Idled workers occupy Chicago factory

[DainBramaged]

Workers who got three days’ notice that their factory was closing have occupied the building and say they won’t leave without assurances they’ll get severance and vacation pay.
About 250 union workers occupied the Republic Windows and Doors plant in shifts today 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 maker failed to give 60 days’ notice required by law before shutting down.


During the two-day 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 to 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.”


http://www.freep.com/article/20081206/NEWS07/81206030

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Bravo for the workers, and you can bet this will happen

more and more often

Labor is waking up

[dkf]

2. But what will this do?

I guess its bad PR for BofA but if there's no $ the company can't do much.

What leverage do you have against a bankrupt company?

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. The company violated the contract

against the particular company, actually the leverage is that now they control the assets... which means when the company sells them, they need to split them with labor

[dkf]

4. So what does their leaving or not leaving do?

Is it also just PR?

On edit: Wouldn't bankruptcy law be pretty cut and dried on what happens next? I imagine there is some sort of precedence on what things get paid out first, etc. Is there leeway on this?

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. There is always some leeway

and it is partly PR.

But the reality is that labor needs to start doing things like this REGULARLY.

Show itself to be more than just willing to take it in the chin

[anigbrowl]

7. Seems like it caught them by surprise too...sue BofA, I figure

[madrchsod]

5. one thing is for sure

the next president of the usa has been informed of what is happening. it`s not the owners fault it`s the fucking bank. to bad the bank does`t realize they are violating a federal law...

[babydollhead]

8. and

This Newstip edited by Curtis Black
Contact: 312-344-7783 | fax [phone] | [e-mail]

Credit Crunch Threatens Local Plant
Newstip Date: 11-26-2008

The credit crunch -- and the failure of big banks to use federal bailout funds to free up credit -- could hit a local manufacturer, where workers were told denial of routine credit by Bank of America could force them to close down.

Clergy and community supporters joined workers from Republic Windows and Doors, 1333 N. Hickory, who picketed Bank of America on LaSalle Street yesterday, demanding that bailout money be used to keep Republic's credit line open.

On Monday morning Republic managers told the plant's union committee that they would be unable to continue operations unless they could get credit needed to buy materials and make payroll, said Mark Meinster of United Electrical Workers, which represents most of the plant's 300 workers.

"This is really what the bailout money should be going to," Meinster said. "If the bailout was to free up the credit market, Republic should be getting financing."

Bank of America received $15 billion in bailout funds, and a few weeks later invested $7 billion in the China Construction Bank. Federal agencies gave banks $125 billion last month, saying they "expect all banking organizations to fulfill their fundamental role in the economy as intermediaries of credit to businesses, consumers, and other creditworthy borrowers" -- but setting no actual requirements, according to the New York Times.

Republic Windows, in existence since 1965 and a longtime Bank of America customer, "is a company that under normal circumstances would be able to continue their operation," Meinster said.

He said workers were concerned because the company moved some equipment out of the plant last weekend -- they were told it was being returned to leasing companies -- and managers were removing computers and files.

"They told us everything hinges on financing from Bank of America," Meinster said. "They said they hope to keep operating but it's day-to-day."

He said the union got "no firm commitment" that legal requirements for 60-day notice or 60 days of pay, along with all owed benefits, would be met.

Republic told union officials a meeting with the bank is scheduled for next Tuesday, Meinster said.

[babydollhead]

9. and

www.ueunion.org/uenewsupdates.html?news=396


















Determined Republic Workers Beat Give-Backs, Raise Pay $1.6026 June, 2008
Chicago


In a tough fight for their second contract as UE members, Local 1110 members at Republic Windows & Doors showed that they still have the fighting spirit that helped them organize into UE in 2004. Workers defeated the company’s regressive bargaining tactics and, in an industry badly impacted by the depressed housing market, won a new three-year agreement that increases their wages by $1.60, and retains the gains they made in their first contact.

Bargaining began in February, but the slow progress of the first few weeks was wiped out in mid-April. That’s when the company suddenly withdrew its original proposals and introduced much worse demands that would have gutted the contract. The union responded with unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board, but more importantly, pushed back with rank-and-file action. On May 22, 70 members on their lunch break marched into the plant’s front office and demanded to see the company president. They presented a petition, signed by 95 percent of the workers, warning the company to change the way it was negotiating if it wished to avoid a strike. When the president tried to argue with them, members just became more angry and outspoken; by the end of the meeting the boss was expressing his respect for every worker and promising a change in the company’s bargaining approach.

Workers also wore stickers that read “Fair Contract or Strike,” and conducted a huge practice picketing on May 28 – just three days before contract expiration. Their unity and actions turned the situation around and resulted in a solid agreement, reached on May 30 and ratified on May 31.

The new contract brings raises of 30 cents the first year, 60 cents the second year and 70 cents the third. Workers also achieved their goal of keeping healthcare affordable. Workers’ weekly portion of premium costs, which were $7.26 single/$28.79 family in the final year of the old contract, increase slightly in each year of the new contract, to $10.50/34.00; $13.00/38.00; and $15.00/43.00. The plan provides with no deductibles and small $10 co-pays.

Job security was one of the union’s main concerns. The new contract adds language saying the contract remains in effect if the plant moves to a new location within 40 miles, and workers will have the opportunity to transfer. The company also agrees to give the union notice before any outsourcing that would displace bargaining unit workers, and to meet with the union to discuss alternatives and effects of such outsourcing.

Local 1110 members beat back a company offensive against existing provisions in the contact. Workers successfully defended their vacations, holidays, overtime premium pay after eight hours’ work, grievance procedure, stewards, shift premium, seniority and other contract clauses.

“People feel good” about the outcome, says Local President Armando Robles. “We organized our people from February to June. The last week we had an action every. A T-shirt day, then a rally day. Carl Rosen (Regional President) and Bob Kingsley (UE Director of Organization) came to Republic. They told our people, the national union supports you.”

The Local 1110 negotiating committee consisted of Pres. Armando Robles, Vice President Steve Eastham, Second Shift Chief Steward Sergio Revuelta, First Shift Chief Steward Ricardo Caceres, Recording Secretary Dora Flores, Glass Dept Steward Melvin “Ricky” Maclin, board members Angelica Orozco and Lenon Davis Jr., Apolinar Cabrera, David Jernigan and Vicente Rangel. They were assisted by Field Organizer Leah Fried and International Rep. Mark Meinster.
w.ueunion.org/uenewsupdates.html?news=396

[DemReadingDU]

10. morning kick