Detroit Greens a local of the Green Party of Michigan

Hear the UE sit-down strikers talk about their victory at Republic Windows & Doors.

Resistance & Recovery Tour

In December, 260 workers at Chicago's Republic Windows & Doors, members of the UE, occupied their plant for six days, a sit-in strike launched in response to the closing of their plant with only 3 days notice.

These workers chose to resist.

Jobs with Justice coalitions along with other community, faith and labor activists from across the country mobilized in support of these workers, helping them win a settlement from Bank of America and Republic owners including severance pay and compensation for unpaid earnings. Negotiations are underway now to reopen the plant to make eco-friendly windows.

This fight is just the beginning.

As the economic crisis deepens, millions of people face jobs loss and foreclosures. Join Jobs with Justice and other groups in celebrating the successful resistance at Republic and launch the broader campaign for an economic recovery that puts Main Street before Wall Street. Join the fight as Jobs with Jutice allies discuss how we can take direct action to resist, fight for recovery that puts workers before wall street and keeps people in their homes.

The workers have already toured several cities in the Northeast. Hundreds of activists in the Northeast came out to hear from UE Local 1110 Vice President Melvin “Ricky” Maclin, UE Local 1110 Steward Raul Flores, UE Local 1110 President Armando Robles, and UE International Representative Mark Meinster. They shared lessons and reflections on their campaign and victory.

“You learn how to fight by fighting. This was the right time for us and now is the right time for labor. I believe we need strong unions and now is our time to fight,” said Melvin Maclin.

“We’re trying to spread the message of resistance on this tour. Things may look dark out there, but there’s hope if you stand with you co-workers and fight. You can use bold tactics like this and win,” said Mark Meinster.

Throughout the tour, JwJ and UE activists highlighted the fight for Employee Free Choice Act as a key next step in the fight for a real people’s economic recovery.

“Having a union made it possible for these folks to fight back and win. We need more workers in unions, fighting back against corporate greed to get out of this economic crisis. The Employee Free Choice Act will make that possible,” said JwJ Northeast Organizer Laura McSpedon .

Tour dates for the coming week are below. Visit http://jwj.org/bailout/republic_tour.html for more tour dates and locations.

Monday, 2/9

Detroit , MI
6:00pm
Community/Labor forum
IBEW hall
1358 Abbott (off Trumbull)
Food & music!
contact: jwjsem@gmail.com