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• Workers at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago, Illinois, staged a peaceful sit-in at the factory in December 2008, after the company gave just three days notice that the facility was closing. Union organizers say about 200 workers who were laid off are seeking their final paychecks, along with vacation and severance pay. The protest drew support from President Elect Barack Obama, who said the workers were "absolutely right" in "asking for their benefits and payments they have earned."Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago factory layoffs are a 'wake-up call to America' CNN: Chicago labor sit-in captures support from Obama On December 9, 2008, Bank of America announced that they were prepared to offer Republic a limited loan to pay their employees wages. A union representative says that the protesters will continue their sit-in unitl an official resolution is met. Bloomberg.com: Republic’s Fired Workers Win Victory in Bank of America Battle (December 9, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Republic Windows and Doors claims it is closing because Bank of America cut its creditCNN: Chicago labor sit-in captures support from Obama
  2. Workers began a peaceful sit-in at the company's Chicago factory after being given three days notice of layoffsChicago Sun-Times: Chicago factory layoffs are a 'wake-up call to America'
  3. Federal law requires a company to give at least 60 days' notice of a closing, or provide 60 days' pay to employeesCNN: Chicago labor sit-in captures support from Obama
  4. Barack Obama has expressed support for the workers' efforts to secure their payCNN: Chicago labor sit-in captures support from Obama
  5. Jesse Jackson delivered food to the protesting workers on Sunday, December 7, 2008Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago factory layoffs are a 'wake-up call to America'
  6. A meeting was planned between union representatives, company officials and Bank of America on December 8, 2008Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago factory layoffs are a 'wake-up call to America'

• Quote

  "So, number one, I think that these workers, if they have earned their benefits and their pay, then these companies need to follow through on those commitments. Number two, I think it is important for us to make sure that, moving forward, any economic plan we put in place helps businesses to meet payroll so we are not seeing these kinds of circumstances again."—President Elect Barack ObamaChicago Sun-Times: Chicago factory layoffs are a 'wake-up call to America'

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Bank of America | 2008 Financial Crisis | Barack Obama | ATT Layoffs | DHL Layoffs | 2008 Recession | Citigroup Layoffs | American Express Layoffs | Home Depot Layoffs | HP Layoffs | Bank of America Illinois | NPR Cutbacks

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