--- On Fri, 12/5/08, McDowell Dwight <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: McDowell Dwight <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: ACTION ALERT! Sat. Dec. 6th @ noon To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Friday, December 5, 2008, 11:41 PM
CLERGY AND COMMUNITY HOLD PRAYER VIGIL FOR WORKERS OCCUPYING REPUBLIC WINDOWS PLANT WHO: Clergy and Community Members with workers occupying plant WHERE: Republic Windows, 1333 N Hickory Ave (on Goose Island , near Division and Halsted) WHEN: Saturday, December 6 at 12:00 noon The Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues is holding a prayer rally for the 200 workers who have been told that their plant is closing but have not been properly paid by the guidelines set forth in the WARN Act. It is estimated that the workers are owed $1,000,000. On Wednesday the workers, members of the United Electrical Workers union, protested outside of Bank of America in downtown Chicago , chanting, “You got bailed out, we got sold out.” With Republic Windows not able to pay its workers, Bank of America apparently now owns the plant, filled with inventory and expensive equipment. The workers insist that they get paid before the assets are removed from the expansive plant. As a sign of solidarity with the workers, religious and community leaders will lead prayers and speak about the workers’ rights to just compensation and fair treatment in the midst of these harsh economic times. Any questions, please call me at: 815-355-5812 or email me at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Also reachable: Worker Center Director, Adam Kader: 773-937-1826 CICWI Executive Director: Rev. C.J. Hawking: 773-937-1824 Thanks! -Shelly- BACKGROUND: About Republic Windows and Doors: 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. In solidarity, -Shelly Ruzicka- Director of Operations Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues phone:773-728-8400 x26 fax: 773-728-8406 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, 3rd fl. Chicago , IL 60660 This message was sent from McDowell Dwight to [EMAIL PROTECTED] It was sent from: Chicago Interfaith Committee, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL 60660. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below. Manage your subscription --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Internet group address: http://groups.google.com/group/ChicagoMayDay To send e-mail: [email protected] To unsuscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
