Vestas: green jobs battle is on

If the government thought they were off the hook after the end of the Vestas occupation, they are in for a shock.

Sunday evening saw over 100 Vestas workers and their supporters cram into a meeting to discuss how to continue their fight for jobs on the island.

They were united in their resolve to step up the pressure on Vestas management and the government.

The meeting drew up plans for the national day of action on Wednesday 12 August.

Lunchtime rallies were planned for the day, as well as mass leafleting operations of workplaces and shops, banner drops and actions by taxi drivers, and bus and ferry workers.

The workers have formed committees for the towns Sandown, Ryde, Cowes, East Cowes and Newport.

They will spread the word across the island that the fight is not over, and ensure that the widespread support is translated into action.

But it is not just those on the Isle of Wight who are taking part in the activity.

Workers at the meeting described how actions have been planned not just nationally but internationally, including by workers in Denmark (Vestas is a Danish company), and potentially in the US.

The meeting also discussed ways to ensure that the company can’t remove the parts still inside the Vestas factory, through pickets and blockades.

“The meeting was really good, with lots of people coming up with lots of ideas,” said Denise, the wife of one of the Vestas workers.

“We need to support each other and stick together to win, no matter what we do to do it.”

Jamie, one of the Vestas occupiers, was upbeat after the meeting. “Our support is spreading,” he told Socialist Worker.

“It’s not just restricted to this meeting room tonight. There will be a lot more people from now. I can’t see us losing.”