Chicago Workers' Sit-In Becomes Rallying Point

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Chicago workers' sit-in becomes rallying point
Sunday, December 7, 2008 7:11 PM EST
The Associated Press
By RUPA SHENOY Associated Press Writer

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago workers in the third day of a sit-in on the floor of their former workplace peered through the windows of a door Sunday, amazed by a mix of supporters, politicians and journalists who packed a foyer outside. "We never expected this," said Melvin Maclin, a factory employee and vice president of the local union that represents the workers. "We expected to go to jail."

The 200 workers demanding severance and vacation pay have become a national symbol for thousands of employees laid off nationwide as the economy continues to sour. They occupied the plant of their former employer, Republic Windows and Doors, after the company abruptly fired them last week. At a news conference Sunday, President-elect Barack Obama said Republic should follow through on its commitments to its workers. "The workers who are asking for the benefits and payments that they have earned, I think they're absolutely right and understand that what's happening to them is reflective of what's happening across this economy," Obama said.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered turkeys to the workers, pledging the support of his Chicago-based civil rights group, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. "These workers deserve their wages, deserve fair notice, deserve health security," Jackson said. "This may be the beginning of long struggle of worker resistance finally."
Leah Fried, an organizer for the United Electrical Workers union that represents the workers, said the company told the union that Bank of America has canceled its financing.

Bank of America received $25 billion as part of a government bailout. Some workers carried signs Sunday that said: "You got bailed out. We got sold out."

Read more: http://myembarq.com/news/read.php?ps=1011&rip_id=%3CD94U6EIO0%40news.ap.org%3E&_LT=HOME_LARSDCCLM_UNEWS

[aquart]

1. "United Electrical Workers"? Where's IBEW?

[Mopar151]

2. Different union

"United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America"

[aquart]

8. I get that.

I'm trying to figure out the difference.

[Hannah Bell]

11. UE = historically radical, members-run union.

http://www.ueunion.org/

What do we mean by
"Rank-and-File" unionism?

The term "rank-and-file" is defined as "those who form the major portion of any group or organization, excluding the leaders and officers." In UE, we use the term "rank-and-file unionism" to describe how our union operates: it simply means it's the members who run our union ... in a democratic and collective manner. The members set the policies of the union and make all of the decisions of importance that affect their own local unions.

Long-time UE officer and organizer Ernie DeMaio defined UE's unique style of rank-and-file unionism this way: the members elect the union's officers (local, district and national) who, in turn, are required to report on their stewardship of the union concerning its "policies, program, expenditures and contract negotiations which must have the prior consent of the members and their approval on all of the actions taken, and contracts negotiated, on their behalf. The essence of rank-and-file unionism is not democratic rhetoric, but democratic practice. The members run the union."

UE operates on two basic principles: rank-and-file control and aggressive struggle. Our slogan is "The Members Run This Union," and in the union's more than 140 autonomous locals around the country, that's exactly what happens.

UE carefully avoids the top-down, top-heavy, bureaucratic style of many unions by promoting membership control. The salary of the union's three top elected officers is limited by the UE Constitution to the top wage paid in the industry (currently set at less than $51,000.) It's hard to think (or act) like a big shot on a worker's wage. More important, this policy keeps UE leaders in touch with the lives of our members — we believe it's too easy for labor leaders to develop "boss-like" points of view if they've become comfortable with "boss-size" salaries.

Since membership control is critically important to UE, we hold annual national conventions. Elected local union representatives meet each year to set UE policy by debating and approving resolutions submitted by local unions from around the country. To hold conventions less frequently would only reduce the voice of the membership in running the union.

[Hannah Bell]

12. A Proud Record

UE was the first union to win paid vacations and holidays, seniority rights and other rights on the job for hundreds of thousands of workers in basic industry. UE stresses strong workplace organization and militant shop floor action over legal maneuvering. In the 1980s, UE was the first union to resist the employers' drive for concessions and the first union to sound a warning about "quality circles" and other phoney "labor-management" cooperation schemes.

UE gained an early reputation as a fighter for the rights of women workers and as an opponent of racial discrimination. In the 1950s, UE mounted public campaigns to force major electrical manufacturing corporations to agree to non-discrimination clauses. UE was among the first to organize undocumented workers and speak out on behalf of immigrants. As an early critic of the Vietnam War, the union campaigned for redirecting the federal budget toward job-creating, socially-useful production

[quidam56]

3. WE ARE WITH YOU ! Change will come from the bottom up,

They say time changes things, but actually you have to change them yourself - Andy Warhol http://www.wisecountyissues.com Change is on its way in Appalachia from the bottom up !

[Triana]

4. "You got bailed out. We got sold out"

That says it all right there re: goddamned banks - did it to all of us.

[bluecollarcharlie]

5. Those guys better be careful........

With the wholesale sellout of union people by our so called friends, i wouldn't be surprised if someone around here on this site called the cops to support carpet-bombing the plant. And supported B of A getting the 25 mil.

[aquart]

9. Why? Obama supports them.

[freedomnorth]

6. duplicate topic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3633656&mesg_id=3633656

[emlev]

7. Company has a toll-free number ... got anything to say to them?

Toll Free: 800-248-1775
Found that on their website, http://www.republicwindows.com.

[closeupready]

10. K&R

and bumping for later.