Laid Off Workers Refuse To Leave Chicago Factory

CHICAGO — Workers who got three days' notice that their factory was shutting its doors have occupied the building and say they won't go home without assurances they'll get severance and vacation pay.

About 250 union workers occupied the Republic Windows and Doors plant in shifts Saturday while union leaders outside criticized a Wall Street bailout they say is leaving laborers behind.

Leah Fried, an organizer with the United Electrical Workers, said the Chicago-based vinyl window manufacturer failed to give 60 days' notice required by law before shutting down.

During the two-day peaceful takeover, workers have been shoveling snow and cleaning the building, Fried said.

"We're doing something we haven't done since the 1930s, so we're trying to make it work," she said, referring to a tactic most famously used in 1936-37 by General Motors factory workers in Flint, Mich., to help unionize the U.S. auto industry.

Fried said the company can't pay its 300 employees because its creditor, Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America, won't let them. Crain's Chicago Business reported that Republic Windows' monthly sales had fallen to $2.9 million from $4 million during the past month. In a memo to the union, obtained by the business journal, Republic CEO Rich Gillman said the company had "no choice but to shut our doors."

Bank of America received $25 billion from the government's financial bailout package. The company said in a statement Saturday that it isn't responsible for Republic's financial obligations to its employees.

"Across cultures, religions, union and nonunion, we all say this bailout was a shame," said Richard Berg, president of Teamsters Local 743. "If this bailout should go to anything, it should go to the workers of this country."

Story continues below

advertisement

Outside the plant, protesters wore stickers and carried signs that said, "You got bailed out, we got sold out."

The Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a civil rights group, announced in a news release Saturday that Jesse Jackson planned to visit the workers Sunday morning to offer his support.

Larry Spivack, regional director for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31, said the peaceful action will add to Chicago's rich history in the labor movement, which includes the 1886 Haymarket affair, when Chicago laborers and anarchists gathering in a square on the city's west side drew national attention after an unidentified person threw a bomb at police.

"The history of workers is built on issues like this here today," Spivack said.

Representatives of Republic Windows did not immediately respond Saturday to calls and e-mails seeking comment.

Police spokeswoman Laura Kubiak said authorities were aware of the situation and officers were patrolling the area.

Workers were angered when company officials didn't show up for a meeting Friday that had been arranged by U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a Chicago Democrat, Fried said. Union officials said another meeting with the company is scheduled for Monday afternoon.

"We're going to stay here until we win justice," said Blanca Funes, 55, of Chicago, after occupying the building for several hours. Speaking in Spanish, Funes said she fears losing her home without the wages she feels she's owed. A 13-year employee of Republic, she estimated her family can make do for three months without her paycheck. Most of the factory's workers are Hispanic.

Comments

[smallfish]

we have people who want to work. we have people who want their products. what's the problem...­..i think it's all those finance people who suck the life out of everything like vampires. they say they are doing it for the stock holders, but in reality they are doing it for themselves. wall street should be stripped. that kudlow guy in cnbc should be tarred and feathered. those people don't add value to anything. they lie, cheat and steal.

[geobushono]

Here's a letter from someone apparently familiar with the dynamics of this situation.
Thw writer's name is Abby Ono

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=32111

[geobushono]

So the company plans to burn the workers, close the doors and move the machinery to Matamoros?
Stay tuned.

[munki]

How can we stop foreclosures and economic meltdown if BOA is not lending...
despite the fact they got taxpayers money... are we their investor now?
Then... do the right thing!

[ChicagoSuz]

Hey, I'm in Chicago.

What can I do to help?

[rugbymom]

See the union link above. My understanding is that food or money are always welcome. Also letters to the editor, supportive phone calls to talk radio, and maybe just showing up.

[ChicagoSuz]

Thanks for the link... You can sign a petition there.

I'm gonna keep researching this. It's a disgrace!! I thought the whole point of bailing out the banks was to prevent this kind of thing from happening; not to cause it.

It's especially sad that all these layoffs are taking place right before Christmas. It is the season for Miracles..­. I think that's what it'll take...

[Chibikim]

If you have an account with Bank Of America, cancel it and take it to another bank.

[GreekFire]

n a "Let Them Eat Cake"-esque scenario, when asked about his White House years, president Bush said he had a lot of fun and he'll miss his personal chef and riding Air Force One the most. Mrs. Bush said that, for Christmas this year, they bought themselves a house in a tony North Dallas suburb.

You know, history may not always repeat itself, but it rhymes. This is how revolutions start; when the worker is pushed to the point of civil unrest and The Powers That Be are oblivious to the plight of those less fortunate.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

Please keep in mind the American people voted for Bush twice. They wanted to stay the course with Bush. They have been told to wait on the trickle down from the tax-cut rich give you through new jobs.

I think the American people have to admit Bush has destroyed America with his flag pin on his suit.

The also need to be like gravy on rice to any republican coming into the 111th Congress in 2009 that even think of any type of a filibuster to block Obama's proposals to spend spend spend to backup the BUS out of the hugh hole and start heading our sorry behinds to a higher ground of unity in American.

The republicans have loaded their pockets keeping Americans divided for years now we are heading to the homeless shelters, it they keep this up, the few rich people will have left the USA for Dubia and all the wealth made from American tax payers.

[RJII]

and yet still some of these Bush voters/supporters still think giving the rich most of the tax breaks and loopholes, bailout money, etc. is the best way. They shouted down Obama at rallies because he proposed increasing taxes by a mere 3% on the rich and decreasing them on the middle class. It's like they've been brain washed by the rich part of the GOP.

Anyway, I feel these people need to roll up their sleeves, just like all of us, and help Obama figure this mess out. I will lose it, if the GOP old guard gets in the way. They have destroyed this country with their divisiveness and hostililty and arrogance towards the world, science, intelligence, arrugula, etc.

[forebode]

You know, history may not always repeat itself, but it rhymes. This is how revolutions start; when the worker is pushed to the point of civil unrest and The Powers That Be are oblivious to the plight of those less fortunate.


Even if the Powers That Be AREN'T oblivious to the plight of those less fortunate, they better always remembered they are outnumbered by the less fortunate. LET THE REVOLUTION BEGIN!!!
WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[forebode]

YES!!! REVOLUTION!!! BRING IT ON!!! WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!!!!!

[blkbtrfly1]

Wow...What a sad state of affairs. January 20 can't come soon enough.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

Even when it arrives, if WE the People have a mind set one man will do all the work, this one black man didn't drive the "Bus of the Cliff", those who voted for Bush to stay the course and his side kicks republicans to block any progress to make Speaker of the House Nancy Polocia to appear weak, she was correct not to hold an impeachment hearing. Too many republican votes were required to win. It would have just wasted tax payers money. Like they did with Clinton spending millions, we are still paying on that debt.

[Trebor1]

Maurice Seger wrote a song named "Sit Down!" Tom Juravich sang it on his "Rising Again" album. Great labor/protest song. You might want to get a used copy of an out of print book named "Sabotage in the American Work Place." Workers must demand their own justice, as justice delayed is justice denied.

[StellaDuBois]

Sabotage is not the way to do it. Slowing down, sitting down or picketing are.

[wadda]

It depends how bad it gets.

While some may think it extreme, on the scale of things to do sabotage still falls below garrotage.

[Cambridge9]

I can't remember how many years ago the story was told of workers taking over a comapny (I think in New England somewhere) and began operating it. It flourished because it gave each worker a reason to make it work. And if I'm not mistaken there was also an airline that was either bought out or bought into by it's employees but I don't know how that made out. When workers have a share in a company (instead of just working to make sommeone else rich) the morale is up and teamwork becomes the norm.

Like our President-elect has so often reminded us. "Change comes from the bottom up."

[MadeinAmericaProud]

I am not sure of your story to add, but I do recall Avis Rent-A-Car became employee own years ago, so far so good.

I also agree, PE Obama won big on that mandate. He won this election from the bottom up. The change came from the people, now he is ready to lead up it we are ready to keep it going to take our country back. Big Corporation better get their poop package correctly because we want transparent dealing in the White-house and PE Obama has announced that is is style be on the look out.

This will stop the corrupt media from using unsourced leakers to keep lies flying around.(he a muslim,un-american quilt by association) It will all be on the records. We won't need an overpaid middle man.

[Kane]

It will be interesting to see if this is an isolated event or if it's a sign of things to come across the country. Such events have the potential of motivating others to take action.

It's a promising sign for those yearning for change. The possibilities of what can be accomplished are endless if everyday people get involved.

This is why I don't buy into all of the "blind followers of Barack Obama" rhetoric, and why I find such talk offensive. It's not my belief in Obama that has me inspired, rather it's my belief in the American people and in the renewal of their "can do spirit" and "Yes we can" attitude.

Barack Obama may have provided the vehicle, but ultimately it will be the people who will fuel the movement and determine how far we will go.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

The baby boomers did it that way. Until Richard Nixon and his corrupt gang, Ronald Reagan pull yourself up by your boot straps and wait for the trickle, busted the air traffic controllers unions, all other unions followed and the Bush Sr started the ball rolling on free trade agreements that were always unfair to the American workers with tax breaks given to big corporations to transfer jobs overseas.

The American people are sick and tried of being sick and tried of being lied to and they are ready to change from the ground up. Yes we can, is a much better mind set.

[forebode]

It will be interesting to see if this is an isolated event or if it's a sign of things to come across the country. Such events have the potential of motivating others to take action.

Companies who think they can get away with giving their employees short notice of laying them off, then not paying them severance and vacation pay can look forward to having their plant taken over, and the employees who know where the owners and/or CEOs live, block them from leaving their mansion.

WORKERS' REVOLUTION!!!! BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!! WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE, AND DESTROY THEIR HARD MASTERS!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!

[rabiddog6708]

Sorry ex-workers but this might work if the company was still running a diminished operation, but they have shut their doors, so you are merely occupying a closed shop. They can wait you out. The unions have no real bargaining power anymore...­.sad, but true.

[FightForJustice]

They are deserving of their final week's wages, severance, and vacation pay. And unless this company has absolutely zero funds, then in my opinion these obligations are the very first obligations that should be met. And the books should be scoured to find the money...as opposed to the company being advised by Bank of America on the front end of this situation to ignore their obligations to the workers.

[Emlyn]

Yes, they are deserving of their wages. The Bank of America got $25 billion dollars - hell, it can surely help these people. I wonder where the $25 billion went to? Pay the corporate executors their bonsues? I think the Bank of America should advise the USA where they spent that money? I bet it didn't go to the workers.

[forebode]

then in my opinion these obligations are the very first obligations that should be met. And the books should be scoured to find the money...as opposed to the company being advised by Bank of America on the front end of this situation to ignore their obligations to the workers.

It needs to be taken out of the pockets of the owner and/or CEO, whatever it takes, even a threat of public lynching if they don't get their due pay, severence, and vacation pay.

Of course, I am ALWAYS for the unions against the employer. It comes from a lifetime of mistreatment by employers.

One thing I want to say to CEOs who think they can get away with laying people off on short notice, you are outnumbered by your own workers. If they want to lynch you, I would cheer them on, and lend them a hand. You better just obey your workers and hand the due pay over to them if you know what's good for you. If you don't know what's good for you, CEOs/corporation owners, and you lay your people off on short notice, you have broken labor law, and you deserve whatever horrifying end comes to you.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

the company have broken the law. Group together for a labor lawyer for a class action suit to stop the flow of job losses. At lease show them how to file for a government grant to purchase the business to take it over.

[Jonni Rae]

Not true. The unions always have power, if they choose to use it. This situation right here is an object lesson for all you anti-union people out there who think unions are the problem.. They are the solution. Union means joined together. That's what we need to do. I am writing my reps today, and the change.gov. site.

[larry278]

The sit-in strike of the 1930's lives again despite the MSM ignoring this one. The MSM needs stories, newer stories. The sit-in or sit-down strike is new to 21st century America. Some reporters are going to pick up this story & use it to save their jobs. There are blogs now. Reporters scan blogs. When a reporter shows that HUFFINGTON POST has X many comments on this blog & other sites have a great number of comments on this story-it will be used by the more traditional MSM post haste. It's hard to find stories for Sunday & Monday editions of newspapers; the editors will use this story. It could sell papers. If an edition of a paper doesn't sell-the editor may be out of a job when the paper folds. You have to have single copy sales to keep up circulation stats. Low circulation stats mean fewer & lower priced ads.
Somebody is bound to see this story & use it in their blute. Out of town papers will pick it up to taunt the Trib & Sun-Times. When the story appears in the Sunday LITTLE ROCK [Arkansas] FLATULENT PACHADERM, somebody is going to wire the story via AP to Chicago. When the CHICAGO DEFENDER & a few suburban blutes use it somebody at the Trib & Sun-Times will also use it. Whom ever buys either paper will need to hire new reporters & editor to increase single copy sales. Right, Mr Murdoch?

[StellaDuBois]

This received media coverage in Chicago and Detroit yesterday and is already out on the AP wire.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

the MSM is lazy. They want to be like rush limb, ann coulter , sean h. etc to sit on the large behinds making big bucks to give sound bites opinions to people who brains only have a few cells working.
Their brain elevator is stuck in the basement of the brain.

They want to be told information like their parents told them when they were children because they did not get a legal educations. they can not read. Those who can not read can not trust.

[forebode]

Coulter does have a legal education, but as a right winger, she is likely to use it maliciously.
I don't associate ANYTHING good with the right wing. Right wing=malice, bullying, greed, theft from the poor to give to the rich, cheating, lying, betrayal, always taking the wrong ethical and moral side of the issue, ignoring reality, blaming the victim, cowardly denial, cowardice, period. Right wing=Satanic.

[Truth4Voters]

It is management conduct like this that demonstrates exactly why we need Unions in the first place.

[FightForJustice]

Please update this story with Bank Of America's hand in this. The Bank of America we the people gave $25 billion to through TARP. The Bank of America that pulled this company's credit line and forced them into dissolution (remember why we HAD TO LEND MONEY to save Wall Street...b­ecause if we didn't then small businesses would lose their lines and of credit and people would lose their jobs.)

From a local teachers' union official:

The United Electrical Workers at Republic Window and Door were notified on Wednesday that as of Friday, they were jobless. No severance. No vacation pay-out, as per their union contract. Nothing. Why? Because the business had plunged into dissolution, and Bank of America was instructing them not to honor their obligations.

I am standing in solidarity with these workers and calling Bank of America on Monday and telling them they either make this right or I'm closing my checking and savings account.

[FightForJustice]

At the Jobs with Justice Web site, you can send a message of protest to Bank of America.

http://nyc.indymedia.org/...

[ema]

Bank of America just bought Merill Lynch with our money.

[easarsfield]

Why the hell are we lending banks money without stipulations and oversight? Oh that's right, we still have people in charge that believe in small government and deregulating.

This is just the beginning. Things are going to get really hard over the next couple of months.

[TakeSake]

Put things in perspective here. Bank of America has higher priorities with that money they got from the government.

Have you no sympathy?

There are children of Bank of America executives who will go this Christmas without a new yacht! Without a new Escalade! Without even a mere 1/10 of what Sarah Palin got in new clothes!