Republic Windows and Doors Occupation (2008)
Fri Dec 05, 2008
Image: Pickets outside Republic Windows and Doors offices. A sign facing the camera reads "You got bailed out We got sold out" [ueunion.org]
On this day in 2008, in the midst of the financial crisis, 300 workers at Republic Windows and Doors occupied their workplace after being laid off, losing health insurance and owed vacation pay with just 3 days notice.
On Tuesday, December 2nd, workers were told that the business would close at the end of the week. Two hundred and forty local union members voted to have a sit-in at the end of the week. They carefully organized the action, dividing into three shifts to manage and clean the factory equipment, provide security, and communicate with the media and supporters 24 hours a day.
Protesting workers displayed signs that said "No More Bailouts for the Ruling Class!" and "You got bailed out, We got sold out". The action won national attention, and eventually the corporation changed ownership, and all workers were able to keep their jobs.
Richard Gillman, the former CEO of Republic Windows and Doors, was convicted of stealing more than $500,000 from the company, fined $100,000 and sentenced to four years in prison. On May 30th, 2012, members of the local union founded the New Era Windows Cooperative with the help of The Working World, an organization that finances worker cooperatives.
- Date: 2008-12-05
- Learn More: libcom.org, www.peoplesworld.org, www.ueunion.org.
- Tags: #Labor.
- Source: www.apeoplescalendar.org