NEWS RELEASE MAGIC ROUNDABOUT SOLIDARITY CAMP

9th October 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Winds of Change as Green MEP meets ex-Vestas workers

Green Party leader Dr. Caroline Lucas, met with the workers who were sacked for occupying the Vestas factory earlier this year, along with Union and Trades Council representatives, local supporters and activists who have been camped out on the roundabout at the factory entrance since July.

Dr. Lucas, who is also prospective parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavillion, spent two hours on the roundabout learning first hand about the struggle of the workers and their supporters (1). She was shown around the camp before being invited to share lunch with the 30 campaigners present. She heard the full story of the three months since 18 workers occupied the factory for 18 days.

There have been rallies and protests in support across the country - and the world. At the TUC conference in Liverpool last month, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband was forced to address the workers directly and applauded them when the occupiers recieved a spontaneous standing ovation from the floor (2).

Meanwhile, a 24 hour vigil has remained on the roundabout complete with a field kitchen, an exhibition space and tents. Roundabout spokesperson James Beecher said: “We welcome Carolines’ support (3). Workers, locals, union reps, environmental and social justice activists, and now the Island’s Green MEP will continue to fight to keep wind turbine manufacturing on the island – and we have the ‘Will to Win’.

“The lunch we had today was a great meeting of minds and a show of strength. We are a growing force.”

The lunch was supported by a wide range of groups including ITAG – locals campaigning for wind farms on the Isle of Wight – and the RMT, FBU, Unison and GMB unions. Members of activist groups including Climate Camp, Workers Climate Action (4), Workers Liberty, Climate Rush and Bicycology also spoke to the Green Party Leader. The menu included organic pumpkin soup with all ingredients sourced on the island; including a Godshill Farm pumpkin. Homemade vegan chocolate brownies were served after.

Dr. Lucas wore a ‘Support Vestas Workers’ T-shirt and took home a CD of the campaign song after making a donation to campaign funds. “Before she left we made a toast was to celebrate the news that plans for a coal fired power station in Kingsnorth have been shelved. Everyone raised a glass and drank to future success for the Wind Turbine campaign” said Mr. Beecher.

“Following today’s Government report on the future of British energy supplies,” he continued, “ it is clear that wind power is the best option to pursue in the coming decade, with coal too expensive for both climate and consumers to deserve Government support. This makes it all the more pressing for the UK to promote manufacturing of turbines, in particular restarting production at the existing Vestas facility on the IoW.”

The County Council’s chief executive and the leader David Pugh were invited to the lunch. They chose not to attend. Climate activist Marina Pepper said: “We’re sorry this council, which claims to want to help the workers, missed lunch. We extend to them an open invitation to join us for a meal to discuss genuine ways forward involving deeds and not just words to help the workers and the whole island”

Expressing a sentiment voiced by many of those who have got involved in the campaign, Dr. Lucas left saying, “I didn’t think it would be so much fun!”


Notes to Editors:


1. The aims of the campaign remain 1. Reinstatement & Redundancy for the 11 sacked workers who occupied the factory in an attempt to save it, and an improved Redundancy package for all workers, 2. Re-open the factory – as a Workers’ Co-op or through Nationalisation if necessary, and 3. Make the Government commit to serious policies to ensure that the UK installs significant amounts of Renewable Energy generating plant, and that production for this is within the UK, as far as possible.

2. Ryde Trades Council reports on next week’s planned meeting with Ed Miliband, MP: “The agenda is at the moment set by him: “discussions on the closure of the Vestas blade plant, as well as alternative renewable energy strategies for the Island and alternative employment opportunities”. The agenda should also be set by the workers such as what the government is doing to carry out the demands set by Vestas workers on how the existing plant should be started up again forthwith!” From:  http://rtuc.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/ed-miliband-must-be-confronted-yet-again/, see also:  http://ventnorblog.com/2009/09/17/vestas-protest-ed-miliband-to-meet-isle-of-wight-council/

3. Caroline Lucas MEP has already stated her support for the workers, the campaign, and those arrested as part of solidarity actions, and has made practical steps to pursue a Worker’s Cooperative takeover of the factory. On July 31st, Dr. Lucas submitted an urgent proposal to the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council for support for a workers co-op at the Vestas wind turbine manufacturing plant to be established under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 (  http://savevestas.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/caroline-lucas-mep-proposes-a-workers-co-op/). She has said “Failure to keep the Vestas plant open will represent a spectacular failure by the government to match its rhetoric on green jobs with real policy action. It should be seizing the opportunity to create a renewable energy revolution that can see us through a transition towards a more environmentally and economically stable economy. Allowing the IoW plant to close now would be a massive embarrassment for ministers – and devastating for the IoW’s workers.” See:  http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/2009/07/21/isle-of-wight’s-green-euro-mp-in-support-of-vestas-plant-occupation/ &  http://www.greenpartyblogs.org.uk/feature/2009/09/don’t-punish-vestas-workers-defending-green-jobs.

4. The Workers' Climate Action network's second conference takes place on 10 and 11 October at University College London (see: www.workersclimateaction.co.uk). It is advertised as a space for discussion and planning and is open to climate activists, trade unionists, and all those interested in workers' struggle and fighting climate change. WCA activists have played a key role in helping to initiate and support the Vestas struggle. Saturday’s conference meeting will be held at Wilkins Old Refectory, University College London, Gower Street, near Euston Station. On Sunday, WCA will hold an organising and campaign planning meeting - call Stuart 07817 595 626 or Bob 07843 945 005. For information email:  workersclimateaction.info@gmail.com.


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