CHICAGO — Workers who got three days’ notice their factory was shutting its doors have occupied the building and say they won’t go home without assurances they’ll get severance and vacation pay they say they are owed.
About 250 workers occupied the Republic Windows and Doors plant Saturday while union leaders outside criticized a Wall Street bailout they say is leaving laborers behind.
Leah Fried, a United Electrical Workers organizer, said the Chicago- based vinyl window manufacturer failed to give 60 days’ notice required by law before shutting down.
During the peaceful takeover, workers have been shoveling snow and cleaning the building, Fried said.
“We’re doing something we haven’t since the 1930s, so we’re trying to make it work,” Fried said.
Protest organizers said the company can’t pay employees because its creditor, Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America, won’t let them.
Crain’s Chicago Business reported that Republic Windows’ monthly sales had fallen from $4 million to $2.9 million during the past month. In a memo to the union obtained by the business journal, Republic chief executive Rich Gillman said the company had “no choice but to shut our doors.”
Bank of America received $25 billion from the government’s financial bailout package.
“Across cultures, religions, union and nonunion, we all say this bailout was a shame,” said Teamsters Local 743 chief Richard Berg. “If this bailout should go to anything, it should go to the workers of this country.”
Outside the plant, protesters wore stickers and carried signs that said, “You got bailed out, we got sold out.”
Republic Windows officials did not immediately respond Saturday to calls and e-mails seeking comment.
Police spokeswoman Laura Kubiak said officers were patrolling the area.
Workers were angered when company officials didn’t show up for a meeting Friday that had been arranged by U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a Chicago Democrat, Fried said. Another meeting is scheduled for Monday.
