The Road To Resistance - US Style

Late last year an inspiring group of American trade unionists staged a six-day occupation of their company in Chicago, Illinois - a success story that continues to resonate throughout the USA and the world. The sit-in, by member of the the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers’ Union of America (UE), sent a potent message on how to defend jobs when a company is foreclosed by banks.
The occupation at Republic Windows and Doors ended on 11th December when a negotiated settlement came together between the union and a consortium of capital entities. The plant takeover started on 5th December when 200 workers occupied the Chicago factory after being given only three days notice of Republic closing the plant.
American law requires 60 days pay for workers victimised by plant closures that are the size of Republic. Union Local 1110 members were denied this in the liquidation of their factory, and they were denied accrued and unused holidays as well. The employer, pleaded it could not pay because Bank of America had cut off the company’s line of credit, while the credit-troubled bank claimed it was the company’s responsibility to pay workers.
After six days occupying the plant, union members and workers won a backpay settlement that included accrued holidays and job benefits, and they won much more. Bank of America agreed to guarantee pay to cover the lawful plant-closing requirement, JPMorgan Chase – 40% owner of Republic Windows and Doors – agreed to contribute US$400,000, and Republic itself agreed to come up with US$114,000 to meet its payroll obligations for the week leading up to the plant takeover.
Also in the negotiated settlement, workers will receive extended health insurance coverage. The victory inspired the union to open a “Window of Opportunity” fund in order to find a way to keep the factory operating.
The occupation won the support of then US President-elect Barack Obama, who said, workers were “right” to occupy the plant, because they “understand that what’s happening to them is reflective of what’s happening across the economy.”
Following the plant occupation, another, reward awaits the 300 union members: they may get their jobs back. A small eco-friendly building materials company that likes the plant, the equipment, but more importantly, likes the grit of the workers, is in serious negotiations to buy the plant, reopen it under a UE collective agreement, and produce energy-efficient building materials.
The good news comes as union members from the closed Republic factory travel the USA on a “Recovery And Resistance” tour. They are telling their story and developing a campaign that puts a priority on jobs as the jumpstart to economic recovery. The workers, in hand with their union, are touring American cities under the broad-based banner of the labour-community coalition group, "Jobs With Justice".
Unite and USW (Workers Uniting) members attending the International Chemical Energy and Mineworkers Pulp and Paper Conference, during the occupation, moved an emergency resolution supporting occupation in Chicago as well as congratulating Barak Obama on his support for the workers.
Road to Resistance Website can be found at http://www.ueunion.org/ue_republicworkerstour.html
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How did the Republic occupation send "a potent message on how to defend jobs"? The sit-in was inspiring and courageous -- but the workers lost their jobs in the end. In fact, the demands of the occupation did not include anything about keeping the plant open or saving the jobs.
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