Free Republic

On December 5, badly hurt by the long housing slump and having maxed out its line of credit with Bank of America, the Republic Windows and Doors factory of Chicago announced that it would close and lay off its employees. In response, most of its 250 workers refused to leave the factory floor and announced through their union—the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers (UE)—that they would occupy the premises until they received severance pay. In the days that followed, activist supporters, including local left-wing and interfaith groups, waged a spectacularly successful public campaign: more than 4,000 news stories on...

The indictment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich wasn't the only thing happening in Illinois last week. Bank of America was the victim of a concerted shake-down operation that could be replicated around the country. Banks apparently now are expected to give money away to failed borrowers. This could become federal policy when Barack Obama, who supported this new example of Chicago blackmail, becomes president. One of the casualties of the faltering housing market is Chicago's Republic Windows and Doors. Bank of America cut off the company's line of credit in response to falling demand. "If the bank saw some light at...

Monday, December 08, 2008 BARACK OBAMA Blagojevich Reckless, Obama Evasive on Bank of America and Chicago Window Company Yesterday, President Obama was asked whether the government should be pressuring banks to make loans to businesses with bad prospects, in order to ensure that workers get contractually-guaranteed severance pay and/or avoid layoffs. Referring to the battle in Obama's hometown over a Republica Windows and Doors plant, the specific question was, "Is there anything that can be done to put pressure on the bailed-out banks to keep the money flowing there?" Obama's answer was typically clear: PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA: When it comes to...

The governor of Illinois said the state government will suspend business with Bank of America Corp. (BAC) until the bank restores credit to the shuttered Republic Windows & Doors company in Chicago. Gov. Rod Blagojevich also said the state's labor department will file a complaint if labor negotiations aren't concluded quickly. Workers got three days' notice last week that the Republic Windows & Doors plant was closing on Friday, and since then they've occupied the building around the clock, saying they won't go home until they're assured they will get their severance and vacation pay. Company officials had told the...

President-elect Barack Obama is weighing in on behalf of workers staging a sit-in on the factory floor of their former Chicago employer to protest abruptly losing their jobs last week. Obama told a news conference Sunday that Republic Windows and Doors should follow through on its commitments to the 200 workers, who say they won't leave the plant until they are assured they'll receive their severance and vacation pay. "The workers who are asking for the benefits and payments that they have earned, I think they're absolutely right and understand that what's happening to them is reflective of what's happening...

President-elect Barack Obama put himself on the side of the workers at the Republic Windows and Doors factory Sunday: “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 Sunday at a news conference announcing his new Veterans Affairs director. “What’s happening to them is reflective of what’s happening across this economy. “When you have a financial system that is shaky, credit contracts. Businesses large and small start cutting back on their plants and equipment and their workforces. That’s...