Factory Occupation at Republic Windows and Doors

[Toussaint]

Chicago factory occupied

Lee Sustar reports from Chicago on an occupation by workers who want what's
theirs from management and the Bank of America.

December 6, 2008

WORKERS OCCUPYING the Republic Windows & Doors factory slated for closure are
vowing to remain in the Chicago plant until they win the $1.5 million in
severance and vacation pay owed them by management.

In a tactic rarely used in the U.S. since the labor struggles of the
1930s, the workers, members of United Electrical, Radio and Machine
Workers of America
(UE) Local 1110, refused to leave the plant on December 5, its last scheduled
day of operation.

"We decided to do it because this is money that belongs to us," said Maria
Roman, who's worked at the plant for eight years. "These are our rights."

Word of the occupation spread quickly both among labor and immigrant rights
activists--the overwhelming majority of the workers are Latinos. Seven
local TV news stations showed up to do interviews and live reports, and a steady
stream of activists arrived to bring donations of food and money and to plan
solidarity actions.

Management claims that it can't continue operations because its main
creditor, Bank of America (BoA), refuses to make any more loans to the
company. After
workers picketed BoA headquarters December 3, bank officials agreed to sit
down with Republic management and UE to discuss the matter at a
December 5 meeting
arranged by U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill), said UE organizer Leah Fried.

BoA had said that it couldn't discuss the matter with the union directly
without written approval from Republic's management. But Republic
representatives failed to show up at the meeting, and plant managers prepared
to close the doors for good--violating the federal WARN Act that requires 60
days notice of a plant closure.

The workers decided this couldn't go unchallenged. "The company and Bank of
America are throwing the ball to one another, and we're in the middle," said
Vicente Rangel, a shop steward and former vice president of Local 1110.

Many workers had suspected the company was planning to go out of
business--and perhaps restart operations elsewhere. Several said
managers had removed both
production and office equipment in recent days.

Furthermore, while inventory records indicated there were plenty of parts in
the plant, workers on the production line found shortages. And the order
books, while certainly down from the peak years of the housing boom,
didn't square
with management's claims of a total collapse. "Where did all those windows
go?" one worker asked.

Workers were especially outraged that Bank of America, which recently
received a bailout in taxpayer money, won't provide credit to
Republic. "They get $25
billion from the government, and won't loan a few million to this company so
workers can keep their jobs?" said Ricardo Caceres, who has worked at the
plant for six years.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

THE MEMBERS of Local 1110 have a history of struggle. In 2004, they
decertified the Central States Joint Board--a union notorious for corruption and
sweetheart contracts with management--and brought in UE, a far more democratic
organization.

In May of this year, Local 1110 mobilized for a contract by organizing a
"practice" picket, and 70 workers used their lunch break to confront the boss
with a petition listing their demands. The workers were able to turn back
company's effort to win major concessions and won solid pay increases.Now,
management is trying to get revenge by pocketing money that belongs to the
workers.

UE officials and workers acknowledge that it will be difficult to stop the
plant from closing. But they're determined to get the money owed to them--and
they believe that by fighting, they can set an example for other workers
facing layoffs and plant closures as the recession deepens.

Negotiations are set for Monday, December 8. Whatever happens, however, the
workers have already sent a message to employers that if they violate workers
rights and the law, they can expect a fight.

"This is a message to the workers of America," said Vicente Rangel, the shop
steward. "If we stand together, we will prevail until justice is done, and we
get what we're due."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

What you can do

If you live in the Chicago area, come to a rally on Saturday, December 6,
at 12 Noon at Republic Windows, 1333 N. Hickory in Chicago, on Goose Island. If
negotiations with Bank of America fail to resolve the issue, there will be a
picket of BoA's Chicago headquarters at 231 S. LaSalle on Tuesday, December 9
at 12 noon.

Members of Local 1110 need your support. Make checks payable to the UE Local
1110 Solidarity Fund, and mail to: 37 S. Ashland, Chicago, IL 60607. Messages
of support can be sent to [e-mail]. For more information, call
UE at
312... .

At the Jobs with Justice Web site, you can send a message of protest to
Bank of America (http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/bankofamerica/).

[Toussaint]

Obama's comments on the factory occupation

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1318766,barack-obama-re...

Obama defends Republic Windows and Doors workers
Recommend (16)
Comments

December 7, 2008

BY ABDON PALLASCH Sun-Times Political Reporter

President-elect Barack Obama put himself on the side of the workers at the Republic Windows and Doors factory Sunday:

“When it comes to the situation here in Chicago with the workers who are asking for their benefits and payments they have earned, I think they are absolutely right,” Obama said Sunday at a news conference announcing his new Veterans Affairs director. “What’s happening to them is reflective of what’s happening across this economy.

“When you have a financial system that is shaky, credit contracts. Businesses large and small start cutting back on their plants and equipment and their workforces. That’s why it’s so important for us to maintain a strong financial system. But it’s also important for us to make sure that the plans and programs that we design aren’t just targeted at maintaining the solvency of banks, but they are designed to get money out the doors and to help people on Main Street. So, number one, I think that these workers, if they have earned their benefits and their pay, then these companies need to follow through on those commitments.

“Number two, I think it is important for us to make sure that, moving forward, any economic plan we put in place helps businesses to meet payroll so we are not seeing these kinds of circumstances again,’’ he said. “Have we done everything that we can to make sure credit is flowing to businesses and to families, and to students who are trying to get loans? And to homeowners who have been making payments on their homes but are still finding their property values so depressed that it becomes very difficult for them to make the mortgage payments?

“That’s where the rubber hits the road and that’s going to be the central focus of my administration.”

[$-Money]

Let's do a Field trip of solidarity with these courageous workers! Anyone interested in going up after business hours on Monday?

[Alexandra H.]

Looks like there will be a protest in front of Bank of America's HQ tomorrow at noon if they don't come to an agreement, this is a good way to show support:

Chicago factory occupation: Workers say "Fight back!"

Rally on Wednesday, Dec 10 at noon at Bank of America 231 S. LaSalle Avenue in Chicago.

Chicago, IL - Sunday night, Dec. 7 in Chicago brought more good news to the workers occupying the Republic Windows and Glass factory . The enormous outpouring of support was instantly noticed in the front room outside the worker-guarded doors by the wall to wall notes of solidarity from the hundreds of people who have come by. The workers described how happy they were to get Reverend Jesse Jackson's support earlier in the day and the cheers that happened in the cafeteria when they heard about President-elect Obama's statement of support for their cause. They then set their sights on getting Governor Blagojevich to weigh in on the demands for the over $1 million owed these 200 workers.

There was talk that Monday would bring a proposal to the Chicago City Council to take its money out of Bank of America until the Republic workers' demands are met. The meeting is still set for Monday at 4:00 with Republic representatives, Bank of America and the workers.

The Tuesday rally planned has been expanded to an even larger rally on Wednesday, Dec 10 at noon at Bank of America headquarters 231 S LaSalle Avenue in Chicago.

The workers are noticeably more organized and more confident as they do filmed interviews just outside the worker secured doors. Passersby come in with small bakery boxes of cupcakes at the same time that restaurant owners carry in carloads of prepared food. A cardboard donation box sits on a chair by the door and later SEIU Local 73 called in their support with a check of $2000.

Vice-president of UE Local 1110, Melvin Macklin, outside briefly for a cigarette in the sub-zero weather explained that inside the plant is still an estimated $3 to 5 million of inventory and that they do not believe that the company has been honest with them about its finances. He laughs with the other workers; Ron Bender with 14 years at the plant, Luis Moreno also with 14 years and Erik Ramos with 15 and a half years that they will not let the company change names, declare bankruptcy or any other trick to get out of their responsibilities. When asked how he felt when he got the news earlier this week, he answered "Shafted!" When asked what message he was sending he said, "Fight back!"

[$-Money]

Awesome! Headed out to Republic last night after work, and it was pretty quiet save for the requisite camera-crews and aldermen trying to get some cheap press. This looks like it should be a nice event that people can stop by during their lunch breaks.

Alexandra H. said:

[Toussaint]

Can anyone else come to this? I'll be bringing some folks from the University of Chicago with me...

CHICAGO RALLY: Wednesday, Dec 10, Bank of America Headquarters
Noon, 231 S. La Salle St (downtown)

[Toussaint]

http://www.ueunion.org/uenewsupdates.html?news=438

'Yes' Vote at Republic: Workers Get Pay, Plant Occupation Ends

CHICAGO

After the conclusion of negotiations Wednesday evening, the membership of Local 1110, more than 200 workers, met in the plant cafeteria to hear and consider the tentative settlement that had been worked out by UE negotiators over the past three days.

The settlement was approved by a unanimous vote.
'Justice - We Did It!'

Following the vote, the UE members, led by Local President Armando Robles, marched out of the plant, chanting “We did it!” in English and Spanish.

Pres. Robles stepped to the microphones outside the front entrance to the plant, where a throng of reporters and cameras had been waiting. He announced the end of the occupation and said that justice had been achieved.

UE Western Region President Carl Rosen then described the negotiations, summarized the settlement agreement, and commented on the significance of the struggle and the achievement.
Pay, Health Care, Vacation Pay

The settlement totals $1.75 million. It will provide the workers with:

* eight weeks of pay they are owed under the federal WARN Act;
* provided with two months of continued health coverage, and;
* pay for all accrued and unused vacation.

JPMorgan Chase will provide $400,000 of the settlement, with the balance coming from Bank of America.
Third Party Fund

Although the money will be provided as a loan to Republic Windows and Doors, it will go directly into a third-party fund whose sole purpose is to pay the workers what is owed them.

As the Local 1110 leaders characterized the settlement, “We fought to make them pay what they owe us, and we won.”
'Historic Victory'

UE Director of Organization Bob Kingsley spoke on behalf of the National Union, describing the outcome of the occupation as “a victory for workers everywhere,” and as “an historic victory for America’s labor movement.”

Kingsley went on to call the settlement “a win for all working men and women who face uncertainty, unfairness and job loss in a troubled economy.”
'The Window of Opportunity' Foundation

Kingsley then announced the creation of a new foundation, dedicated to reopening the plant. It will be initiated with seed money from the UE national union and the thousands of dollars of donations to the UE Local 1110 Solidarity Fund that have come in from across the country and around the world in just the past five days.

Melvin Maclin of Local 1110 announced the name of the foundation, which was chosen by the workers themselves: the Window of Opportunity Fund. Maclin said that the fund will be open to receive donations from all friends of the Republic workers and supporters of their struggle.

Rosen introduced U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, praising the congressman for his tireless work in behalf of the Republic workers and indispensible role in bringing about the settlement. Gutierrez spoke at some length, and then introduced David Rudis, Illinois State President, Bank of America. In a statement to reporters, Rep. Gutierrez said, "This money will only be used to pay the workers the benefits they are owed under the law, and it will not under any circumstance be used for corporate bonuses, luxury cars or any other perk for the owners of the plant."