In an act of bravery and heroics, around 250 workers from Republic Windows and Doors occupied a Chicago factory after they were told, as recently as three days ago, of its closing. Rupa Shenoy, a writer for the Associated Press, explained that the workers, upon hearing of the impending closure, voted overwhelmingly to occupy the plant until they receive the severance and vacation pay they say is owed to them.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Bank of America, Republic’s principal financial lender, denied the company an extension of credit to fund their operating costs after it reported weaker than expected sales. This prompted Republic to slash all expenditures as quickly as possible. But in so doing, Republic’s management-whether knowingly or not-violated the “Illinois WARN Act,” which stipulates that workers must be told of a workplace closure 60 days prior to said closure. This particular aspect, in all estimation, will certainly benefit the workers if and when they take legal action against Republic and or Bank of America in the event the company refuses to comply with their demands.
REVOLUTION wholeheartedly salutes the militant workers from Chicago. Their intrepid actions provide inspiration to millions of Americans looking for a way to resist the accelerating attacks by the capitalists. A show of working class solidarity is essential in order for a swift and complete victory on the part of the workers. It is the duty of the working class throughout America to support the factory occupation in Chicago in any way they can. Events like these broaden and deepen the understanding of class and provide excellent conditions for the dissemination of revolutionary socialist ideas. There are, however, potential obstacles on the path to victory.
While the leadership of the United Electrical Workers is supporting and pushing for further action, the possibly of a perfidious move on their part should not be ruled out. The workers should not and must not put all their faith in the Union leadership in their struggle against Republic and Bank of America. They should support the Union when it actively works to secure their goals, but if the Union agrees to terms contrary to these, the workers must be ready to lead the strike themselves. In that event, they will need a democratically run committee that both engages each and every worker, and has a leadership directly accountable to the rank-and-file workers.
This could very well be the beginning of a whole new era of militant strike action on the part of the American working class. Leah Fried, an organizer for the United Electrical Workers, stated, “[w]e’re doing something we haven’t done since the 1930’s, so we’re trying to make it work.” Indeed, it is time to rekindle our understanding of class consciousness and the need to actively resist the onslaught by the capitalists. A victory for the workers in Chicago is a victory for the entire working class!