With the closure of Moline's Quad City Die Casting Plant just days away, the union representing the 100 laid-off workers is fighting the company's management and its main creditor, Wells Fargo, for refusing to pay out earned vacation pay and health insurance benefits to the staff. A spokesperson for Wells Fargo told the Quad City Times on Monday that the lender isn't responsible for the decision. "The issues raised today about pay and benefits, however, are between management, the union and the employees," wrote Angie Kaipust in an e-mailed statement. "Wells Fargo does not decide how a company should meet its obligations to its union members." Gov. Pat Quinn and U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias disagree.

In statements today, both castigated Wells Fargo and the Quad City owners for failing to meet their legal obligations. Here's Quinn:

"The workers can easily be paid for all these benefits from only a portion of what Wells Fargo & Co. expects to collect upon disposing of Quad City Die Casting's assets.  I strongly support the workers of QCDC.  I urge the CEO and senior managers Wells Fargo & Co. to do what is right and pay these employees for their well-deserved benefits."

Giannoulias, who was involved in the Hartmarx labor struggle this spring, agreed with Quinn, adding that Wells Fargo needs to "make the equitable and right decision to pay these dedicated workers what they are owed."