Chicago Workers’ Takeover Becomes National Symbol

The workers and their act of protest has struck a chord with an American populace facing unemployment during this economic meltdown. Chicago Workers’ Takeover Becomes National SymbolBy Cliff Montgomery – Dec. 8th, 2008Chicago workers who four days ago occupied the building of their former employer say they are amazed by the numbers of supporters, journalists and politicians who now pack an outside foyer.”We never expected this,” local worker union vice president and factory employee Melvin Maclin told The Associated Press (AP) yesterday.”We expected to go to jail,” added Maclin.The 200 workers on Friday took over the plant of Republic Windows and Doors, after the business fired them with only three days’ notice last week.The workers are demanding their earned severance and vacation income. What they didn’t expect was the response to their plant takeover.Far from being portrayed as villains, the workers and their act of protest has struck a chord with an American populace facing unemployment during this economic meltdown.President-elect Barack Obama told reporters at a Sunday news conference that Republic should fulfill its employee commitments.”The workers who are asking for the benefits and payments that they have earned, I think they’re absolutely right and understand that what’s happening to them is reflective of what’s happening across this economy,” said Obama.The Rev. Jesse Jackson supplied turkeys to the protesting workers, and also pledged aid and assistance from the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Jackson’s civil rights group based in Chicago.”These workers deserve their wages, deserve fair notice, deserve health security,” said Rev. Jackson.”This may be the beginning of long struggle of worker resistance finally,” he added.Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan wrote in a Sunday news release that her office now is investigating the sudden closure.”I am extremely concerned with the actions of this company, which are having a significant impact on employees and their families,” stated the release.Republic Windows and Doors remains silent on the factory takeover.Leah Fried is a union organizer for the United Electrical Workers, the union representing the workers. According to Fried, Republic informed United Electrical that Bank of America had canceled the company’s financing.Bank of America had no problem taking $25 billion of taxpayer money as its share of the recent government bailout. A few workers carried signs yesterday which read: “You got bailed out. We got sold out.”But if American workers can still appreciate a good double standard and an instance of biting irony when they see it, the Bank of America clearly cannot. It actually claimed in a statement released Saturday “that it wasn’t responsible for Republic’s financial obligations to its employees,” stated the AP.Of course, American taxpayers–like these Chicago factory workers–may say the same about the Bank of America’s troubles. Why should U.S. workers be responsible for the financial obligations of Wall Street and the Bank of America, but workers not receive the same courtesy when they are the ones in need?Silvia Mazon, one of those engaged in the factory takeover, told AP that she needs the pay Republic owes her to meet her own financial obligations–namely, a monthly house payment of $1,800. Mazon added that currently she only has enough money to live for one month.”We’re making history,” Mazon told AP.Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a Democrat from Illinois , told AP it’s the beginning of a workers’ movement.”This story has resonated around the world,” said Schakowsky.Another Congressperson told reporters Monday that company representatives have agreed to meet today with union and bank representatives.Rep. Luis Gutierrez said that a late afternoon meeting would deal with the workers’ concerns.Gutierrez added that Republic officials have signed a waiver allowing its financial records to be  opened at the meeting.Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now! Wait, why does an independent news source run advertisements? The Spark answers in its advertising policy. * Please check out our ads–they help keep this news site running. Thanks!