Where things stand at the minute – please forward to contacts

Energy minister Ed Miliband has announced new government finance for wind-turbine construction, and extra public funds for the Vestas wind turbine company for investment.

According to the Guardian, Miliband says that all this is not intended to keep the Vestas wind turbine blade factories in the Isle of Wight – Britain’s only such factories – open, but the announcement suggests he is under pressure.

The Guardian also reports Vestas as saying that “no final decision” about the factories will be made until 31 July.

The St Cross (Newport) factory has been occupied since Monday 20 July. Workers not involved in the occupation have been told by Vestas bosses to stay home on full pay, but are rallying outside the factory to support their workmates inside.

Vestas bosses have also told workers at the other factory, Venture Quays (East Cowes), to stay home, apparently for fear that they will occupy the factory if let into it.

The occupation is going strong, and the protest outside too. More and more supporters from outside are arriving to help the workers.

This battle will not end soon, unless Vestas bosses and the Government capitulate quicker than expected.

What you can do
* Come to the protest outside the Vestas factory – Monks Brook, St Cross Industrial Estate, Newport, Isle of Wight.

* Send messages of support from yourself or your organisation to
savevestas@gmail.com.

* Send a donation from your trade union or other organisation, or make a personal donation: cheques payable to Ryde and East Wight Trades Union Council, 22 Church Lane, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 2NB, or donate online via this link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6976043.

* Contact energy minister Ed Miliband. His e-address is
ps.ed.miliband@decc.gsi.gov.uk. His phone number in his Doncaster
constituency is 01302 875 462, and at Westminster, 020 7219 4778. Flood him with calls for the Government to take over the Vestas factory and keep it producing, under new management.

* Organise a visible demonstration of solidarity. Take a photo with a
placard that reads “Save Vestas Jobs” and email the photo to
savevestas@gmail.com.

* Sign the petitions http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SaveVestas/ on the No.10 site and http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/press_for_change/vestas_petition_20414.html on the FoE website.