andrew freund

A story of the courage, resolve, creativity, and solidarity of the workers at Republic Windows and Doors who stood up for their rights after being thrown out of work three weeks before Christmas 2008.

Click here to view the trailer.

Co-sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace and the Troy Area Labor Council.

Workers’ Republic
(Filmmaker: Andrew Freund, 2009, 62 min)
"When the economy fell, they stood up."
http://www.workersrepublic.tv

Three weeks before Christmas 2008, in the depths of the economic crisis, Chicago company Republic Windows and Doors told their workforce that the factory was closing shop. Republic executives complained about dwindling sales due to the crash of the housing market. Three days later, when the Republic employees came in to pick up their final paychecks, they were informed that they would not be paid for their final week or receive their accrued vacation pay. Their insurance benefits were cut immediately, and they were denied the 60-day severance guaranteed under the federal WARN Act.