Laid-Off Workers Become Symbol of Mounting Anger

Laid-Off Workers Become Symbol of Mounting Anger

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HICAGO (Map, News) - The nation's grim economy now has a rallying point: Employees at a window-and-door factory that went out of business have taken over the building in a siege that has come to symbolize the woes of the ordinary worker.

The Republic Windows and Doors factory closed abruptly last week after Bank of America canceled the company's financing. Since then, about 200 of the 240 laid-off workers have taken turns occupying the factory, declaring that they will not leave until getting assurances they will receive severance and accrued vacation pay.

But the standoff has also come to embody mounting anger over the government's willingness to bail out deep-pocketed corporations but not average people.

"There's a simplicity and straightforwardness to this particular case that anybody can wrap their head around," said James Thindwa, executive director for the Chicago office of Jobs With Justice, a national coalition of unions, community groups and other organizations.

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This protest has received encouragement from President-elect Obama as well as other well-known figures.

The need for this protest is a prime example of the Bush administration's policy of taking care of Wall Street and not taking care of Main Street.

Bank of America, the bank that terminated Republic's loan, has just received a huge bailout from Washinton. Wasn't it supposed to be used to make further loans to companies like this one? The saying that there's a big divide, as far as aid is concerned, between those who shower before work and those who shower after work is exemplified here. The big bankers aren't getting it.

Now there's a resurgance of sympathy and support for laid-off workers and the labor unions who represent them. It's been a long time (at least 8 years) since we've seen something like this. It's been a long time coming.

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