Hartmarx Sit In Plan Going National: Rochester Joins Illinois Plant in Sit-In Vote

(9 am. – promoted by ek hornbeck)

I think we are seeing a movement here.  In the last couple days, I’ve written about the Hartmarx sit-in votes in Illinois and the pressure on Wells Fargo to choose a bidder for Hartmarx that will keep the compnay open.  The Illinois plant voted for a sit-in.  Now Rochester has followed.

ROCHESTER, NY, MAY 13-Determined to protect good, U.S. manufacturing jobs, more than 450 Hickey-Freeman workers unanimously voted yesterday to stage a sit-in if Wells Fargo & Co., their employer’s main creditor and a recipient of a $25 billion taxpayer bailout, liquidates company assets. Rochester workers are joining with employees of Hartmarx, Hickey-Freeman’s parent company, who voted earlier in the week to stage a sit-in if their plants were shuttered.

Rochester Hickey-Freeman Workers Vote to Stage Sit-In if Bailed-Out Bank Attempts to Close Company

More, after the fold.

Also on Dkos: http://www.dailykos.com/story/…

For background, you can read these diaries: Rep. Hare: “I promise you I will be their worst nightmare.” and Updated!  Workers Vote For Sit-In at Company Making Obama’s Suits.

In short, Wells Fargo, who received a $25B bailout, may force Hartmarx to liquidate, thereby throwing thousands of people out of work.  There are three bidders for Hartmarx, which is in bankruptcy.  Two of the bidders will keep the plants open in the US and retain the jobs here.  The third appears to want to liquidate the company and sell the brand name to make suits overseas.  Hartmarx, you may know, is the maker of the suit worn by President Obama on Election night.

Earlier this week, workers at the Illinois facility voted in favor of a “sit in” style action, which means that if Wells Fargo or a buyer tries to begin liquidation or close the factory, the workers will respond by physically remaining at their job site.   The workers were joined by Rep. Phil Hare, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and SEIU Illinois State Council president Tom Balanoff at the rally held after the “sit in” vote at the Des Plaines, IL plant.

The workers are represented by Workers United, an affiliate union of the SEIU, and a union consisting of predecessor unions with a long history.  For example, Workers United can trace its parentage to the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.   Here is the Wikepedia history of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union    

You might remember this song:

The ILGWU sponsored a contest among its members in the 1970s for an advertising jingle to advocate buying ILGWU-made garments. The winner, using the tune from the Depression era song “Look for the Silver Lining”, was “Look for the union label“

Here is a short documentary shot at the Hart Schaffner Marx factory in Des Plaines, IL on May 7 and May 11, 2009.  It’s about six minutes long.

Now Rochester has joined with workers in Illinois:

Yesterday’s vote means that if Wells Fargo or a buyer tries to liquidate the company or close the factory, the workers will respond by physically remaining at their job site.  The Rochester Regional Joint Board of the Workers United union (an SEIU affiliate) ran the election.  Hickey-Freeman employees have been members of the Joint Board for 90 years.

Rochester Hickey-Freeman Workers Vote to Stage Sit-In if Bailed-Out Bank Attempts to Close Company

The workers are willing to what it takes to keep their jobs.

“We want to work.  We’re willing to sit-in-and do more if necessary-to keep working,” said 50-year Hickey-Freeman employee Fred Cotraccia.

“These jobs are good jobs, and we’re hoping Wells Fargo doesn’t try to throw them away, but if it does, we’re prepared to do whatever it takes to secure the jobs here in Rochester,” Joint Board manager Gary Bonadonna said.

Rochester Hickey-Freeman Workers Vote to Stage Sit-In if Bailed-Out Bank Attempts to Close Company

Senator Chuck Schumer (D. New York) is joining the fight:

“Wells Fargo has received billions in direct government support to get them through this crisis,” Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a press statement.  “Now they must help justify the taxpayers’ investment and give Hartmarx the time it needs to develop the best possible bids, and must select a bid for the company that will allow it to stay open and preserve 600-plus jobs in Rochester, scores more in Buffalo and 3,000 jobs across the country.”

Rochester Hickey-Freeman Workers Vote to Stage Sit-In if Bailed-Out Bank Attempts to Close Company

If you have not signed the letter to Wells Fargo’s CEO, please consider signing it now.

Dear Mr. Stumpf,

The American people gave Wells Fargo 25 billion in TARP Funds. Now we are asking you to do the least you can do in return — keep the Hart, Schaffner and Marx apparel company open by accepting one of the two bidders on the company that plans to keep the factory open.

Forcing the liquidation of American jobs is the last thing our economy needs right now. Wells Fargo has an obligation to shareholders, investors and public to take a longer term view of the economics, that means keeping jobs and supporting this profitable business. I urge you to do the right thing.

[your signature will go here]

Sign the letter to Wells Fargo

This is looking like a movement now.  Not only can these jobs be saved, but hopefully the willingness to fight will show the way for others.  In addition, I am very impressed with the way Democrats like Rep. Phil Hare, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, and Senator Chuck Schumer are working with the union to save jobs here.  Democrat standing with labor is the way things should be.  

The pressure is increasing on Wells Fargo to do right by workers.