NLRB: Republic Windows Owners Violated Federal Law

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Progress Illinois

by Adam Doster

When 250 members of United Electrical Workers Local 1110 staged a dramatic sit-in at the shuttered Republic Windows and Doors factory late last year, union advocates asserted that the owners violated federal labor law by not giving their workers 60 days compensation and any unused vacation, as required under the federal WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Act. Turns out, the unionists were right.

According to the Chi Town Daily News, the National Labor Relations Board's regional director ruled yesterday that the decision by Republic Windows owner Richard Gillman to relocate his company to Iowa -- thus avoiding its collective bargaining obligations with the UE -- was illegal. As punishment, the federal agency will seek to fine Republic an amount equalling two weeks of pay for roughly 200 members of Local 1110 who lost their jobs when the plant unexpectedly closed.

But garnishing the penalty won't necessarily be easy, as reporter Fernando Diaz explains:

The issue is complicated by the fact that Republic is operating under the protection of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Because of that, the NLRB will seek to negotiate with Republic rather than levying a fine, says Terry Morgan, a deputy assistant general counsel with the agency. Absent an agreement, the agency would have to get in line behind other creditors, which would likely diminish the amount Republic pays.



Read more: http://progressillinois.com/2009/3/28/nlrb-republic-workers-decision

[Optical.Catalyst]

1. Yep - bankruptcy - the Republican's best friend in union busting

Stand by, General Motors and Chrysler will use bankruptcy to bust the United Auto Workers if the Government gives time half a chance. One good thing though, pro-union Democrats are running the Government today, not the Republicans.

[No Elephants]

2. A settlement agrement changes your place "in line" in bankruptcy? Really? That makes

no sense.

[Massacure]

3. Why on earth would a fine not take precedence?

[christx30]

4. Probably

because the government would rather help the workers at this point than fine the company. There is only so much money to go around.