(9 am. – promoted by ek hornbeck)
This time the Union has announced a settlement. My diary the other day jumped the gun based on inccorect media reports. But this time it’s real. The workers won:
Many people have been following the Republic Window and Door Workers sit down strike. The workers there refused to just accept illegal actions by the company and instead stood up for themselves. They fought back and now they have won:
The workers are “very, very satisfied” with the agreement, said Mark Meinster of the United Electrical Workers union, which represents the employees.
“Hopefully this is an example for workers across the country that when things like this happen, you can step up, you can speak out, and you can win,” he said.
More, after the fold.
Last Friday, workers at Republic Window and Door came to work and were told to go home: they were all laid off. But the workers had a union and they knew their rights. They were entitled to 60 days notice under the WARN Act. So they just stayed, occupied the building and did what workers have done so many times in our history: said “No More.”
“We’re going to stay here until we win justice,” said Blanca Funes, 55, of Chicago, after occupying the building for several hours.
Union Workers Occupy Chicago Factory! Updated with How to Help. (+)
And the workers were supported by labor and progressives throughout America. Real Solidarity, including by the President-Elect, Barack Obama, on Sunday:
“When it comes to the situation here in Chicago with the workers who are asking for their benefits and payments they have earned, I think they are absolutely right,” Obama said Sunday at a news conference announcing his new Veterans Affairs director. “What’s happening to them is reflective of what’s happening across this economy.
snip
So, number one, I think that these workers, if they have earned their benefits and their pay, then these companies need to follow through on those commitments.”
UE announces that the workers have won!
After the conclusion of negotiations Wednesday evening, the membership of Local 1110, more than 200 workers, met in the plant cafeteria to hear and consider the tentative settlement that had been worked out by UE negotiators over the past three days.
The settlement was approved by a unanimous vote.
snip
The settlement totals $1.75 million. It will provide the workers with:
eight weeks of pay they are owed under the federal WARN Act;
provided with 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
UE: ‘Yes’ Vote at Republic: Workers Get Pay, Plant Occupation Ends
The workers marched out in victory:
CHICAGO – With cheers and chants that echoed President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign of change, jubilant workers agreed to a $1.75 million settlement that ends their six-day occupation of a shuttered Chicago factory that became a symbol of the plight of labor nationwide.
Republic Windows & Doors, union leaders and Bank of America reached the deal Wednesday evening. Each former Republic employee will get eight weeks’ salary, all accrued vacation pay and two months’ paid health care, said U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who helped broker the deal. He said it works out to about $7,000 apiece.
In addition, the union is setting up a foundation to try to reopen the plant:
The Window of Opportunity’ Foundation
Kingsley then announced the creation of a new foundation, dedicated to reopening the plant. It will be initiated with seed money from the UE national union and the thousands of dollars of donations to the UE Local 1110 Solidarity Fund that have come in from across the country and around the world in just the past five days.
Melvin Maclin of Local 1110 announced the name of the foundation, which was chosen by the workers themselves: the Window of Opportunity Fund. Maclin said that the fund will be open to receive donations from all friends of the Republic workers and supporters of their struggle.
UE: ‘Yes’ Vote at Republic: Workers Get Pay, Plant Occupation Ends
There are a few lessons here for all. First, if you don’t try, you can’t win. Don’t take oppression laying down. Fight back:
“Hopefully this is an example for workers across the country that when things like this happen, you can step up, you can speak out, and you can win,”
Even when you don’t win, you have your self respect. And if you don’t try, you’re already defeated.
Second, solidarity is real. Union brothers and sisters stepped up and helped. And good Democrats like Barack Obama, Luis Gutierrez, and many others fought WITH workers.
Together, victory is possible.
Soldiarity!
Update I: If you want to donate to the Foundation’s effort to reopen the plant, here’s a pay pal link:
Help reopen the plant with a contribution to the “Window of Opportunity” Fund
Here is the link to the
United Electrical Workers website , which has the link to PayPal to Donate on the lower right side.
(also on dkos)
3 comments
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and solidarity!
‘Nuff said.
:^)