i saw a report on rachel maddow's show about this company, serious materials, buying republic windows in chicago. (if you recall, republic windows is the company that shut down and shut out its employees who in turn, occupied their work place demanding the severance package they were owed by law. they ultimately won that struggle and were granted their severance benefits, but of course, lost thier jobs none the less.)
in steps serious materials, a green company who, in their own words:
Serious Materials develops and manufactures sustainable green building materials
that dramatically reduce the impact of the 'built environment' on the climate.
The company was voted #1 at Cleantech Venture Forum XII, won the first Aspen
Institute award for innovation in Corporate Energy Conservation and Global
Gypsum Product of the Year. It has also been recognized by TIME/CNN, Fortune,
Business Week, AlwaysOn and more as one of the most promising green
companies.
We aim for breakthroughs in product performance, without
requiring changes in customer behavior or in how products are used – thus
speeding market adoption.
serious materials purchased the former republic windows facilities and plans on re-employing the majority of their work force, if not all of it. kudos to serious materials. (as thom hartmann would say, "caught you doing something right!"
the action on the part of the former republic windows employees was a victory for labor. this action to get those workers back to work reinforces the ideas that these workers deserve good jobs and should only be rewarded for their initiative in standing up for their rights in the matter with their former employer and that jobs and shops need to change to forward-looking and thinking, green places of business that help us all to live in harmony with our environment.
i sent serious materials the below email yesterday, addressed to their ceo, to say thanks for this great business decision. please join me in lauding serious materials. i hope their business booms.
Honorable Mr. Kevin Surace,
I am sure you will be getting hundreds and
perhaps thousands of letters like mine but I am compelled none the less to
express my gratitude and admiration regarding your decision to purchase Republic
Windows facilities and re-open their operation in your own image. I firmly
believe this will be a great business decision for you and your company. Your
action has set you apart and identified Serious Materials as a serious
forward-thinking company, one which recognizes the winds of change and values a
strong and motivated work force. I am certain those workers are going to go
above and beyond to ensure your success in that region and at that facility.
On behalf of all who toil and hope for fair treatment, thank you and
best regards.
Michael J James
