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Obama supports workers occupation in Chicago

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sauronsfinger
Post subject: Obama supports workers occupation in Chicago
Posted: Sun 07 Dec , 2008 10:33 pm
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http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/o ... 08.article" target="_blank" target="_blank
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Obama defends Republic Windows and Doors workers
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December 7, 2008

BY ABDON PALLASCH Sun-Times Political Reporter
President-elect Barack Obama put himself on the side of the workers at the Republic Windows and Doors factory Sunday:

“When it comes to the situation here in Chicago with the workers who are asking for their benefits and payments they have earned, I think they are absolutely right,” Obama said Sunday at a news conference announcing his new Veterans Affairs director. “What’s happening to them is reflective of what’s happening across this economy.


“When you have a financial system that is shaky, credit contracts. Businesses large and small start cutting back on their plants and equipment and their workforces. That’s why it’s so important for us to maintain a strong financial system. But it’s also important for us to make sure that the plans and programs that we design aren’t just targeted at maintaining the solvency of banks, but they are designed to get money out the doors and to help people on Main Street. So, number one, I think that these workers, if they have earned their benefits and their pay, then these companies need to follow through on those commitments.

“Number two, I think it is important for us to make sure that, moving forward, any economic plan we put in place helps businesses to meet payroll so we are not seeing these kinds of circumstances again,’’ he said. “Have we done everything that we can to make sure credit is flowing to businesses and to families, and to students who are trying to get loans? And to homeowners who have been making payments on their homes but are still finding their property values so depressed that it becomes very difficult for them to make the mortgage payments?

“That’s where the rubber hits the road and that’s going to be the central focus of my administration.”
It is so great to have a US President finally on the side of the working women and men of this land for a change. :toast:

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Jude
Post subject: Re: Obama supports workers occupation in Chicago
Posted: Sun 07 Dec , 2008 10:41 pm
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Some background info would be helpful - what triggered this? Was there a company called Republic Doors and Windows that didn't pay its employees? (that's what I guess from the article)

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Riverthalos
Post subject: Re: Obama supports workers occupation in Chicago
Posted: Sun 07 Dec , 2008 11:02 pm
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In a nutshell, the company very suddenly shut down. They were supposed to give their workers 75 days notice (Illinois law). Instead, the workers got FOUR days notice that they were all out of jobs. This is also a violation of federal labor law, which requires two months notice. And they're not going to pay the workers what they're owed, which is in violation of a whole number of things, including the union contract. So, yeah, the workers have a right to be pissed and that company has some explaining to do.

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Ara-anna
Post subject: Re: Obama supports workers occupation in Chicago
Posted: Mon 08 Dec , 2008 2:26 am
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TheEllipticalDisillusion
Post subject: Re: Obama supports workers occupation in Chicago
Posted: Mon 08 Dec , 2008 2:55 am
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This is proof that Obama is a communist, right?

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sauronsfinger
Post subject: Re: Obama supports workers occupation in Chicago
Posted: Mon 08 Dec , 2008 12:36 pm
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Well actually he needsto support five more worker occupations, the killing of six more CEO's and confiscation of at least three major companies by the government (there are not that many after Bush has bought in to so many) before he can move up from SOCIALIST to the level of COMMUNIST.

But he is trying. ;)

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Jude
Post subject: Re: Obama supports workers occupation in Chicago
Posted: Mon 08 Dec , 2008 2:01 pm
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Thanks for the link, River.

So is the company going bankrupt? If so, I don't hold out much hope for the workers to get the money owed to them, even though that have an obvious right to it. But if the company is in good shape and just "restructuring", then yes, they'd better pay up.

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LalaithUrwen
Post subject: Re: Obama supports workers occupation in Chicago
Posted: Mon 08 Dec , 2008 8:35 pm
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Okay, what is with this? Saint Obama? :suspicious:

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Cenedril_Gildinaur
Post subject: Re: Obama supports workers occupation in Chicago
Posted: Mon 08 Dec , 2008 9:16 pm
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Obama is right for the wrong reason. But at least he's right.

The sanctity of the contract the company made to the employees should be safeguarded.

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TheEllipticalDisillusion
Post subject: Re: Obama supports workers occupation in Chicago
Posted: Mon 08 Dec , 2008 10:41 pm
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Maybe in the next four years Obama will accumulate enough SOCIALIST experience points, and can level up before the next election. Does he get to choose a feat when he reaches COMMUNIST? :D

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