CWA Stands with Workers' Fight for Justice at Chicago Factory

CWA is standing up for 200 Chicago workers who sat down in their shuttered factory this week to fight for money owed them and call attention to the way workers are being ignored as banks and corporations get billions from the government.

Despite the fact that Bank of America got $25 billion in bailout funds, the bank had refused to extend an extra line of credit to the Republic Windows and Doors plant, leading the company to shut down last week. For six days, about 200 of the plant's 240 workers, members of the United Electrical Workers, peacefully occupied the building in protest. Last night they voted to end the sit-in after reaching a settlement for their legally mandated severance and vacation pay.

The CWA Executive Board yesterday made a $5,000 donation to the UE Solidarity Fund. "The courage and commitment of the union members at Republic Window is an inspiration to all of us," District 4 Vice President Seth Rosen said. "We will survive the current economic crisis only if workers stick together in fights for justice like this one.  I am proud that our locals and staff in Chicago have strongly supported these workers in every way possible."

The workers drew support from many political leaders, all the way up to President-elect Barack Obama. "When it comes to the situation here in Chicago with the workers who are asking for their benefits and payments they have earned, I think they are absolutely right," Obama said at a news conference Sunday.

Bryon Capper, a CWA staffer based in Chicago, was among dozens of union activists who rallied on behalf of the workers in icy cold rain Monday, and marched again in front of the Bank of America building on Wednesday. He took the workers doughnuts and coffee and signed a large poster board of solidarity. "I signed 'CWA supports your struggle' and it was displayed very prominently on CNN last night, just over the reporter's right shoulder," Capper said.

By late Tuesday, Bank of America had agreed to a limited line of credit for the company and on Wednesday JP Morgan Chase offered additional funds.