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Panel at Chicago Cultural Center to feature reporters, authors, and politicians.

CHICAGO – - Join The Public Square, a program of the Illinois Humanities Council, for a panel discussion on the ongoing repercussions of the historic Republic Windows and Doors factory occupation on Tuesday, October 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater (77 E. Randolph St., Chicago).

The panel will feature Washington Post reporter Kari Lydersen; former Chicago Tribune Labor reporter Stephen Franklin; and lawyer, author, and former Democratic congressional candidate Tom Geoghegan discuss the historic takeover and its implications for the future of organized labor. Lydersen is the author of a new book on the takeover, Revolt on Goose Island, which NewCity called a “clear and emotionally compelling account.” The evening’s discussion will also consider other actions that were inspired by Republic and ongoing efforts to re-open the factory.     

It has been one of the most closely watched U.S. labor struggles in recent memory. Ten months ago, 200 workers at Chicago’s Republic Windows and Doors occupied their factory for nine days after factory owners gave workers just three days’ notice of the plant’s closure after Bank of America cut off the company’s line of credit. The protest, organized by the United Electrical Workers union, was one of the first U.S. factory sit-ins since the 1930s. In the months since the occupation, there have been some surprising turns: the factory was bought by another company, and some of the workers involved in the takeover have returned to their jobs.

But will more come of the story? Are the tactics used at Republic to be used again?