Jobs with Justice Celebrates Stance Made in Chicago

As part of their "Resistance and Recovery" tour, Workers from Republic Windows and Doors who staged and won a six-day strike in Chicago will be the centerpiece of a public forum  being held from 5:30-7PM this Thursday February 12^th at the Lafayette Presbyterian Church located at 875 Elmwood Avenue.       

The workers and UE (United Electrical Workers) members waged the sit-in strike in December of 2008 in response to the closing of their plant with a mere three days notice. Action taken by workers on the shop floor, along with nationwide support from Jobs with Justice (JwJ) and other community, faith and labor activists equated to victory in the form of benefits and a plan to reopen the doors of the plant. Ultimately, the workers won a settlement from bailout beneficiary Bank of America and Republic owners that included severance pay and compensation for unpaid earnings.

Recognizing the economic downward spiral and the millions confronting job loss and foreclosures, JwJ is celebrating the stance made in Chicago by launching a widespread campaign that puts Main Street before Wall Street. They aim to restore workers' rights to organize, ensure health care for all, encourage the creation of green jobs, and hold bailed-out banks accountable.

The Coalition for Economic Justice is the Buffalo branch of JwJ and will be co-sponsoring the event with People United for Sustainable Housing  (PUSH Buffalo).