Union Workers Rally and Hold Historic "Sit In" Vote to Save their Jobs at Hartmarx Corp.
"WellsFargo has received $25 billion in taxpayer assistance through TARP. In other words, the workers WellsFargo may throw out on the street have been subsidizing its operations during these tough economic times. So much for returning the favor." - Congressman Phil Hare
This Monday, May 11, 500 workers at the Chicago-based apparel firm Hart Schaffner & Marx will hold a rally and historic "sit in" vote to fight for their jobs as major lender and TARP fund recipient Wells Fargo & Co. pushes for a bankruptcy closure of the facility.
Mirroring the struggle of 250 Republic Windows and Doors workers who succeeded at saving their jobs last December, Hartmarx workers, members of the union Workers United, an SEIU affiliate, are receiving growing support from state and national leaders who are slamming Wells Fargo -- a $25 billion taxpayer bailout recipient -- for shortsightedly refusing to invest in U.S. companies and workers. Illinois Treasurer Giannoulias has vowed "Unless the company remains open, [Wells Fargo] will not be doing business with the state of Illinois any longer."
The Hartmarx workers' struggle sounds the alarm on what could be a firestorm of job losses and company closures perpetuated by U.S. financial institutions. Ruby Sims who has worked at Hartmarx for 31 years states "I can't believe that a bank that got some of this [TARP] money would turn around and do us like this."
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