Workers vote to end sit-in at factory

? Jubilant workers, cheering and chanting “Yes We Can,” celebrated outside a Chicago factory after approving a $1.75 million agreement to end their six-day sit-in, a dispute that became a symbol of the plight of labor nationwide.

Republic Windows & Doors, union leaders and Bank of America reached the deal Wednesday night. Workers carrying sleeping bags left the North Side factory within hours.

About 200 of 240 laid-off workers began their sit-in last week after Republic gave them just three days’ notice the plant was closing. They vowed to stay until they received assurances they would get severance and accrued vacation pay.

Each former Republic employee will get eight weeks’ salary, all accrued vacation pay and two months’ paid health care, said U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who helped broker the deal. He said it works out to about $7,000 apiece.