Angry Workers Camp Out in Chicago Factory After Layoff

Further, union officials said Republic failed to give the 60 days' notice required by federal law and that Bank of America, its major creditor, barred the company from paying for the 60-day period or for vacation time earned by employees.

Many have been saying the bailout of companies and financial institutions have been neglecting a key component: workers. And this seems to be yet another instance, particularly with Bank of America having received $25 billion from the government in the bailout.

While BofA is quite obviously not responsible for Republic's liabilities, all should be working toward forward-looking resolutions in cases of this nature.

"It's completely shameless that Bank of America took billions in taxpayer dollars and cuts off credit to a company we believe could have stayed in business," United Electrical Workers union official Leah Fried said.

Workers were angried still further when company officials failed to show up at a Friday meeting arranged by Chicago Congressman Luis Gutierrez Another meeting is scheduled for Monday.

Reports are that if negotiations with Bank of America fail to resolve the issue, there will be a picket of BoA’s Chicago headquarters at 231 S. La Salle on Tuesday, December 9 at 12 noon.