“Wells Fargo is a roadblock to economic recovery.” UE members to block roads to Wells Fargo and risk arrest.

Press Release from UE:

 

Workers at Quad City Die Casting are in a race to save their jobs, health insurance and benefits.  They are prepared to block a road and risk arrest to dramatize that Wells Fargo is acting as a roadblock to economic recovery.

 

UE, the workers’ union, charges that Wells Fargo is acting as a roadblock to economic recovery by choosing to close and liquidate Quad City Die Casting instead of doing what is necessary to keep the company in business until a sale is finalized.   There are currently several interested parties looking to make a bid to purchase the company. 

 

Wells Fargo pulled financing from Quad City Die Casting, forcing the company to announce it would close this summer.  Over 100 people stand to lose their jobs, with an economic impact on the Quad Cities of $6.1 million annually in lost wages and tax revenue.

 

To add insult to injury, Wells Fargo would not approve the expenditure of pay and benefits owed to workers.  According to company management, Wells Fargo approves all expenditures by the company on a weekly basis.

 

 “Wells Fargo is throwing us out of work and hurting our economy in the process.  That’s why we are prepared to get arrested to show the world that this bank is a roadblock to economic recovery.  They take our bailout billions, but then won’t keep America working.  On top of that they deny us benefits we are legally owed and have earned!” said Keith Schribner, President of UE Local 1174.

 

UE is the union that occupied Republic Windows and Doors, winning a $1.75 million settlement for the workers in December 2008.  Wells Fargo is the bank that had attempted to liquidate Hartmarx and was recently pushed to save those jobs and sell the company.

 

When:  Thursday July 9, 2009    5pm

 

Where:  Wells Fargo Bank, 1800 30thStreet   Rock Island, IL