Chicago workers' sit-in becomes rallying point

CHICAGO — Chicago workers in the third day of a sit-in on the floor of their former workplace peered through the windows of a door Sunday, amazed by a mix of supporters, politicians and journalists who packed a foyer outside.

"We never expected this," said Melvin Maclin, a factory employee and vice president of the local union that represents the workers. "We expected to go to jail."

The 200 workers demanding severance and vacation pay have become a national symbol for thousands of employees laid off nationwide as the economy continues to sour. They occupied the plant of their former employer, Republic Windows and Doors, after the company abruptly fired them last week.

At a news conference Sunday, President-elect Barack Obama said Republic should follow through on its commitments to its workers.

"The workers who are asking for the benefits and payments that they have earned, I think they're absolutely right and understand that what's happening to them is reflective of what's happening across this economy," Obama said.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered turkeys to the workers, pledging the support of his Chicago-based civil rights group, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

"These workers deserve their wages, deserve fair notice, deserve health security," Jackson said. "This may be the beginning of long struggle of worker resistance finally."

Leah Fried, an organizer for the United Electrical Workers union that represents the workers, said the company told the union that Bank of America has canceled its financing.

Story continues below

advertisement

Bank of America received $25 billion as part of a government bailout. Some workers carried signs Sunday that said: "You got bailed out. We got sold out."

The bank had said in a statement Saturday that it wasn't responsible for Republic's financial obligations to its employees. Republic has not commented on the sit-in.

Meanwhile, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said in a news release late Sunday that she had representatives at the factory investigating the closure.

"I am extremely concerned with the actions of this company, which are having a significant impact on employees and their families," Madigan said.

One of the factory's workers, Silvia Mazon, said in Spanish that she needs the money owed to her for an $1,800 monthly house payment. The 40-year-old from Cicero said she has enough money saved to survive for one month.

"We're making history," she said.

Patrick Tyrrell, 22, of Chicago, visited the workers Saturday and returned the next day with home-cooked beans, rice, chicken and soup. Tyrrell said he felt he wanted to help, in part, because his grandfather was an electrical union member.

"This is an impressive historical event," he said.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an Illinois Democrat, called it the start of a movement. "This story has resonated around the world," she said.

___

Associated Press writer Philip Elliott in Chicago contributed to this report.

Comments

[BSERIUS]

1) Republic not BOA are the scum here 2) This is what Jesse Jackson does and shuld be commended 3) Jan Shakowsky is the one who is only here for the Photo - op

[johnnygoodwud]

t.v. cameras= jessie jackson

[smag]

I hope Jesse doesn't take his knife with him.

[TexHorns]

What does Jesse know about factories and working? Been on a lifelong scam spouting Jesus and race. What a con man!

[Shashi0224]

Wait are you talking about George Bush?? The qualities sure match! Oh, except add the fact that bush was born to privilege and never had to do a hard days work in his life. Even in the White House!! The man, Bush, was on vacation more than at work and look how he still managed to screw everything up!

[Chris]

If the comapny has no money then how can it pay it's employees? But hey at least the "rev" can feel relevant again.

The bank is right, they have no obligation to the employees of the company. They have a bidnign agreement with the comapny in regards to availability of funds. If the company is not meeting there end of the agreement then the bank should not be providing funds. Plain and simple.

Legally are the workers contracts gauranteed? Does the union agreement state how a closure would be handle? If the answer is no then there is no legal obligation here.

[hortonhearsawho]

and you under no legal authority to feed your children either...tell them that next time they are hungry.

[frynpan]

Good one! The banks froze up the credit that drove this company that had been in business for 40 years under. This is no time for them to hoard their resources, resources that have come from taxpayers.... those folks at Republic are taxpayers to you know.

[Elderlady]

Sometimes you find courage where you least expect it.

Hang in there workers.

Thanks for helping out Reverend Jackson. Someone has to show some compassion for these folks.

And, for sure, someone will have to feed them.

[PATina]

Agreed !!!!

[Brillig]

There was no need for the workers to get shafted.

If you are laying off staff you
a) give them adequate notice and /or
b) pay them up - vacation and/or any redundancy pay.

Now some bloggers feel the BANK is at fault.
If so, that is plain wrong and the BANK should be sanctioned.

Another has some evidence to suggest that the WIndows factory is pulling a fast one on the workers - going elsewhere under a new name.

If so, where are the LABOR LAWS?

Finally, why are companies relying on credit to pay workers? If the company has been in operation for several years, surely there is SAVINGS set aside for wages, new infrastructure etc.?

CREDIT is what is ruining AMERICA. Does anyone in the US actually have their OWN name on a title of ANYTHING?

[PATina]

My firm laid off some workers last month. They received no notice. They came in to work as usual... and representatives from management came around w/ boxes... told them to pack their stuff... gave them a cab voucher... and escorted them out of the building.

Their rationale for no notice is that people, on hearing that they are losing their jobs, will destroy company property and/or files. Since we don't have a union... there is no guaranteed severance... and we "earn" any days off as we work throughout the year... so they got nothing (except their health care was still effective until the end of the month).

It is so sad how these companies treat employees that have worked hard at making them a profit.

[Brillig]

And I am getting tired of people talking about mortgage as if they are paying money.

you need to live somewhere where you are paying 75,000 a month for mortgage - while earning 150,000 -don't talk about exchange rate please, because in US dollars that would be about 2500. And try finding a house for less if you dare.

So who are you wussies living in the great USA who can't afford a mortgage of 1800? The real problem you are having - you built a nation on the backs of slaves - FREE LABOR- and your employers are trying to get away with it again.

Only, just as BLACK is the new white - the blue collar worker is the new slave.

[mjb5406]

I posted this in another story about this, but it's worth repeating:

It came out Sunday that the scum that owns Republic Window & Door in Chicago recently incorporated a new company, Echo Windows, in Red Oak, Iowa, telling workers there that they are going to double their workforce and bring in equipment from "another facility that is being shut down". Looks like these jerks are shafting the Chicago staff, planning to move the Republic equipment to Iowa. They refuse to answer questions, and refuse to meet with the workers.

[frynpan]

Thanks for that! I hope the workers in Chicago keep it up and are supported.

[frynpan]

Here is the link to the story with more details about Echo Windows;
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-window-company-protest-08-dec08,0,622291.story

[josephiatron]

Right on you guys! Where do we send donations?

[LMPE]

It's good that they're standing up for their rights, and that people are standing up for them.

[mjwang]

quit worrying about Jessie. Let's hope someone in Chicago sets up a way to help these people sit out the owners, and more importantly, the banks. I would certainly send them a donation for their courage. This is the only way things will change. And we all need to put the banks, the legislators, and any group receiving bailout money on notice that the money they are receiving will be used to help workers not top management.

[newworldman777]

What kind of salaries were these people getting? An assembly-line worker (who can't speak English) who earns enough to purchase a house with an $1,800 per month note? Come on, people.

These hard times are opening all of our eyes to the fact that many, many Americans are out of synch with the rest of the world regarding their earnings. Here in Mississippi, we survive on far less than what Northerners are used to earning -- especially those in the auto-manufacturing industry. Of course, our cost-of-living is lower down here, but when all is said and done, they wind up with far more than what we do. Our country will soon level itself out, earnings-wise, out of pure necessity, in order to remain a viable competitor on the world stage. Unfortunately, many will have to get used to earning far less that what they are currently earning. If you want to learn how to survive on small paychecks, then ask a Mississippian. We are experts on that subject.

[twistedboomer]

Ok bud. Let's take your job and send it to China. They are even MORE expert than Mississippians in learning how to survive on paychecks 1/10 of yours.

In China, YOU would be a rich man!!! So, the company needs to stay competitve right? Tough luck. Your job just disappeared in the name of Capitalist profit-making.

[frynpan]

Your cost of living in Mississippi is also soooo much less. And you don't have the harsh winters to contend with. Have lived in the south and north east and believe me you have no idea how much more it costs to live up here.

[PATina]

You obviously are in the dark about how these banks steered people into adjustable rate mortgages to make higher profits. Just to enlighten you on the subject... I had a cousin who bought a house and her original mortgage payment was $600. After two years... her rate adjusted and she was paying $900. The very next year... she was paying $1200. In four years... her mortgage had doubled. And she speaks English. It is very understandable how someone who speaks little English got rooked into a mortgate she could originally afford... only for the payments to double on her later. You seem to think that because she's paying $1,800/month... she has a nice house. That's not necessarily the case.

[thankulord13]

I hope Jackson does get involved because this is a shame... Bank of America gets what they need from the people but they won't help the people. We should take our 25 billion back. Those greedy B@#$%^d!

[archanjo]

I am no JJ fan, I will probably never be forgiving enout to dismiss what he say about President Obama, but I definitely support his move to support the American worker. Bail Out bank Of America, they get their Xmas bonuses and the workers of Republic get shafted?? Oh hell no!!! I am self employed but you can believe I will support them materially to with something.

We need to support these workers wherevere it happens. The movement is US.

[thankulord13]

Get over it!