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Republic: We Blame the Bank

Window company, Bank of American finger pointing

Sunday, Dec 14, 2008 | Updated 8:26 AM CDT

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Workers occupied the Republic Windows and Doors factory Dec. 6, in Chicago. The workers, who received a three day's notice that their factory was shutting down, demanded severance and vacation pay they maintain they were owed.

There's been plenty of blame to hand out over the sit-in at Republic Windows and Doors. Now the company is pointing fingers at Bank of America.

Republic representatives said Friday the bank blocked a deal that would have allowed them to be profitable this year and save 240 union jobs here.

Richard Gellman, owner of Republic, denied that his family's formation of non-union Iowa-based Echo Windows was part of any grand plan to rid Republic of its union. Echo Windows was created through the purchase of a division of window manufacturer TRACO.

Bank of America has repeatedly denied responsibility for the plant closing.

Read the full story in the Chicago Sun-Times.