[Peace-discuss] Workers Occupy Chicago Factory

[webmaster at one-world.org]

http://socialistworker.org/2008/12/06/republic-window-occupation
http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/84884/index.php

Sorry if this has already been posted, but this is right up my ally.   
I'm doing graduate research on factory takeovers in Argentina, and  
this is exactly how it started with them.  This is a good opportunity  
to get up to Chicago and show some support for a sensible way to keep  
businesses running.  See my followup message for a brief synopsis of  
the idea.

Hey, pengdust... were you working on a documentary about this, or am I  
remembering someone else?

John.
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WORKERS OCCUPYING the Republic Windows & Doors factory slated for  
closure are vowing to remain in the Chicago plant until they win the  
$1.5 million in severance and vacation pay owed them by management.

In a tactic rarely used in the U.S. since the labor struggles of the  
1930s, the workers, members of United Electrical, Radio and Machine  
Workers of America (UE) Local 1110, refused to leave the plant on  
December 5, its last scheduled day of operation.

What you can do

If you live in the Chicago area, come to a rally on Saturday, December  
6, at 12 Noon at Republic Windows, 1333 N. Hickory in Chicago, on  
Goose Island. If negotiations with Bank of America fail to resolve the  
issue, there will be a picket of BoA's Chicago headquarters at 231 S.  
LaSalle on Tuesday, December 9 at 12 noon.

Members of Local 1110 need your support. Make checks payable to the UE  
Local 1110 Solidarity Fund, and mail to: 37 S. Ashland, Chicago, IL  
60607. Messages of support can be sent to leahfried at gmail.com. For  
more information, call UE at 312-829-8300.

At the Jobs with Justice Web site, you can send a message of protest  
to Bank of America.

"We decided to do it because this is money that belongs to us," said  
Maria Roman, who's worked at the plant for eight years. "These are our  
rights."

Word of the occupation spread quickly both among labor and immigrant  
rights activists--the overwhelming majority of the workers are  
Latinos. Seven local TV news stations showed up to do interviews and  
live reports, and a steady stream of activists arrived to bring  
donations of food and money and to plan solidarity actions.