Governor Supports Workers At Factory (click title to entry - thank you)
Gov. Rod Blagojevich visited the workers occupying the recently closed Republic Windows factory. (Scott Olson - Getty Images)
By Kari Lydersen
Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, December 9, 2008; Page A02
CHICAGO, Dec. 8 -- Workers occupying a Chicago factory that closed abruptly last week gained a significant political ally Monday in their fight to receive back benefits, when Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) ordered state agencies to stop doing business with Bank of America until it uses some of its federal bailout money to keep the factory open.
The standoff at Republic Windows & Doors, which began Friday, has been a throwback to tactics hardly seen since the 1930s that labor experts and union leaders say may become more common if the economy continues its downturn.
More than 200 unionized employees say they will not allow Republic or its creditor, Bank of America, to remove equipment from the factory until they get severance and vacation pay they are owed. Their union alleges that Republic violated federal law by giving its workers only three days' notice before shutting down. Workers were told the company was closing because Bank of America did not extend it enough credit to keep operating....
Gov. Rod Blagojevich visited the workers occupying the recently closed Republic Windows factory. (Scott Olson - Getty Images)
Workers occupying shuttered Chicago factory offered a deal (click here)
8 hours ago
CHICAGO (AFP) — Workers occupying an abruptly shuttered Chicago factory have been offered a lifeline after the bank which cut off financing to the window maker said it would give the company a new loan to help cover the costs of their vacation and severance pay.
The 240 workers who began the sit-in on Friday to fight for compensation they were guaranteed by law have become a symbol of the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people who lost their jobs amid a deepening recession....
It's tough being union sometimes. This company wants to open a plant in Iowa. This is no small issue. Where the heck is the billions US in bailout already? Making Wall Street actually do 'the right thing' is getting resistance. Why?
State threatens Bank of America (click here)
The governor of Illinois has threatened to stop doing business with Bank of America if it does not help laid-off workers occupying a Chicago factory.
Rod Blagojevich said the bank would lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars in fees and commission.
About 200 workers have been occupying Republic Windows and Doors demanding severance pay since they were laid off with only three days notice....
