An insightful article by Benjamin Dangl compares the Republic occupation to those in Argentina in 2001, during Argentina's financial crisis. He writes, "at a time when politicians have failed to respond appropriately to one of the worst US economic crises in history, the occupation of the Republic Windows and Doors factory is a reminder that desperate times call for fresh approaches to social change."
The Bank of America Rally was not just focused on the Republic workers, but was a response to multiple issues tied to the current US economic crisis. The rally was also in support of the many Chicago residents being evicted from their homes due to foreclosures by Bank of America. Bank of America was given $25 billion from the Wall Street Bailout in order to stabilize the financial system, none of which has been used to support jobs or housing. Even with rising unemployment and the deepening recession, banks are carrying on business as usual. However, it is also interesting to consider the actions of the Republic factory ownership. As hundreds were protesting against Bank of America last week, the company of Republic Windows and Doors was finalizing business at their new location in Iowa.
This announcement came as no surprise in the international solidarity world, as it is a very common tactic in Latin America. One of the easiest and most effective ways to destroy a union is to close the factory and open up elsewhere, just far enough away that the union workers can't be bused there.
More than anything, the Republic occupation is a wake up call. Flagrant labor rights violations happen everywhere, including right here on our own soil (Kim Bobo's new book Wage Theft in America discusses the current exploitation of US workers). Workers everywhere have to stand up to the same tactics. At the Bank of America, the rally participants marched, surrounding the bank's headquarters, shouting, "You got bailed out! We got sold out!" These cries, echoed in many forms around the world, are hopefully a sign that working people everywhere refuse to be ignored and bullied any longer.
