Mike Malloy

[lkmpls]

The United Electrical workers at New Era Windows collective in Chicago -who hit the headlines in 2008 with Republic Windows and Doors (subsequently Serious Energy) are back, occupying the factory once again.



"The UE members at the Goose Island plant of Serious Energy, formerly Republic Windows, in Chicago are trying to keep alive their dream of taking over the ailing factory and running it as a cooperative. They have formed a company, New Era Windows, LLC, and secured funding, but the present owner is threatening to sell the factory’s equipment out from under them. Accordingly, the union has invoked the arbitration clause in its shutdown agreement with the employer."

http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/crunch-time-for-the-serious-energy-workers/


"Last week, workers at the former Serious Energy factory on Goose Island filed for legal arbitration in order to help their newly formed collective, New Era Windows, obtain equipment from their former employer. "

http://chicagoist.com/2012/07/11/new_era_windows_workers_continue_st.php




UE Local 1110 Again Occupies Window Plant In Fight Against Plant Closing

http://www.ueunion.org/ue_serious_occupation.html

"The workers of the just-formed New Era Windows cooperative in Chicago—the same workers who sat in and forced Serious Energy to back down on a hasty shutdown of their Goose Island plant a few months ago, and famously occupied the same factory for six days in December 2008—not only are putting together a bold plan for worker ownership
they are likely to move the entire subject into national attention, thereby spurring others to follow on."

http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/07/03/a-new-era-for-worker-ownership/




In DC, Bernie Sanders introduces his bill for expanded employee controlled enterprises!

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=2c50327e-fd1b-47cf-a6cc-ebd514b03344

This is a fight for workers ownership and control, right now! What could be more important?

***

[lkmpls]

From WBEZ.org Chicago:

"About 60 employees began another occupation of the factory February 23. After 11 hours inside, they left with an agreement. Their union — the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Local 1110 — says Serious Energy promised to keep the plant open another 90 days and help find a buyer.



Now about two dozen of the workers have formed a cooperative, New Era Windows LLC, in hopes of purchasing the business themselves. They are not disclosing investors but say they have raised nearly $500,000 to buy some of the plant’s equipment and resume production.

A union official said Serious Energy agreed late Thursday to hold off on a planned auction and resume negotiations with the workers....."

http://www.wbez.org/news/workers-troubled-window-factory-turn-mayor-100681