Chicago sit-in ends in victory of sorts

A six-day sit-in by laid off workers at Republic Windows and Doors has won severance pay and benefits, according to chicagotribune.com, but not a deal to re-open the plant.

The 240 workers who had occupied the factory since its abrupt closing Dec. 5 voted unanimously Wednesday night to accept a deal to pay them severance, vacation time, and temporary health care benefits. The $1.75 million agreement was negotiated over three days with the workers' union, Republic owners and lender Bank of America.

Union negotiators were unable to obtain a commitment from the parties to reopen the Goose Island plant, said United Electrical Workers organizer Mark Meinster. So the union has decided to forge ahead to find someone new to run the plant, he said, using some of the money donated from around the world during the sit-in.

An interesting analysis of the strike and its results can be found at socialistworker.org.