Daily Kos: "We Make the Windows and the Doors" (the Chicago sit in)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/2/19/8181/44652/474/699232

by shirah
Thu Feb 19, 2009 at 05:21:24 AM PST

crossposted from unbossed

The one bright spot within the economic gloom that surrounds so many of us was the Republic Window and Door worker sit in. By sitting in they stood up for their rights. By sitting in they got our attention and sent a lesson of what is possible by engaging in concerted acts of mutual aid and support.

They showed a labor movement that has some real movement.

* shirah's diary :: ::
*

The story may have slipped from our attention, but here is a video that captures the events and the emotion involved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiFzP48UHYw&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/2/19/8181/44652/474/699232

That was the first step - getting the pay and money owed the workers under law.

But that was just the first step. These people need jobs, and they are working hard to create those jobs - doing what they used to do for Republic.

Here is the most recent news on the continuing struggle.

UE Local 1110 announced today that the leading company in the green window business -- Serious Materials, based in Sunnyvale, California -- is in the final stages of working out an agreement to purchase the assets of Republic Windows and Doors. Members of UE Local 1110 staged a sit-in last month to win severance, health benefits and earned vacation pay, after the plant's previous owner shut down with only three days' notice to workers.

Though some details still need to be finalized, the union is told that the parties are very close to inking a deal. "We are all hopeful about the possibility of Serious reopening our plant. This would be a very happy ending to our struggle," said former Republic worker and Local 1110 Vice President Melvin Maclin.

FULL story at link.

[rosesaylavee]

1. Wonderful! An almost happy ending.

Thanks for posting.