Dec 6, 2008 9:40 pm US/Central
Laid-Off Workers At Factory Find Outside Support
In Second Day Of On-Site Protest, Former Employees Get Help From Labor Groups And Rev. Jesse Jackson
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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The second day of a sit-in at the shuttered Republic Windows and Doors factory drew support from unions and volunteers.
CBS
Former workers at Republic Windows and Doors say they will occupy their ex-work place in shifts until Monday, when another meeting with company officials is planned. Still unresolved is whether they'll receive the money and benefits they say they are owed. CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports.
Representatives from a local Teamsters office in Chicago and a professional workers union from Milwaukee were just two of the labor organizations stirring up the crowd with donations Saturday night.
Also, the Rev. Jesse Jackson announced he'll meet with the workers Sunday morning. By then, the labor demonstration will have gone on for some 48 hours.
The union for the laid-off workers estimates the company owes them some $1 million, and they want to see that money before any equipment or inventory walks out the door for sale.
Volunteers streamed into Republic Windows and Doors Saturday night.
They brought blankets, fruit -- whatever they could to help plant workers endure a long weekend inside the building.
"I actually got an e-mail from the Near West Side Peace and Justice Coalition, and they were just telling us that people down here needed food and blankets, so we thought we'd do our part," volunteer Jason Piersialla said.
The workers say the company is cheating them out of paid vacation time, insurance benefits and severance they are due under the law. The business reportedly told the workers Tuesday it was shutting its doors because Bank of America cut off the company's line of credit. Dozens of the ex-employees began occupying the factory Friday.
"The situation is just outrageous," union representative Leah Fried said. "It's shameful. Bank of America got $25 billion in bailout money."
"And then on top of it," she added, "they don't want to authorize the company to pay peoples' vacation and severance they're owed under law? I mean, these are just what they're owed under law. We're not asking for anything extra."
Carmelo Arzuaga said he earned $17.75 an hour on the line and after 25 years, he may now have to head for the unemployment line.
Armando Robles had his children at the plant, backing him up in the demonstration. His family's future is uncertain.
"I can't believe that this happened to us," he said.
Republic's former workers reportedly got paychecks for last week's work, but some ex-employees complain some of those checks are bouncing.
Representatives of Republic Windows did not respond Saturday to calls and e-mails seeking comment. Bank of America declined comment, citing confidentiality requirements.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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