Members of UE's North Carolina Local 150 will protest Monday at the Charlotte national headquarters of Bank of America, in support of UE members in Chicago who are occupying their factory, Republic Windows and Doors. National news media have been reporting over the weekend on the ongoing factory sit-in by the Chicago union members. The workers are members of UE Local 1110. The plant suddenly shut down on Friday, Dec. 5 with only three days notice to the union and workers, and without paying workers money they are owed.
Local 150 members, community supporters and students will take part in the picket and rally at 12:30 p.m. Monday, December 8, in front of Bank of America at the corner of Trade Street and Tryon Street in Charlotte.
Bank of America is Republic’s main creditor and controls the company’s day-to-day finances. The plant closing was precipitated by the bank cutting off credit to Republic. Bank of America received $25 billion in federal funds as part of the recent $700 billion bailout of the financial industry. But rather than using that taxpayer money to keep credit flowing to businesses and retain jobs, the union charges, Bank of America is causing these workers, who manufacture energy-efficient doors and windows, to lose their jobs. The bank even refused to authorize the release of money needed to pay workers their earned vacation pay, and compensation they are owed under the federal WARN Act because they were not given the legally-required notice that the plant would close.
Angaza Laughinghouse, President of UE Local 150, the North Carolina Public Service Workers Union, says, “We are outraged that any bank receiving taxpayer bailout funds would bring about a plant closing and then deny workers their legally-due notice and pay. We are even more ashamed that it is Bank of America, based in our state. We will do everything possible here in North Carolina to help our brothers and sisters in Chicago win this important battle for workers all over the country.”