Support the workers' occupation of the Republic Windows and doors plant in Chicago!
Published Dec 7, 2008 7:20 PM
Statement from the Bail Out the People Movement
During the week of December 8-13
Organize Protests in Front of Your Local Bank of America Office or
Building
Support the Demands of the Republic Windows and Doors
Workers:
--Management Must Meet with the Workers
--Workers Must Receive 60 Days Full Pay
--No Repression Against the Workers; No Attempts to Remove, Arrest or Charge
Them
"We are sending a message to all the workers in America. We will try
to keep up the fight and we ask for your support."
Vincente Rangel, United Electrical Workers' Steward and participant in
the occupation
Endorse at http://www.bailoutpeople.org/repubwindowendorse.shtml
List Local Action at http://www.bailoutpeople.org/repubwindowvolorgcent.shtml
View Local Actions
here
Donate to Bail Out the
People Movement at http://www.bailoutpeople.org/donate.shtml
About 250 employees of Republic Windows and Doors plant in
Chicago, IL began an occupation of the plant on Friday, Dec. 5, the last
scheduled day of the plant's operation. The workers, members of the United
Electrical Workers Union Local 1110, were not given the legally mandated 60-day
prior notification of the plant´s closing; also the
plant´s management and owners did not show up to a meeting with the
workers scheduled for Dec. 5.
The workers decided to occupy the plant. They have vowed to stay
in the plant until they receive, at the very least, 60 days pay. The owners say
that they had to close because Bank of America refused to extend them any more
credit. The Bank of America has received hundreds of billions of dollars over
the past three months in bailout money from the government.
These workers, who are overwhelmingly Latin@ immigrants, have
taken a courageous stand by putting their bodies on the line in their fight for
the right to feed their families and to be treated with respect and dignity
like all human beings. In a way, they are fighting for the rights of all
workers who are under attack, whether they are restaurant workers, public
employees or auto workers fighting to hold on to their jobs and union.
We must stand with them.
To all--no matter what your circumstances are--who are outraged
over mass layoffs, home foreclosures and are watching the government spend
literally trillions of dollars to bail out banks while doing nothing to stop
the massive layoffs and evictions that are beating down working and poor
people, take a stand in solidarity with these workers in Chicago. You could be
next.
Jobs at a living wage are a right!
An appeal issued by Bail Out the People Movement
Dec. 7, 2008
Endorse at http://www.bailoutpeople.org/repubwindowendorse.shtml
List Local Action at http://www.bailoutpeople.org/repubwindowvolorgcent.shtml
Donate to Bail Out the People
Movement at http://www.bailoutpeople.org/donate.shtml
Local Actions:
Chicago:
Sun, Dec 7, 10:30 AM Jessie Jackson and Rainbow PUSH deliver turkeys to workers
occupying Republic Windows and Doors factory, 1333 N Hickory st. (near corner
of Halsted and Division)
Monday, Dec 8th, 12 noon - Press Conference before UE workers meet with Bank of
America and company executives. Supports welcome, bring food and monetary
donations.
Tuesday, Dec 9th, 12 noon - Solidarity action at Bank of America, 231 S.
LaSalle, Chicago, IL
Charlotte, NC:
Monday, Dec 8th, 12 Noon - Picket at Bank of American national Headquarters to
support Republic workers. Corner of Trade St and Tryon in downtown Charlotte.
Organized by UE local 150. call Dante Strobino at 919-539-2051 for more
info
Detroit, MI:
Wednesday, Dec 10 12:00 noon - PROTEST
RALLY, WEDS., DEC. 10, 12:00 NOON - BANK OF AMERICA, Guardian Building,
Congress at Griswold, downtown Detroit
additional listings will be posted at BailOutPeople.org as quickly as we get
them.
Bail Out the People Movement
Solidarity Center
55 W. 17th St. #5C
New York, NY 10011
212.633.6646
www.BailOutPeople.org
Email: [email protected]