Barack Obama has expressed support for union protests of a sudden Republic Windows and Doors factory closing in Chicago. The factory closed its doors on December 5, after its Bank of America line of credit was canceled. The United Electrical, Radio and Machine workers union is conducting a sit-in to demand owed wages and benefits, as well as continued operations with 60 days notice and severance packages in the event of another closure. The incident has sparked controversy since Bank of America received government funds under the Troubled Asset Relief Program ? a factor that hasn't helped the factory workers.
See "Obama Says Workers at Chicago Factory Should Get Pay", Julianna Goldman, Bloomberg News, December 7, 2008