Fired Workers Occupy Chicago Factory

Up until Friday, Republic Windows and Doors assembled vinyl windows and sliding doors in Chicago. It is now out of business. However, about 250 employees (or ex-employees) are still in the factory. They say the owners and management owe them, and they aren't leaving until they get what's theirs.

The New York Times reported, “The workers, members of Local 1110 of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, said they were owed vacation and severance pay and were not given the 60 days of notice generally required by federal law when companies make layoffs. Lisa Madigan, the attorney general of Illinois, said her office was investigating, and representatives from her office interviewed workers at the plant on Sunday.”

Company officials, not surprisingly, were unavailable for comment and did not return phone calls or e-mails. A meeting between them and the workers is set for later today, or at least, that's the rumor.

Management will certainly feel the pressure from local politicians. In addition to Ms. Madigan, supporters of the laid off workers include Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Furthermore, another Illinois politician weighed in on this issue during his interview on “Meet the Press” yesterday. President-Elect Obama said, “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.”

Melvin Maclin, a factory employee and vice president of the local union that represents the workers, was taken aback by the support in such high places. He told the press, “We never expected this. We expected to go to jail.” Instead, there is global interest in the story. As Congressman Jackson said, “These workers deserve their wages, deserve fair notice, deserve health security. This may be the beginning of long struggle of worker resistance finally."

Imagine that, both sides in industrial relations having to play by the rules.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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