Horrifying story in the Register today. Why did it take the state so long to act? This is shameful.

Our libertarian Republican friends will say state regulation is unnecessary. Those libertarians should see this.

Company accused of exploiting disabled; state closes home

By CLARK KAUFFMAN • ckauffman@dmreg.com • © 2009, Des Moines Register and Tribune Company • February 8, 2009

Atalissa, Ia. — Federal police, state health inspectors and county prosecutors descended on this eastern Iowa town over the weekend, launching a major investigation into the care and treatment of a group of mentally retarded men and ordering an emergency evacuation of the men's living quarters.

The investigation focuses on Henry's Turkey Service, a Texas-based company that for 34 years has employed dozens of mentally retarded men who work at the West Liberty Foods meat-processing plant in Muscatine County.

rest at
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090208/NEWS/902080344

crossposted at Jimmy Higgin's Class War Iowa
http://jimmyhiggins.wordpress.com/

Shameless plug for my Iowa labor blog-

Postville and The Shame of Iowa
By jimmyhiggins

The Des Moines Register reported yesterday on Lt. Gov. Patty Judge’s visit to Postville, where the shutdown of the Agriprocessors plant has thrown the community into turmoil.

rest at

http://jimmyhiggins.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/postville-and-the-shame-of-iowa/

crossposted at Class War Iowa,
http://jimmyhiggins.wordpress.com/

Breaking news – Hat tip to Lee Sustar at SocialistWorker.org.

WORKERS OCCUPYING the Republic Windows & Doors factory slated for closure are vowing to remain in the Chicago plant until they win the $1.5 million in severance and vacation pay owed them by management.

In a tactic rarely used in the U.S. since the labor struggles of the 1930s, the workers, members of United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) Local 1110, refused to leave the plant on December 5, its last scheduled day of operation.

“We decided to do it because this is money that belongs to us,” said Maria Roman, who's worked at the plant for eight years. “These are our rights.”

rest of story at

http://socialistworker.org/2008/12/06/republic-window-occupation

Jobs With Justice has launched an email campaign for these workers, aimed at Bank of America, which is behind management's actions.

Hold Bank of America Accountable
Only weeks after taking $25 Billion in bailout money, Bank of America is turning its back on hundreds of workers making energy efficient doors and windows in Chicago by refusing to continue credit to Republic Windows and Doors.  To make matters even worse than putting 300 people out of work, Bank of America has instructed Republic to refuse to pay workers compensation they are legally entitled to, either earned vacation pay or the severance pay legally required under the WARN Act, in lieu of proper notice of plant closing.

Go to 
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/bankofamerica/

Starting up my own blog devoted to Iowa unionism and worldwide class struggle. Been a rank and file activist in the workers' movement for a few decades, and recently moved to des moines. Check out Class War Iowa-

http://jimmyhiggins.wordpress.com/