turbine Blades that were being stored both in Southampton (109 blades) and the St. Cross factory (9 blades). Activists occupied a crane and two barges in Southampton, and blockaded the gate wherby blades were moved to the River Medina on the Island. Vestas security attempted to make it known that Vestas were unconcerned about the 'Blade Blockade', but activists estimated the value of the Blades at £750,000, and the police operation to evict the camp suggests some degree of importance attached to the removal of the blockade.
Up until the eviction of the 'Blade Blockade', the police presence has generally been low and reasonable. Officers constantly repeated the line in informal police liaison that they "were neutral" and there to facilitate peaceful protest. Very few arrests have been made.
Last week 120 officers were drafted in from the mainland, arriving at the 'Blade Blockade' at 6.30am. The cyclepath over which Blades had to be taken to reach the river was shut off with harris fencing, and lines of police. 13 people were arrested for "having committed, committing, or about to commit the offence of aggravated trespass", but as I understand it none were charged later. Workers (including several of the original occupiers) and supporters were present with banners and chants, but the blades were removed from the factory. Also removed, by police, were various items found at the Marine Gate camp - including a tripod, various tables, a brazier, a large tarpaulin, tents, and much else besides. Apparently this is available for colelction but one attempt at least has been met with a failure to return goods confiscated.
Shortly afterward, Vestas installed new Harris fencing expanding their "perimeter" (now including the infamous 'Vestas Oak' - "from small occupations, mighty revolutions grow"), putting up 'Private Property No Trespassing' signs', and strengthening triangles in the fencing, and denying the campaigners the option of hanging banners on the fencing.
Since the eviction of the Blockade camp, workers and campaigners living at the site have concentrated on a massive tidying operation. Banners have been hung in front of the main gate by other means, and a marquee and stage area erected. Local skips and plentiful and provide a variety of useful furniture and raw materials for the construction of tables, shelving units and the like. The Marquee is becoming a social centre of sorts, with information from the different groups present (Vestas campaign, Climate Camp, Climate Rush, Bicycology, Alliance for Workers Liberty, SWP, Socialist Party) - and more on it's way. There's a solar powered mobile charging point and stereo, a solar shower, a 12 seater dining/meeting table, a radical library and photo/newpaper history of the campaign.
Vestas workers have had appeals against their dismissal (essentially against the closure of the factory) this week, and they and others have been visiting the camp more than they have recently had time/energy too. A positive local news story on 'life at the camp' seems to have inspired more locals to visit out of curiosity, and with Film Nights, National and Local Meetings, an advertised restaurant evening and even a 'girls night in' planned, things are looking interesting.
The Fight Goes On. We ain't giving up on this one! Come and Join Us!
(Fighting for 1. Reinstatement of the sacked occupying workers - owed £45,000 redundancy collectively. 1.b) better redundancy for all. 2. Re-opening of the factory. Ideally under worker control, through nationalisation if necessary, bought out by a consortium, or re-opened by Vestas as alternatives. 3. A decent energy strategy from the government and IOW council regarding production of energy through renewables, and production of the renewables kit on the IOW and in the UK. Ed Miliband is soon to meet Vestas management. Don't let either of them get away with rhetoric and PR)
PeterPannier
Homepage:
http://savevestas.wordpress.com
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02.10.2009 10:02
Out but not down… protest group will not be moved
By Emily Pearce - Friday, September 25, 2009
George Hill, aka Peter Pannier has a degree from Sussex University in international relations and development studies.
WIGHT LIVING
LIFE at the Vestas camp certainly couldn’t be described as dull.
Although protesters were evicted from their pitch on the Newport to Cowes cycle track on Tuesday, life at the roundabout camp outside the Vestas factory gates — dubbed the Magic Roundabout — is as busy as ever.
Try getting up at sunrise and preparing breakfast for around 20 hungry people, before embarking on a busy day of campaigning, building furniture or attending workshops on your legal rights as a protester. If you want to learn how to cook for large numbers or rush a building, this is where you find out.
The Vestas camp may have been a familiar site to anyone who regularly uses the cycleway or works at the Riverway Industrial Estate but, despite coverage in both the local and national press, this colourful canvas community, adorned with pinwheels and banners proclaiming 'Mandelson’s Green Failure’ and 'Gizza Green Job,’ seems to have escaped the attention of most Islanders.
It is hard to believe some protesters have been camping out for nearly two months now, since Vestas’ Newport factory was first occupied by workers attempting to halt its closure back in July, but they are still there, convinced their presence will make a difference. The camp had been spread out over two sites, the cycleway and the 'Magic Roundabout’ outside the Vestas factory, and its inhabitants have established a fully functional community, albeit on a small scale.
Some protesters go to swimming pools to use the showers, while others go to the houses of local supporters or use a bucket of water, and everyone has dinner together every evening thanks to donations of gas and food. They have their own chemical toilet and take turns tidying the campsite. An average day might also include a trip to the police station, to meet fellow campaigners arrested the previous day.
"A lot of people stop by the camp to find out what we are doing. Everyone is really friendly and people who work on the industrial estate donate food and other stuff," said 25-year-old George Hill, aka Peter Pannier.
George, who hails from Stroud, Gloucester-shire, and has a first-class degree from Sussex University in international relations and development studies, has a wind turbine painted on his face and wears a T-shirt imploring people to 'embrace the revolution’. He is particularly earnest, and will not speak to the press without a female colleague in a bid to support gender equality.
"People walking along the cycle path are happy to chat and take a green ribbon but it does seem like everything outside the camp is going on as normal. I went into town the other day and it was a bit weird," he said. "I think a lot of people on the Island assumed it was all over when the workers were evicted but this fight can be won."
Former glamour model turned district councillor turned eco-activist Marina Pepper, 42, from Brighton said: "This is very different from other protests I’ve been involved with," "We are so well supported locally, no-one hassles us. Old ladies bring us tea and home-made cake and people are always asking how they can help, whether its lending us their phone, giving us lifts or even doing our laundry."
Marina, an author and journalist, who has written for the Evening Standard, New Statesman and the Independent, is an old hand at environmental action, having been involved in the G20 Meltdown campaign and the protest against Heathrow expansion.
Contrary to popular belief, the protesters run a fairly strict camp. Communal meals are always vegan, and there is very little alcohol on site. "This is a living place and a work space, it’s not a festival," said George, firmly.
The protesters themselves are from a wide range of backgrounds, although most are members of climate change pressure groups, trade unions or left-wing political parties. Organisations represented onsite include Workers’ Climate Action, Bicycology, Climate Rush, Climate Camp, the Alliance for Workers’ Liberty, and the Socialist and Socialist Workers’ Parties, while trade unions including the RMT, FBU and Unison have their flags flying next to the tents.
"The campaign is a marriage of both climate change and workers’ issues. They are closing the Vestas factory with no thought for either climate issues or the 600 people losing their jobs," said Marina.
The protesters have taken to the streets of Newport on several occasions, shouting their aims through a megaphone — they want the Vestas factory nationalised under workers’ control, and a guarantee wind turbine production will remain on the Island for the benefit of the whole country.
"We are aware it’s not a policy in this country to nationalise companies, so it’s more likely another company will come in. But production must continue, you’ve got a factory and skilled workers here ready to go," said Marina. George added: "The debate shouldn’t be about whether or not to have wind turbines, it should be what colour to paint them."
Although the protesters remain convinced victory is just around the corner, they are nonetheless prepared for the long haul.
The campaigners are unapologetic their protest has cost the police £300,000, as reported in last week’s County Press, and denied their tactics — including blockading the factory — were becoming more militant.
"Vestas should pay the policing costs. You have to pay if you run a festival or organise a football match, and this protest is happening because of them," said Marina. "Anyway, the police have told us we don’t need policing because we are so well behaved."
George added: "The occupation was the most militant thing we’ve done and that really was direct action." "And it will probably happen again before this campaign is over."
Following claims in last week’s County Press that remaining Vestas workers faced intimidation, Marina flatly denied the protesters were involved "It’s just not the way activists here would act, but we are easy to blame," she said. George said: "We are here to support the workers, not intimidate them." "And while we have been leafleting them, asking them not to go to work, we haven’t stopped them.
"We wouldn’t do anything violent, or anything we think is reprehensible."
The camp is a small community but it has a big message. And it is a message that couldn’t be more pertinent to the Island, where the debate about windfarms refuses to go away. You don’t have to look far to see posters raging against turbines on Cheverton Down but the Vestas protesters nevertheless believe most Islanders are on their side. "The silent majority do want wind farms, most Islanders want them," insisted Marina. "Islanders are lucky to have such beautiful countryside and a few wind turbines won’t ruin the view. But it will make all the difference to this Island’s future."
PeterPannier
Homepage:
http://twitter.com/PeterPannier