New Era Windows
| Company type | Worker cooperative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Vinyl windows and sliding doors |
New Era Windows is a United States-based worker cooperative created by unionized employees from Chicago who acquired their workplace, a manufacturing facility for window products situated on Goose Island.
History
Initially operated by Republic Windows and Doors and subsequently owned by Serious Energy, the factory specializes in producing vinyl windows and sliding doors. On two occasions, employees occupied the facility to protect their employment and secure owed wages.
In late 2008, following the withdrawal of Republic Windows and Doors' credit line by Bank of America, the Chicago plant was suddenly shut down. The workforce was dismissed with merely three days' warning, breaching the WARN Act, which requires a 60-day advance notice or compensation.
Members of UE Local 1110 led a six-day sit-in during December 2008 to oppose the layoffs, garnering widespread national support. Then-President Barack Obama called on Republic to fulfill its obligations to its staff. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan launched an inquiry into the WARN Act breach. Additionally, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich prohibited state transactions with Bank of America due to its involvement in the closure. Across the country, Bank of America branches experienced protests linked to the occupation. The demonstration concluded with an agreement granting workers eight weeks’ pay, accrued vacation benefits, and two months of health coverage.
This labor dispute was highlighted in Michael Moore's 2009 film Capitalism: A Love Story.
In February 2012, Serious Energy declared plans to close the plant. UE Local 1110 members, along with activists from Occupy Chicago, staged an 11-hour occupation that secured a 90-day extension despite considerable layoffs—only 38 staff remained at the time of closure announcement. This event took place amid broader support from Chicago’s Occupy movement.
Funding
Approximately two months later, California-based window producer Serious Materials (now known as Serious Energy) purchased Republic Windows and Doors for $1.45 million. The company reopened the factory and reinstated union employees according to seniority under a labor contract with UE Local 1110 that closely resembled the prior agreement. In April 2009, Vice President Joe Biden visited the site, praising its reopening as "a big deal."
On May 30, 2012, factory employees established a worker-controlled cooperative and negotiated with Serious Energy and financial institution Mesirow Financial to acquire the factory’s equipment at a reasonable valuation. The workers successfully raised $520,000 and proposed $1.2 million for purchasing the facility.
External links
- Window manufacturers
- Cooperatives based in Illinois
- Worker cooperatives of the United States
- Building materials companies of the United States
- Manufacturing companies based in Chicago
- American companies established in 2012
- Manufacturing companies established in 2012
- Organizations established in 2012
- 2012 establishments in Illinois