[Marxism] UE California Company Ready to Purchase Assets of Republic Windows

[Greg McDonald <sabocat59@xxxxxxx>]

UE: California Company Ready to Purchase Assets of Republic Windows,  
Put UE Members Back to Work

14 January 2009, Chicago

UE Local 1110 announced today that the leading company in the green  
window business -- Serious Materials, based in Sunnyvale, California  
-- is in the final stages of working out an agreement to purchase the  
assets of Republic Windows and Doors.  Members of UE Local 1110  
staged a sit-in last month to win severance, health benefits and  
earned vacation pay, after the plant's previous owner shut down with  
only three days' notice to workers.

Though some details still need to be finalized, the union is told  
that the parties are very close to inking a deal.  "We are all  
hopeful about the possibility of Serious reopening our plant.  This  
would be a very happy ending to our struggle," said former Republic  
worker and Local 1110 Vice President Melvin Maclin.

Serious Materials is a leading manufacturer of energy saving green  
building products.  Their stated mission is to reduce greenhouse  
gases by one billion tons annually.  "These are the green-collar jobs  
we need for the future of our community," said Armando Robles, former  
Republic maintenance worker and president of Local 1110.  Serious  
Materials and the union believe there is market in the Midwest for  
the energy-efficient, super-insulating windows and commercial glass  
that Serious makes.

Serious has said that it hopes, after a ramp-up period, to eventually  
hire all of the former Republic workforce.  For that to happen,  
however, the bankruptcy court must act quickly.  The local fears that  
if the court delays, the business will evaporate and it will be  
difficult to re-hire anyone.  "We hope that the creditors, trustee  
and judge will allow Serious to purchase the assets soon, so I and my  
co-workers can start making windows again," said Robles.
For more information, go to <www.ueunion.org/>. 
  

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