Vestas Wind Systems
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, 23rd July 2009, 13:04
HOW DARE an ‘overseas’ Company, come to our Island, set up a factory, milk our engineering skills, reconstruct our landscape and then close down the operation, putting 625 people out of work.
The ‘sit-in’ workers are now being ‘starved’ out, which just about sums up the mentality of the management.
AND they are going to build a development factory on the banks of our river ???
Come on Island Authorities…………….PUT A STOP TO THE STAG LANE DEVELOPMENT AND SEND THIS FESTERING DANISH COMPANY BACK WHERE THEY CAME FROM !!!
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The post from ‘Born Locally’ is finally grasping the reality of the situation. We need renewable alternative sources of energy.
Watching those men defending their employment was a source of pride. But I am afraid it comes too late.
Does it matter if some one has done their maths wrong? they were only given as an elementary example I would guess.
It is the final statement in the last paragraph
‘but surely that’s an overners dream’ that finds the spot every time.
As some one interested in the history of our great nation, I find this view that ‘we own’ the Island or in fact any where else, plainly silly. In historical fact, the Island has been conquered, governed, by several tribes the largest being the ‘Jutes’ who settled large part of Kent and spread out along southern coast of Britain. One section of the tribe making the island its home. The French have had a go, and we still have remnants of that part of history in families still existing, plus the old town hall at Newtown.
I admit that this short time line example is not exact, but used purely as an illustration.
The only people who can claim to be ‘Born and Bred’ are families who can trace their ancestry back to those times, I may be proved incorrect but I wager that the true numbers are quiet low.
But it was to be many centuries before people were given plots of land to call their own.
I am only setting out to show how shallow this long held ideology that being born here gives you some superior value over other residents who came and ‘settled here’. Thus you are in fact only ‘off springs’ from other ‘overners’ interesting thought?
All men/women are equal under god (which ever one he is?) except those who were born elsewhere.
A late thought please don’t all try to hang draw and quarter me for my opinions, I am but a humble Islander.
Kermit A.K.A ?
It will be the Government of the day in the very near future that makes wind-farms appear in many places that seem to be against them.
Its not an easy decision to make but we need them, sooner than later.
Our consumption of electricity has grown to a figure that would have been science fiction in the days of my mums “electric light bill”. If given the choice of my kids having sufficient electricity in 10 years from now or a “Turbine free horizon” I know the way I will vote, be it local or National. Local planning officers, or local councilors are not the people that decide issues of importance like this. MPs that sits in Parliament should have a free vote in a bill that decides the way forward. I also think Scotland and Wales should be part of the same process.
I do understand that most overners move here to enjoy the scenery and way of life as it is today and dont want it spoilt, but I dispute the figures that Roger has tabled, it may feel like we are in the minority but surely thats just an overners dream.
Born localy.
Quote “It is in fact NOT a joke. In fact VESTAS are a very good example why ‘nimbyism’ exists at all.
How many other companies and overners have affected the Island in a negative way………….think about it…..LOTS.”
I think that the poster who wrote the above, does nothing to represent the Island in any shape or form at all. He/She only shows to the large majority of residents living here that there is a small, but very vocal number who pretend that they and only they are the real voice of the Island community.
It begs the question does this group want the island to declare ‘UDI’ and be free of the shackles of outsiders interfering in their affairs? (sic)
Try to imagine what society would be like here if that were to happen. No new industries or jobs to go with them, what about the infrastructure? which relies on both people and finance from foreign shores; I have no desire to rant on and on about some peoples inward looking perspective about the Island in the 21st century.
This beautiful place,with many area’s of outstanding natural beauty is not going to survive, even in its present form. Jobs will continue to be lost in all area’s of the Island.
What we require is new investment, job creation schemes that are sustainable for the future, to provide employment for our children.
Regards the statement that there are examples where ‘overners’ have affected the Island in negative way’s.
Yes the costs are incredibly high when travelling across the Solent, and it is this that generates the most hostility. On this issue I am agreement with the anon poster.
The hardest thing to achieve on the Island is a consistent trail of ‘Positive Thoughts’ there are without exception, comments and letters to the local news paper giving reasons why new schemes should not develop. Where are all the ‘yes’ we want the scheme residents.?
Re the ‘Referendum’ idea, I think we must wait to see if we can wake from their slumbers the ‘silent majority’ on whom we must rely on to set in train any action that could,( but by no means certain?) push the Island forward.
Regards,
G R Cotterill Northwood.
It is in fact NOT a joke. In fact VESTAS are a very good example why ‘nimbyism’ exists at all.
How many other companies and overners have affected the Island in a negative way………….think about it…..LOTS.
So that’s about 40% of Island residents? Deduct the under eg 14s which would leave say 36%. If 20% want the turbines that would leave 80% either with no vote or not wanting them. Hardly a worthwhile exercise if you ask me!
Still an interesting comment and I would like to see the evidence that “nimbyism” is the sole preserve of Island residents not born here. Your view that only Island born residents should actually have a vote on the issue is of course an outstanding example of what is meant by “nimybism”.
However I am prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt by assuming your posting is in fact a joke!
Best wishes to all. Roger Mazillius
You used the word ‘nimbyism’? Its been mentioned before and I guess always by ‘overners’ and as such is not worth the message it was written in. Any vote on whether the Island has wind turbines, should be made exclusively by those of us who were ‘born’ on the Island.
Thanks again Mr. C. A Referendum would be interesting as would the question. So should that be “Are you in favour of working wind turbines on the Island?” Perhaps “which are manufactured on the Island” should be added to that question.
Alternatively perhaps we should add to make the exercise really worthwhile the number of turbines, eg “Are you in favour of 200 working wind turbines manufactured on the Island being erected here?” In my view to have anything like a proper mandate, it is no good pussyfooting around without any indication for approval of the type of numbers needed to generate sufficient green energy to make the erections worthwhile. Of course I may be wrong and we would need several hundreds or even thousands to achieve that necessary amount of energy.
Then you will have the issue over the turnout.As Mr. C. says, this might not be very high, although we could be surprised given the publicity generated by the topic and I would assume THWART etc would be very busy organising a “no” vote.
So could the turnout be 50%? Would just a simple majority be required meaning that say 26% of voters decide or should there be a minimum number of voters out of the total electorate,eg at least 50% of the entire registered electorate or a lesser percentage?
Further who is to decide these procedural matters and the wording of the question- the Isle of Wight Council as planning authority or some other body? Or would we actually need a referendum before agreeing the main referendum procedure/majority etc?
Then there will be the in-evitable “nimbyism” issues when sites are actually identified because I do not think, whatever the result of a referendum, that a “yes” result would legally bind the Council Planning Committee which as before would have to decide each application on the relevant planning issues identified by the planning officers who might well not feel able to recommend any particular application(s).
If so we will be back to square one and almost countless years of delay – well that will see me out!
So will the only real way of the necessary permissions becoming a reality be for the Government to completely re-write the planning legislation to allow wind turbines to be erected in a streamlined process that presumes each such application fulfills a new criteria for permission, thereby side-stepping local objections.
That in my view is the only workable choice if wind turbines in any number are to be erected on the Island and the rest of England. (I think Scotland and Wales would have to make their own decisions) Indeed, is such new legislation now under active consideration? If so would this be passed before the General Election? In any event, would such legislation be approved by a new incoming government?
I would hope there will be many contributions to these “conundrums” for which I offer my personal thanks to Mr Cotterill for initiating what could be a most interesting continuation of this posting.
Best wishes to all, Roger Mazillius
Having read the good response to the Vestas issue, it is obvious there are as many ‘pros’ as there are ‘cons’ Each in their own way have logical and understandable thought processes behind their ideas.
There are plainly 1 or 2 posts that can be labelled rants, however they are entitled to their view.
Without doubt the issue of ‘Wind Farms’ will come up again, and the Island will again be in the firing line. I feel that the IOW Council should hold a ‘Referendum’ to illicit the democratic will of residents on the Island.
I can hear the grinding and gnashing of teeth already, but I am of the opinion that this would produce a baseline from which to plan the future of renewable energy, sustainable power for whatever lies ahead. I am first to agree that wind is not the complete answer but if the energy plan consists of several sources of energy production then we have a chance.
In many ways the Islands residents already have a democratic say via the planning and now through the recently expanded Parish Councils. Trouble is,(Here I fear I am shooting myself in the foot) if residents will not turn out in large enough numbers to vote in polling stations that are fairly close to their homes, will they turn out to give a clear and concise mandate regarding the serious issue of energy production from renewable sources?
What do other Island residents think?
We must leave a future for our children safe from pollution, politicians will enjoin into their usual games of up one ship and seeking to score points off each other, to this end a ‘forum’ is a clear statement of the will of the people.
Over the years I have heard all the arguments of Local Councillors, Upper Level Councillors, Parliament are our representatives and they carry out the wishes of the people they represent; Really, I am not sure that holds up when set against the reality of what emanates from those who represent us. Forums do not play a big enough part in our democracy. But it should on issues that are so important to our very existence.
G R Cotterill Northwood.
Im not a supporter of windfarms on our Island, for the same reason that they wouldnt allow them in the middle of the Lake District. We are a beautiful holiday Island, more diverse than most parts of the rest of England, BUT I ‘could’ weaken to your logic. You ‘are’ making a lot of sense, but I feel you are implying that Vestas ‘pull-out’ is because we wont allow the Island to be their ‘test-bed’ (Old AUEW Member)
ps. I have to agree that the wind turbines are not as ugly as many structures, but they would dominate the scenic views that tourists come here for……why not harness some power from the sea ?
The reason they came hear is it suited them at the time. 10 years ago, government money to build a site and then plenty of cheap Island skilled labour.
China and Mexican/USA labour is now on offer, far cheaper than ours and its a fact the USA is grabbing back all it can in the way of manufacturing, if they dont make it in the States they dont buy it.
Lets get some Wind Turbines going on this Island or do we wait for what ever Government is in power over the next 10 years to change the planning laws. We will have Wind Turbines and tidal power electricity on the Island soon and if some cant see that Im sorry for them. The stupid thing is that they may well get manufactured in China.
Russian Natural gas is expensive and even more worrying they can turn it off, as and when they want.
Middle East oil will get more expensive the more we use, never mind the Ozone Layer. Coal is expensive and difficult to mine.
Perhaps the anti wind-farm gang would prefer a Nuclear power station on the coast at Niton or Newtown.
Yeah Wind Turbines are big and ugly but so are Pylons if you live next to one, but somebody has to.
I dont think the Blackpool Tower is pretty or the Eiffel Tower come to that, but people pay to go up it, and the locals love them, I think!
The IW Council Planing Department could be an example of the way the UK has to move with the times, are they brave enough I doubt it.
If my garden was bigger they could stick one in it.
A supporter of the Wind Machine.
What you say is true………..but did they not think of that before they occupied a large chunk of our riverside, built a jetty and several coastal boats ? Dont say much for their forward planning, does it. (Old AUEW member)
The Isle of Wight seems like an ideal location to fabricate wind turbine blades since it provides easy shipping access to many other parts of Northern Europe. But, if Vestas can’t sell blades to this market, does it make sense to build them here?
If folks in the states are willing to buy their turbines, wouldn’t it make more sense to build them there instead of incurring the high costs of shipping these large structures across the Atlantic?
JUST READ THIS ON THE BBC NEWS WEBSITE
Promotional images for a windfarm in Northumberland were likely to mislead the public, the UK’s advertising watchdog has ruled.
Energy firm E.ON’s adverts for the West Ancroft, Berwick, site showed turbines half the size of those planned, said the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA).
A photomontage was also “not sufficiently representative” of the likely visual impact in the area.
As I have mentioned before in this forum…..ECONOMICAL WITH THE TRUTH. Its no wonder we cant trust Vestas !
Well said, that man. I too have been a Union man all my life and my observation has always been that, management are economical with truth (often untruthful) and the skilled man just really wants to work and/or improve his working conditions, although he is always seen as the orge. If the skilled men had not ‘walked out’ of Plessey many years ago, workers there now would still have: reduced wages, no sick pay and no company pension. The Vestas men are doing no more than claiming the right to work. Im sure their jobs wont be saved, but hopefully Vestas will think twice about riding rough shot over their workforce in the future. Let it be a lesson to other companies too. Good Luck to all those lads that were prepared to make a stand for the right to work. (AUEW ‘green card’ member)
Well it seems strange to me that a non union firm has such a high level of union activity now. Not that its wrong, if not a little late.
I stand to be corrected but I was under the impression that the Union membership at Vestas was almost Zero, 4 weeks ago.
I have 40 years union membership and certainly remember the closed shop agreement at a local company, one of the Island large employers.
It always seemed strange to me at mass meetings 30 years ago that the stewards of the day spoke to us all as though we were 100% total socialist or even worse left of left. We were actually a mix of political views and quite honestly for most politics didn’t come into the equation we were union members to get a better deal for us, selfish maybe, but true, and in some cases didn’t care about others trades in the same company.
I hated Thatcher for what she was and her anti union mentality, but the secret ballot at least gave the few Union members that feared their fellow workers the chance to vote as they wanted on industrial action at home and in some cases how the partner/wife wanted. A 70% secret ballot vote was worth 10 of the 100% show of hands votes outside the gate.
This in turn made the union reps think long and hard about industrial action. I have been on strike 30 years ago at the show of hands out side the gates, and like many at the time thought their must have been a better way of dealing with this than just loosing money.
Things changed and people like me took the flack for the members it was not easier but certainly different than the “out brothers out” position of the 70s and early 80s. The agreements took a long time to agree but were fair for both sides and if it was a NO we all had the reason why. It then was down to us to weigh up the situation and its amazing how many times when you know the full picture it actually makes more sense to some, and I say some, of the decisions that are made. I have no doubt we as reps only get told so much and I am sure that is the same for the local management most of us deal with. Board room decisions are made with out the local rep or managers being involved but if the system works they are fully aware of the feedback from the management/Union network.
I have no idea what reasons Vestas have for pulling the plug but I expect like most its all to do with profit, and thats what these companies are in it for nothing else.
Good luck to all the workers at Vestas, I hope it turns out that the Company can see it has a united work force that it can use to its advantage.
A Modern Thinking Union rep.
Quote ‘Trade Unions always fight for the right to work and improved working conditions.
Company’s always have a hidden agenda.’
‘I would guess that most of you that comment have no experience of ‘closed shop’ working and therefore any comments are tainted by Thatcherite thinking’ End Quote.
Here we have again another example of both a ‘Closed Mind’ and the ability to have a myopic view on issues that the unions were (are) involved in.
The comment needs no response other than to correct this myth that only the ‘glorious knights, anointed by the grandee’s of Trades Union Brotherhood, whose task was to go forth and attack companies who refused to bend to their tactics. Never at any time did they consider there was another way. Any of the smaller unions where dismissed as of no consequence.
To make sure there is no mis-understanding of what roots I came from. I started in Engineering until completing my apprenticeship at 21. At that time I was expected to join the local lodge and swear allegiance to the union.
Yes ‘Poster anon’ I do know what its like to work in a closed shop. Strikes were common place and cross the line, well that was the end of your employment at that employer.
During my next 2 jobs I was heavily involved in local issues, for this I gained the nickname of ‘Red Robbo 2. For the next 10 years I was involved in all aspects of protecting the membership (Strangely from themselves at times)But there were always a 3rd way.
So please keep your comments to at least some semblance of common sense, don’t pass comments about people who patently you don’t know.
What the Vestas men need is solid and wise debate and support not comments that were prevalent in the 1980′s. It did not win the argue then and will certainly not will in the 21st century.
G R Cotterill Northwood.
In my 47 years experience as a union man……..Trade Unions always fight for the right to work and improved working conditions……….Companys always have a hidden adgenda.
I would guess that most of you that comment have no experience of ‘closed shop’ working and therefore any comments are tainted by Thatcherism
To Cllr Roger Mazillius
Fair point Cllr, couldn’t miss the opportunity to enter into a little light banter, within a very serious subject.
Regards
G R Cotterill Northwood.
Many thanks to Mr. Cotterill and “Another Trade Union Member” and of course to the Trade Union Member who originally replied to my posting.
There is really not much difference of opinion between us, (although Arthur Scargill was probably as interested in persuing his extreme left wing politics to bring down the Tory Government and the capitalist system as in securing a better deal for his members. Moderation by Trades Unions and Employers is the name of the game and must be the key to succesful partnerships giving fair deals to all parties.
I am much obliged by the striving to reflect this in these contributions to the orginal posting.
Just one point to Mr Cotterill, my use of the term “overnors” related ONLY to the likes of Bob Crow who came over here for their own purposes/agenda.It was never meant to apply to Island residents (like me) who live here but were not born here!
Best wishes to all, Roger Mazillius
Yes Arthur was right about the Mines being shut but he, in my opinion went about it the wrong way. The strike ballot would have made him a stronger Union leader or shown him it was not what his members wanted, we will never know.
I agree 100% that over the years things on this Island changed for the good of the workers by the constant presence of the Unions at the major sites, year after year trying to negotiate better terms and conditions. Most union members on this Island are not commies or lefties, they own, or are buying their homes, some have shares in companies, some have regular holidays abroad and all work hard for their pay. Yes normal people but they like a say in the way their chunk of life they are giving to the company is used. Not just wages but health and safety, holidays and sick pay etc. and in exchange give the best use of their skill.
Vestas have I am sure looked long and hard at the manufacturing of blades here on the Island and decided to move for a number of reasons and money is absolutely key in the decision Im sure. The decision to continue to build a development centre is still I hope a viable option, its 200 jobs we desperately need here.
Another trade union member.
Cllr. Roger Mazillius is correct when he states that what the Island needs are industries and with it jobs, what we do not need is for disputes to be hi-jacked by the by ‘high ranking Union Officers’ seeking to politicise, and by definition,to loose sight of the basics involved in the disputed area.
Unions can be useful in resolving area’s of contention within industries; however the local officers should be people with open minds, willing to broker peace not striding towards a ‘win at all costs’ attitude.
This type of mentality has has been the ruin of workplaces with the loss of many jobs.
Another part of the equation are the employers, it seems that since the mid eighties when ‘Shareholders and profit’ first started to come to prominence, managers were trained, to act in a restrictive and immoveable manner. Cutting costs was placed ahead of all social and human needs. Many managers were under massive strain to meet company financial goals. Yes this has for decades been used by bosses to line the ‘profit box’…but industrial history has shown that when employers and their employees work together to solve common issues it is for the long term benefit of all. Local agreements leave a legacy of stability providing that both sides act with respect and understanding of the others position.
I wish the employee’s at Vestas good luck in their fight to protect jobs. Don’t place too much credibility on the Government helping out; they are dead in the water, but will not take the honourable way out.
There is one final thing Cllr. not all ‘overnors’ are in the mould of the militant unionist you describe at the opening of your post. The vast majority of us contribute in many positive ways to the Island it’s our home as well, in fact some probably voted for you!!
G R Cotterill Northwood.
Arthur Skargill was also a Union Leader that nobody wanted……….but he was right !
I worked for a local factory for 35 years and without the strength of a ‘union’ the workforce there today would not be enjoying, paid holidays, visits to the doctor, sick pay, pensions, legal representation and many other benefits that most of the younger generation just take for granted. The unions fought for these ‘rights’ and the Vestas men are just fighting for the right to work. Support them in their efforts against this unscrupulous employer. They may never get their jobs back, but lets hope it will be a warning to other employers. And if its true, the blades they designed and made are not really suitable for the British market…..who made that mistake ?
Thank you for your comments Roger. I will agree Bob Crow is not a Union Leader that modern Trade Unions need. I think Vestas are quite able to understand the position on the Island and yes it may make them think twice about further investment but Im sure they are aware opportunities for “rent a protest” happen in all parts of the world and we are no different here.
Its down to Vesta profit in the end and we all know what ever the company if it can make more money it will.
Thanks for the view from our Tory councilor what about the Independent Councillor Mr Fuller.
A Trade Union member.
How to win friends and influence people. Well certainly not with rants like this original entry.
So we have the likes of Bob Crow and others of the Militant Tendency/Socialist Worker persuasion jumping on what for so many is a personal tragedy, for their own political ends. After the closure these political opportunists will return from whence they came secure in their own jobs and looking forward to the next class struggle. Loss of jobs – just a fact of life to enable them to grab a few minutes in the media spotlight!
I remember the queue of hopeful applicants when the first jobs roadshow was held at Quay Arts on a Saturday morning nearly 11 years ago. I knew quite a number of the applicants and spoke with several of them whilst they were queuing.
Some were from the Island’s boat-building industry which was suffering from a lack of orders (not enough wealthy people were placing orders for yachts etc), others were either existing or past workers at GKN/BHC (now there’s a name from the past who had regular redundancy “culls” over many years as the demand for their products ebbed and flowed) and others looking for a well paid job – and by Island standards these certainly were well paid.
I recall about 200 jobs were originally on offer with the expectation that these would double. Well Vestas and our labour market certainly delivered on that outcome – well done all round wouldn’t you say?
So 10 years of new jobs for many in a new technology delivering what became a rather controversial product – dividing political parties, communities and energy experts.
Of course manufacturing needs a sufficient demand to fund manufacturing costs including naturally enough wages. If that demand becomes insufficient or the costs of manufacture too expensive, then the owners of the business will take remedial action. This could include finding new markets for orders and reducing the cost base.
I do not know whether Vestas has taken these remedial steps with all the vigour needed to keep going on the Island but I hope they did at least try. We read and listen to media reports about quite lengthy talks with the Government but apparently either not enough enducements were on offer or the Board had made their mind up to close the factory as it is and concentrate manufacturing at a more cost effective location.
This happens the world over. For example, the
massive supply of clothing from India and China which has decimated our own clothing industry is just one example.
Whilst Mr. Crow’s very highly paid job and expenses would I am sure allow him the luxury of bespoke suits etc, I suspect most of us, including the Vestas workers and their families are more than happy to buy this amazingly good value clothing from Matalan, Tesco etc without, let’s face, it worrying about all those thousands of British jobs (for example those who used to supply M&S or BHS) lost over the past 10 years.
Many will recall the Trucast factory outside Ryde. Not too long ago it employed 400 – now it employs 40. Whose fault is that? I suppose you could blame the bosses who find they can manufature abroad for a fraction of the UK costs
(slumdog millionaires?.
We all move on. Before the present world-wide recession UK employment figures were at a record high (although somewhat massaged by G.Brown) even after all the previous job losses eg miners, steel-workers, heavy industry, clothing, footware manufacturing etc.
So as bad as it undoubtedly is, history has shown that new jobs will become available. Many may be at lower pay levels and some older workers will find redundancy retirement an option but life will go on. In the meantime all the help available must be given to those losing their jobs to find alternative work, tax credits, housing allowance etc. etc. The I.W.Council is certainly playing it’s part in providing this help.
The economy will revive, new orders in the manufacturing sector will be placed and employment will again increase.
Now a huge amount of effort by SEEDA,the IW Council and other agencies over at least two years convinced Vestas to locate the R&D facility on the Island. This is expected to eventually employ up to I think 200. It may well be, I would also think, that Vestas will keep a very slimmed down workforce going at their St. Cross factory to build blades or whatever for use at the R&D facility up the road.
Whether any of this will now take place against this hate-filled campaign by the hard left and others is I suspect now in the balance. If so, what a pity for the majority of this hard-working loyal workforce who before this campaign had at least some hope of seeing Vestas remaining as an Island employer even in a reduced capacity.
As I said earlier, the “overnors” will all be long gone on to their next target – “now what was the name of that factory on the Isle of Wight?”
This closure should not be about class politics Bob, that argument was lost in the ballot box decades ago. It should be about doing all that can be done to reach an accomodation with the employers to mitigate any un-avoidable economic move elsewhere by at least keeping their goodwill and showing them in the clearest possible terms that the Island is a good place for skilled manufacturing.
Have we collectively blown it? I hope not but if we have, in my opinion the responsibility will most certainly not be wholly on the shoulders of Vestas.
Cllr. Roger Mazillius.
Member, I.W.Council for Cowes South and Northwood
In response to post 4, It is fairly obvious to any clear minded person that I stated that there were many on the Island that must take their share of blame; Rubbishing the argument does nothing to support your case, unfortunately this type of response is prevalent in our society today.
Do you really think a company would spend 100′s of thousands of pounds building a factory with all its support infrastructure to to close it down on a whim? Some thing went seriously wrong at this plant, it’s highly likely we will never know the full facts, all we can hope for is that the work force can snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat.
In response to post 5 I am happy to concur with ‘A Trade Union Member’ the points he/she makes are all rightfully valid; except in relation to the NIMBY attitude of some sections of our community. Countless times over the years we on the Island have been robbed of new industries and with them jobs because of our reluctance to change.
I wish the workers at Vesta well,but time I fear is running out.
I think what you say is true Kermit but as I’m sure you already know a Trade Union is only as strong as it members. You need a solid membership on site and at least 65% behind you when you negotiate. That I believe is not the case at Vestas. I know they were anti union and its hard to get established in a new Company as they always tell the workers its not a Trade union firm and you know what that means if you join. In my union negotiations on the Island with a Company that had a solid Trade Union History we reps. could only get so much done but they had to talk to us in redundancies and agreements were honoured to by both sides. Yes its all to do with money as you said and yes the shop floor is the place where the axe falls first, but in the end the rot spreads and the managers get the same treatment.
Im not sure the Islands anti wind farms stance makes any difference I think its just cheaper to make them in China or the states. If we had said yes to all the turbines it would still have gone.
We have a many people that work at Vestas in Northwood what are the views of our 2 IW Ward councillors that reside in the village.
A Trade Union member.
So you are suggesting that they are closing the factory down because we voted not to have windfarms on this Island ? Their whole operation was to be based on selling just 3 turbines ? Rubbish. Let them try and erect some in the Lake District…….the ‘other’ Garden of England
Quote “Yes they have treated the workforce badly, but they are not alone in this we have other, not to far away employers that have reduced the workforce at a stroke in the last few years.”
I agree with the sentiments expressed in the above quote, however there are many on this Island that must take their share of blame for the Vesta company’s demise. Remember all protests that radiated into a full blown media frenzy? Facebook,Forums galore all were packed with venom and spite aimed at the company. Ask yourselves the question; If you are a company striving to keep your work force in work in a relatively new industry and then…you are prevented from developing in your own back yard, so to speak.
Those that took offence at the plans to build a wind farm were perfectly within their rights to express their views in whatever manner they wished (within the law) So it was to be, the argument was won and with it came consequences we
are now seeing down by the Medina.
I am sure the representatives of the work force argued long into the night to try to convince Vesta to change their plans, but having considerable experience in this type of negotiation I know that where ‘Money’ is concerned, the people on the shop floor are last in the line when decisions are made.
Weasel words, crocodile tears, Deep regret, are all part of the armoury that organisations use when they want to get rid of non profit making elements of an industry or way’s to cut costs. Look around the island there are many jobs that have been lost over the last 10 years or so, well before the ‘credit crunch’.
In respect of forcing the Government to rescue the company! It might be policy to encourage wind generation but it has to be at some one else’s expense. Unfortunately the ‘Medina 600′ will be the one’s that pay!!
Kermit.
I respect your views and yes you do have a good point to make……………..but, can VESTAS ‘ever’ be trusted in the future ?
I wouldnt risk working for them EVER.
We do need jobs on the Island, but not
that kind of outfit.
Same old story…….milk the Islanders for their skills in engineering and once manufacturing methods are set……
clear off to another part of the World and exploit some cheap labour.
Yes they have treated the workforce badly, but they are not alone in this we have other, not to far away employers that have reduced the workforce at a stroke in the last few years.
It may seem the way to get revenge is to stop them building the new Design site but it hurts us more this way.
Vesta’s may realise in the future that its better to design and manufacture on the same site. But even if they dont a whole new job opportunity for some will open on this new large design centre.
It should not be prevented from happening in fact I am more worried they will not build it!