The revolt in Chicago didn’t make the mainstream for days, and when it did there was no mention of what was at the heart of it — for example, the words “Bank of America“and “bailout” never appeared in this early report from the Associated Press. But as soon as the story broke beyond the Indypendent and other alternatives that were on it first, Jesse Jackson was calling the takeover of the Republic Windows and Doors factory “the beginning of a larger movement for mass action to resist economic violence,” and President-elect Barack Obama was calling the action “absolutely right.”

Whatever else it is, the drama on Goose Island is a microcosm of the moment, a story that involves the financial crisis and immigration and the changing role of labor unions and Chicago, the place that molded the new leader that’s got the nation and the world so enthralled. Melville House has decided we can’t wait for the rest of the truth to catch up to mainstream outlets. We’ve asked Kari Lydersen, a staffer at the Chicago bureau of The Washington Post and author of Out of the Sea and into the Fire: Latin American-U.S. Immigration in a Global Age (Common Courage Press), to blog on what we think is one of the biggest, most revealing—not to mention inspiring— stories of our time. Her first report follows ….

Chicago, December 8, 2009 — Until recently most of the workers at Republic Windows and Doors — a spacious factory located on the industrial enclave of Goose Island in the midst of the Chicago River — felt like their jobs were secure even as they heard about waves of lay-offs across the country.

Most of them had been there for close to a decade up to almost four decades. Even as the Midwest was being torn asunder by massive auto industry and manufacturing job losses, Chicago seemed to be weathering the storm better than most. The city was elated by the election of Barack Obama, and city leaders lobbying for the 2016 Olympics were selling the world a glorious picture of the strong, diverse city built on solid working class roots. To top it off the workers are represented by the UE (United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America), a non-AFL CIO union known for fearless and creative advocacy for its members.

Around Thanksgiving rumors spread as heavy equipment was reportedly moved out of the plant. But union leaders and workers were assured everything was fine, they said. A month or two earlier a worker named Ron had asked to redeem some of his five weeks vacation time, just because he needed a break. He was told he couldn’t, there was too much business.

Then on Tuesday Dec. 2, in a meeting in the cafeteria workers were told the plant would close on Friday. They were shocked, afraid and furious. They would not get paid for their vacation time – Ron’s five weeks and similar amounts other workers had saved up would disappear. Likewise they would not get 60 days severance pay or notice, as mandated by the WARN Act of 1988. And their health benefits would be cut off – they were told on Dec. 15; as it turned out, the benefits ended Friday, not even giving them time to squeeze in a final doctor’s appointment.

Workers were told the plant had to close because of the economic crisis, and since its main lender Bank of America would not extend it enough credit to stay open any longer.

In a decision harkening back to a previous era, the workers decided not to take it. They voted to occupy the plant, preventing the removal of equipment and inventory, until they were paid their severance and vacation wages or given their jobs back.

At first the news seemed to provoke confusion and bemusement among the general public and mainstream media. A factory occupation was unheard of virtually since the famous sit-down strikes in the auto industry in the 1930s, having later been made illegal by the Taft-Hartley Act. People didn’t know how to deal with the news that workers were “occupying” a factory; and it is a markedly different situation than the Flint sit-down strike and its ilk since those regarded union recognition or negotiations at an active plant, whereas this plant is officially closed.

Company management, who have shied from public comment in the media storm which surely took them by surprise, reached an agreement with the union to allow them to remain in the factory if they kept it secure and clean and allowed only workers and union staff on the shop floor. So the workers dug in their heels and embarked on an energetic and wildly successful public outreach campaign, drawing waves of supporters from other unions, activist groups and the general public along with scores of national, local and Spanish language media. They directed their demands mainly at Bank of America, saying that after receiving $25 billion in federal taxpayer bailout money, the institution should step up to bat for a company like Republic. Two huge inflatable rats trucked over by the International Union of Operating Engineers held signs decrying Bank of America. Workers and supporters wore bright stickers begging the bank not to steal Christmas from the employees – mostly Latino immigrants and African Americans – and their families.

Over the weekend President Elect Obama and several federal elected officials voiced support for the workers. On Monday Dec. 8, the fourth day of the sit-in, Gov. Rod Blagojevich visited the factory and told state agencies to boycott Bank of America until it comes through for the workers. After a raucous day of chants, picket signs and lifted expectations, late Monday afternoon union leaders met with Bank of America and Republic Windows reps. A growing crowd braved the cold outside the factory, huddled around a bonfire or stamping their feet while waving their picket signs. Workers spent time inside the factory in shifts similar to their usual work routine, since they agreed not all 200-plus would be inside at once. A semi truck pulled up to disgorge bags and boxes of donated groceries, ferried efficiently from hand to hand into the factory to the tune of chants of “Si se puede.”

By about 8pm as a hard, icy rain was falling, UE leaders and US Rep. Luis Gutierrez and local alderman Billy Ocasio returned from the meeting to report to the crowd. Bank officials had called a lid on the meeting, which Gutierrez described as positive in tone, and promised to resume talks at 1 pm the following day (Tuesday Dec. 9). A statement released by the bank earlier pledged agreement with the goal of meeting promises to the workers, but said the bank could not extend more credit and essentially blamed Republic Windows for its failing business. As icy rain streamed down the speakers’ faces and into their collars, below a hovering reporter’s camera clothed in a brown down hood, UE Local 1110 president Armando Robles vowed the workers will stay in the factory until their demands are met.

A worker named Dagoberto said ruefully he thinks a solution must be reached now or never. He was encouraged and elated by all the public support and media attention, but he worried it will fade as the holidays approach if the struggle wears on. As the crowd dispersed the exhausted workers staying for the “night shift” retreated onto the shop floor, followed by a priest carrying purple vestments and a plastic container of communion wafers for an impromptu mass.

“I hope we get some justice here,” said Ron. “We have worldwide support, workers have been stepped on for so long, maybe this will set a precedent that corporate America can’t just take advantage of regular people.”

• Read part two: Revolt on Goose Island