I can't go to the press conference but I will gladly sign on to the letter. Do you just add my name? BB On Nov 24, 2008, at 6:31 PM, Jorge Mujica wrote:
> Dear companeros all: > > 300 workers may soon be losing their living wage jobs unless we now > act to stop Bank of America from cutting Republic's line of credit. > This is an urgent situation. > > Bank of America is receiving about $25 billion of bailout money > from the Federal government. It seems that Bank of America is not > investing its stimulous money in companies that have been > temporarily hurt by the economy but are still viable enterprises, > such as Republic Windows. Unless, we act, this money will be spent > on corporate golden parachutes instead of saving the livelihoods of > hundreds of workers. > > We just found out from Republic Windows today that Bank of America > will decide on the company's loan tomorrow, so action needs to > happen really fast. > What can you do today and tomorrow: > > 1) ASAP sign onto a community letter (attached) to Bank of America. > 2) Join the delegation tomorrow morning 10am to deliver the letter > to Bank of America (221 S. La Salle) > 3) Join the press conference tomorrow morning at 9:45am prior to > letter deliver at 231 S. LaSalle. > 4) Join press conference tomorrow afternoon at 4:00pm at 231 S. > LaSalle to announce the Bank's decision and our next steps. > 5) Participate in actions on Wednesday to prevent company from > moving out more machinery from the Republic Windows facility (1333 > N. Hickory--near Division and Halsted). > Please send your sign-on confirmation or let me know of any other > action you can participate in. > Thanks! > Tim Bell > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > 773-230-0351 > > Background on campaign to save jobs at Republic Windows and Doors > > About Republic: > Republic Windows and Doors, located at 1333 N. Hickory in Chicago, > manufactures vinyl windows for new housing construction and > residential replacement windows. The Company employs approximately > 300 people. The company has been headquartered in Chicago since its > founding in 1965. The Company's CEO is Rich Gillman. Its principal > investor is Bank of America. Republic is #275 on Crain's Chicago > Business' list of privately held companies, with $65 million in > sales in 2006. The company received almost $10 million in TIF > financing since they relocated to their current Goose Island location. > > About the workers: > Republic production employees have been represented by United > Electrical Workers (UE) Local 1110 since 2004. The average wage is > $14/hr. Workers receive good health coverage and retirement > benefits. Most of the workers live in the city of Chicago. > > About the current situation: > While the Company's new construction sales have suffered due to the > slowdown in the housing market, sales of replacement windows have > remained steady. CEO Rich Gillman told the union on Monday November > 24th that the company has customers willing to buy its windows and > that they can stay in business if financing from their principal > investor, Bank of America, continues. However, according to > Gillman, Bank of America is threatening to cut off its line of > credit to Republic, thereby forcing the plant to close. If that > happens, the City of Chicago will lose 300 living wage jobs with > benefits. > > What the workers want: > That the Company remain open, > If the company shuts its doors, that they give 60 days notice as > required under the WARN act and negotiate a fair severance package > with the union. > > Republic contact information: > Republic Windows and Doors > 1333 N. Hickory > Chicago, IL 60622 > > Phone: (312) 932-8000 > Fax: (312) 932-8550 > website: www.republicwindows.com > > Company CEO: Rich Gillman > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED],com > > > > > -- > Jorge Mujica > > > > <republic community letter.doc> > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Internet group address: http://groups.google.com/group/ChicagoMayDay To send e-mail: [email protected] To unsuscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
