Last month we broke the news
that the laid-off Republic Windows workers could soon be back on the factory
floor if California-based Serious Materials succeeded in its bid to buy
the shuttered Chicago plant.
Well, the deal has been sealed. Yesterday, a bankruptcy court signed off on Serious’ bid to buy the factory and, under an agreement between the new owners and UE Local 1110, all of the former Republic workers will eventually be making eco-friendly windows at union-wages. More from a UE Local 1110 release:
Serious Materials has also reached agreement with UE Local 1110, ensuring that all former Republic employees will be rehired at their former rate of pay. The UE will continue to represent workers at the factory.
“We are happy that the purchase of our former plant by Serious Materials has been approved. Our members are ready to get back to work and make great energy efficient green windows for Serious. We look forward to working together to create green jobs at living wages,” said Armando Robles, President of UE Local 1110.
The Tribune has additional details from the union:
The factory will reopen in about a month with a small crew of workers, with more employees being rehired as production demand increases, said UE organizer Mark Meinster.
“Everybody’s looking forward to getting back to work,” Meinster said.
A hearty congratulations to the union and the workers themselves. Alds. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) and Manny Flores (1st Ward) also deserve credit for shedding light on the taxpayer dollars that originally subsidized the former owners, and also for acting on their vision of attracting sustainable green businesses to the Goose Island manufacturing corridor. As we’ve noted before, Flores has valuable experience on this front, having developed a green business hub in his ward to replace the old Cooper Lamp factory.
If there’s a lesson to be learned here, it’s that the reckless tactics exhibited by the former Republic Windows owners doesn’t always pay off. As we noted several days ago, their attempt to open a cheaper, non-union shop in Iowa appears to have already failed. Meanwhile, the future is looking bright for Serious and its employees.
Comments
Laborguy (not verified) on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 12:04
Congratulations to the UE for waging a determined and principled fight on behalf of their members and workers all over the country facing similarly unscrupulous bosses. A heartly welcome to Chicago for the Serious Corporation. Hopefully, some of the federal stimulus dollars ear-marked for green renovations of government buildings will find their way to your company. The Republic Window fight demonstrates once again that unions are still a powerful a relevant force in the lives of millions of working families.
Realist (not verified) on Fri, 02/27/2009 - 17:13
I echo the sentiments of Laborguy. I wish that such luck could befall the UAW workers about to be screwed out of everything as the Big Three flounder. I even include those who are not unionized in wishing luck upon the workers of the United States. One lesson I hope is learned by the labor class: one cannot allow specious "social" issues to separate the voters from their economic self-interest. Remaining true to your own economic needs and values ensures that you can also worry about those social issues - if they continue to plague you.
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