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San Francisco Protest Against the Banks and in Support of the Chicago Workers
A rush hour protest at the Powell and Market Bank of America tonight drew attention to the struggle of the workers at Republic Windows and Doors factory in Chicago who are occupying their factory to protest against back wages owed them. The protest was called by the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition and co-sponsored by the San Francisco Labor Council (AFL-CIO) and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement - SF. Four people were arrested for protesting inside the bank.
Bail out workers, not banks! Support Chicago workers!
Over 200 workers have occupied their workplace factory at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago, after the company shut down the plant, claiming lack of funds to pay the workers their back pay, vacation and other benefits, or to give 60 days’ notice as required by federal law.
The plant closing was precipitated by Bank of America’s refusal to extend any more credit to the company, despite the fact that B of A has received $25 billion in bailout funds. These billions were supposed to help relieve credit shortages and help sustain jobs. Instead, the banks are using taxpayer dollars to merge into larger banks. Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase are the two banks that invest in Republic Windows and Doors. The workers are owed an average of 75 days’ pay and vacation. Companies are bound by federal law to either give 60 days’ notice with pay, before a plant closing or layoff of 50 or more workers.
It is reported that Republic Windows and Doors is planning to move its plant to Iowa because of cheaper labor costs, and to get out of union obligations with the United Electrical Workers Union. Workers across the country are paying a heavy price for the bank’s and corporations’ theft. It’s time for the bankers and companies to pay, NOT THE WORKERS!
Over 200 workers have occupied their workplace factory at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago, after the company shut down the plant, claiming lack of funds to pay the workers their back pay, vacation and other benefits, or to give 60 days’ notice as required by federal law.
The plant closing was precipitated by Bank of America’s refusal to extend any more credit to the company, despite the fact that B of A has received $25 billion in bailout funds. These billions were supposed to help relieve credit shortages and help sustain jobs. Instead, the banks are using taxpayer dollars to merge into larger banks. Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase are the two banks that invest in Republic Windows and Doors. The workers are owed an average of 75 days’ pay and vacation. Companies are bound by federal law to either give 60 days’ notice with pay, before a plant closing or layoff of 50 or more workers.
It is reported that Republic Windows and Doors is planning to move its plant to Iowa because of cheaper labor costs, and to get out of union obligations with the United Electrical Workers Union. Workers across the country are paying a heavy price for the bank’s and corporations’ theft. It’s time for the bankers and companies to pay, NOT THE WORKERS!
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This protest was announced on this website on the day of the event, 12/9 at 12:55 p.m. for that evening. Since most of us are at work or school in the middle of the day, there was effectively no announcment for most of us, just a click of insiders got the word.
The Mumia-Troy Davis protest was announced on this website on Dec 8 at 5:29 p.m. for about the same early evening hours. We are waiting to hear if anyone showed up for that.
The AIPAC demo for Dec 9 in the same early evening hours was announced in a timely manner, on Dec 3. We have yet to hear what happened at that equally important demonstration.
Are the same people attending all of these demonstrations, so they just decided among themselves that picketing BofA was more important for photo opportunities since it is obviously a labor demonstration or is there just a time lag in reporting?
All 3 demonstrations were worth maximum turnout and only 1 had to be on the evening of Dec 9, the AIPAC demo, because it was picketing an event. The others could easily be held on the weekend, during the day, when most of us could attend. Powell and Market is packed with shoppers in December on the weekend so picketing BofA on the weekend would have maximized both turnout and exposure. Arrogance and elitism have no place in the struggle; we need to involve as many people as possible at all of these demonstrations.
The Mumia-Troy Davis protest was announced on this website on Dec 8 at 5:29 p.m. for about the same early evening hours. We are waiting to hear if anyone showed up for that.
The AIPAC demo for Dec 9 in the same early evening hours was announced in a timely manner, on Dec 3. We have yet to hear what happened at that equally important demonstration.
Are the same people attending all of these demonstrations, so they just decided among themselves that picketing BofA was more important for photo opportunities since it is obviously a labor demonstration or is there just a time lag in reporting?
All 3 demonstrations were worth maximum turnout and only 1 had to be on the evening of Dec 9, the AIPAC demo, because it was picketing an event. The others could easily be held on the weekend, during the day, when most of us could attend. Powell and Market is packed with shoppers in December on the weekend so picketing BofA on the weekend would have maximized both turnout and exposure. Arrogance and elitism have no place in the struggle; we need to involve as many people as possible at all of these demonstrations.
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