Republic Strikers Launch "New Wave Of Worker Resistance"

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Workers who staged and won a six-day sit-in strike at Republic Windows and Doors last December spoke of a “new wave of worker resistance” at a DC Jobs with Justice community forum in Northwest DC last Thursday. “The victory we achieved at Republic Windows and Doors is a victory for all working people across America,” said Armando Robles (at left), a worker at the Chicago-based factory and President of United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) Local 1110. He added, “We encourage others to resist corporate greed and take the next step to call for an economic recovery that works for everyone.” Robles was joined by UE Director Bob Kingsley, who said “We are here to let people know that money will never outweigh the voice of millions of workers across America.” He added, “It was the support of the union, labor allies, religious groups and the community that made our victory possible; solidarity works!” Metropolitan Washington Council President Joslyn Williams delivered the opening remarks at the forum, discussing the challenges and opportunities workers face in the District. “Like thousands of workers in Washington DC, the workers at Republic Windows and Doors were told that they were going to lose their jobs because of a bad economy.” He added, “For the first time in this country in decades, 260 workers took the brave and militant step of occupying their factory until they got what was rightfully theirs.” President Williams also highlighted the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act, saying “To win the kind of victories that are needed to get us out of this economic crisis, we will need the vision, courage and the militancy of the Republic Workers, as well as legislation like the Employee Free Choice Act so that more workers can organize.” – report/photo by Adam Wright