Union Workers Fight and Win Benefits Due
11 December 2008 12:03 pm by Taylor Marsh
BY TAYLOR MARSH
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This is one story conservatives will not be hailing today. Republicans, especially their representatives on wingnut radio, are targeting unions, from the UAW, because of the Big 3, to SEIU, because of Blagojevich.
Nothing could have been more timely and more heroic than the window-factory workers stand against BofA and their employer stiffing them. Dissenting Justice, posting “In the News,” has the juicy details. It’s a symbol that when workers stand together, with righteous progressive politicians backing their play — minus one self-serving, egomaniacal, ethically challenged, arrested soon-to-be ex-governor — they can get what is due themselves and their families.
Laid-off workers at a Chicago window factory ended a five-day sit-in after banks agreed to lend the failed company $1.75 million for outstanding wages and benefits, union officials said Wednesday.
“The occupation is over,” said Armando Robles, president of the United Electrical Workers local 1110, which led the sit-in.
About 200 workers launched what they called a “peaceful occupation” of the Republic Windows and Doors factory Friday after Republic gave its employees three days notice of the layoffs. According to the workers, Republic told them that Bank of America had cut off credit to the company.
Federal law requires 60 days notice or 60 days paid compensation for workers when they close plants.[...]
Unfortunately, a lot of people are out of work, but if they hadn’t stood up for themselves, with the help of their union and some stalwart Dems (minus their good for nothing governor) including President-elect Obama, they’d be in even worst shape right now.
