Vestas protestors served eviction notice

07 Aug 2009

Six men who barricaded themselves inside the Vestas Wind Systems plan, on the Isle of Wight for over two weeks, will be evicted on Friday. Bailiffs visited the plant and taped a warrant notice on a window facing the building for the occupying workers to see. The notice gives them 24 hours to leave the factory by midday on Friday.

Vestas obtained a repossession order from Newport county court on Tuesday more than a fortnight into the sit-in that saw 25 employees of the firm occupy the factory to save it from closure with the loss of more than 600 jobs.

Trade unionists and climate change campaigners who were maintaining a vigil outside the plant premises also joined the workers. Many protestors have reportedly set up permanent camps there.

Police personnel were present in larger numbers at the site on Thursday as the eviction notice was served, but the interaction between officers and campaigners has been cordial so far.

Meanwhile, workers in the factory have called on supporters to gather ahead of the bailiffs' arrival on Friday morning.

Of those who left the factory earlier in the week some have taken their message to the mainland to coordinate a protest that will be staged outside the department of energy and climate change in London.