Three Cheers for Workers Who Waged the Sit-In

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/12/11/three-cheers-for-workers-who-waged-the-sit-in/

by Tula Connell, Dec 11, 2008

Congratulations to workers at Republic Windows & Doors who made justice happen. After a six-day sit-in at the plant, workers at Republic Windows & Doors in Chicago voted to accept a settlement late last night.



This from the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) site, via Jobs with Justice:

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

* Eight weeks of pay they are owed under the federal WARN Act;
* 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. 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. In addition, the UE has started the “Window of Opportunity Fund” dedicated to re-opening the plant.

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

Initially, the Bank of America, after receiving $25 million in taxpayer bailout cash, cut off the company’s line of credit. The factory then closed and management told workers they would not receive severance and accrued vacation pay.

Workers at Republic Windows & Doors have won, but the struggle for autoworkers at the Big Three now depends upon how the U.S. Senate will vote on the bridge loan approved last night in the House.

Take a minute NOW to urge your senators to vote for the auto bridge loan.

:bounce::bounce::bounce:

opening a window manufacturing plant in iowa under her name? transferring equipment from chicago to iowa.......union busting.

hip hip hooray!