December 11, 2008: Workers at the Republic Windows and Doors factory in Chicago ended their week-long occupation last night, chanting "we did it!" as they left the plant. The deal includes $1.75 million in severance and back pay and two months of health coverage, affecting some 240 members of United Electrical Workers Local 1100.

“We fought to make them pay what they owe us, and we won,” remarked Local 1100 leaders regarding the settlement, which members approved unanimously.

The tactics of occupying their plant and mounting a public campaign against Bank of America, which had cut off its line of credit to Republic, drew wide public support and were central to what has been called a historic victory for the labor movement.

Read more at the United Electrical Workers’ website.

Read more at Reuters.