The Newport plant occupation may be over, but the campaign is very definitely not. In fact, as Marina put it today, “it’s just getting going”!
Vestas’ doings will still be disrupted as they go about attempting to ‘tie up’ business on the Isle of Wight. Workers, activists and locals remain wholly committed, in ever-growing numbers, to the campaign to save the green-collar jobs in Newport and Southampton. Europe-wide, Vestas is feeling the blast of public dissent over this factory closure. It is being forced to understand that wider issues are at stake here than simply ‘job cuts’: this economic meltdown coincides with the beginnings worldwide of devastating climate change – capitalism’s self-inflicted carnage – fatal not only to bats but human beings in their millions. Inaction, which our leaders attempt to attribute to the imperfections of the market and the industrial planning system we have nationally, is not acceptable to anyone with an interest in the world.
We invite all locals to come and learn about the campaign at 7pm tomorrow on the ‘Magic Roundabout’: a family-friendly solidarity get together is being arranged where workers, activists and Isle of Wight residents will be sharing food and gearing up for the long fight ahead.