Protest Wells Fargo - 11 a.m. Thursday 6/11

[Mark Meinster]

UE Local 1174 Quad City Die Casting workers, Jobs With Justice and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition rally at Wells Fargo in Chicago

Workers facing plant closing similar to Republic Windows call on bank to restore financing

Why: A caravan of workers from Quad City Die Casting, members of the union UE which occupied the Republic Windows factory last year, will be making the trek to Wells Fargo offices in Chicago to call on the bank to restore financing to their factory in Moline, IL, which is scheduled to close July 12, leading to the loss of 100 jobs.  

Wells Fargo, who received $25 billion in bank bailout money, is refusing to extend credit to Quad City Die Casting, a 60 year old family owned business. Wells Fargo has so far refused to speak to the workers about the situation.

Quad City Die Casting workers, members of UE Local 1174 of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) will be joined by allies from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a national network of housing groups and other supporters from the Chicago area.  

Wells Fargo is also under fire for targeting African American borrowers for high-rate subprime loans. The Baltimore Sun reports allegations that Wells Fargo "joked that they were 'riding the stagecoach to hell' for routinely steering prime-loan-qualified customers toward subprime loans."

"They say the banks are too big to fail, but what about us?  Aren't our families too important to fail?" said UE 1174 member and Q.C. Die Casting worker Deborah Johann.

The UE drew national attention last year when workers occupied the Republic Windows and Doors factory after banks cut off credit to the Chicago factory.

Who:  UE Local 1174 members - workers from Quad City Die Casting, Jobs With Justice, members of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a national network of housing groups and other allies.

What:  UE Local 1174 members - workers from Quad City Die Casting, in Moline, IL, members of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and other allies are calling on West Fargo to save hundreds of living wage jobs and keep their factory open. 

When:  Thursday, June 11 at 11 a.m.

Where:  Well Fargo Bank 230 W. Monroe - corner of Franklin and Monroe

For more info call Mark Meinster at 773-405-3022

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Mark Meinster

International Representative

United Electrical Workers (UE)

Chicago, IL

(312) 829-8300

www.ueunion.org