Workers Vote to Get Pay; Occupation Ends!
After 6 days occupying the plant, workers at Republic Window and Doors in Chicago voted to accept a settlement late on December 10th.
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.
Workers Vote to Get Pay; Occupation Ends!
After 6 days occupying the plant, workers at Republic Window and Doors in Chicago voted to accept a settlement late on December 10th.
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. Find out how to donate at below.
As the Local 1110 leaders characterized the settlement, "We fought to make them pay what they owe us, and we won." Read more about the settlement here: http://www.ueunion.org/...
The tremendous support and solidarity from the thousands of people around the country - and the world - who took the time to send messages to Bank of America and who rallied at banks across the country was crucial in winning this victory.
This is truly an historic victory for workers in the United States.
But this struggle is just the beginning! As the economic crisis deepens we need to launch a working class fight back. Rallies for a "People's Bailout" will continue today and throughout the rest of the week. Click here to find an action near you - updates daily: http://www.jwj.org/... You can also take action online:
- Tell Congress: We Demand a People's Bailout:
http://www.unionvoice.org/...
- Save Autoworker Jobs:
http://www.unionvoice.org/...
- VOTE NOW for Grinch of the Year
http://www.jwj.org/...
You can see photos, video, and press clips from the Week of Action here: http://www.jwj.org/...
BACKGROUND
On Friday December 5th, the workers of Republic Windows and Doors, members of UE Local 1110, occupied their factory, which was due to close at 10:00 AM. The workers were fighting for pay for their lost vacation days and for the 75 days notice that they are guaranteed under Illinois law. This is the first time in many years workers have taken the bold, militant strategy of occupying their place of work to demand justice.
Only weeks after taking $25 Billion in bailout money, Bank of America turned its back on hundreds of workers making energy efficient doors and windows in Chicago by refusing to continue credit to Republic Windows and Doors. To make matters even worse than putting 300 people out of work, Bank of America has instructed Republic to refuse to pay workers compensation they are legally entitled to, either earned vacation pay or the severance pay legally required under the WARN Act, in lieu of proper notice of plant closing.
Like many other 'titans of Wall street,' Bank of America, Key Bank and others are taking their bailout -- supposedly meant to allow credit to get our economy moving again -- and using it to take over other banks, pay bonuses to executives and dividends to shareholders... just about everything except helping businesses continue to employ workers.
DONATE
To donate to the workers' "Window of Opportunity Fund":
Local 1110, UE Hall
37 S. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60607