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Legal bid to end wind farm sit-in delayed
29.07.09
Moves aimed at ending an occupation of a wind turbine factory have been delayed until next week, it has emerged.
Vestas Wind Systems was due to go to court to seek repossession of its plant on the Isle of Wight, which has been occupied by a group of 25 workers since last week.
But the case was not heard and has been put back to next Tuesday.
The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said the move was a "victory" for the workers who are campaigning to save the factory from closure.
The site is due to shut on Friday with the loss of more than 600 jobs, sparking a campaign by unions and environmental activists to keep it open.
Bob Crow, the RMT union's general secretary, said he will use the time between now and next week to build the campaign, both nationally and globally.
He said climate change secretary Ed Miliband had contacted the union and wanted to hold talks about the future of the factory.
Mr Crow said he will be pressing for a meeting as a matter of urgency.
He also called on Vestas to allow hot food to be taken to the protesters, adding that prisoners in the island's Parkhurst jail were given better treatment.
He said: "The Vestas workers should not be treated like criminals.
"Prisoners in Parkhurst are given three square meals a day and there is no reason why people fighting for their jobs should not be given decent food."
Eleven of the protesters were given letters last night saying that they had been sacked with immediate effect and without compensation because of their protest, sparking anger from the RMT.
A climate change camp has been set up outside the site drawing increasing numbers of activists who believe the Government should step in to save the factory from closure, especially in view of recent announcements urging the creation of "green" jobs.
