Victory for Workers Who Waged Sit-In
December 12, 2008
Council 31 Regional Director Larry Spivack speaks at a rally to support the striking workers at Republic Windows and Doors.Congratulations to workers at Republic Windows & Doors who made justice happen. After a six-day sit-in at the plant, workers at Republic Windows & Doors in Chicago voted to accept a settlement late last night. During the strike, a delegation from AFSCME Council 31 went to the plant gates to support the workers’ action. This from the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) site, via Jobs with Justice: The settlement totals $1.75 million. It will provide the workers with:
- Eight weeks of pay they are owed under the federal WARN Act;
- Two months of continued health coverage; and
- Pay for all accrued and unused vacation.
JPMorgan Chase will provide $400,000 of the settlement, with the balance coming from Bank of America. Although the money will be provided as a loan to Republic Windows and Doors, it will go directly into a third-party fund whose sole purpose is to pay the workers what is owed them. In addition, the UE has started the “Window of Opportunity Fund” dedicated to re-opening the plant. As the UE Local 1110 leaders characterized the settlement, “We fought to make them pay what they owe us, and we won." More from AFL-CIO Now Blog.
