They've taken their sleeping bags and pillows back home and hauled away their protest placards after ending a nearly week-long sit-in at a Chicago factory that came to symbolize the plight of laid-off labor.
But a day after dozens of protesting workers walked out of the Republic Windows & Doors plant with their demands met, they said they hope their triumph will inspire others nationwide to take similar stands against employers if need be.
"Sometimes people are scared to say something to big companies," said Ricardo Caceres, who spent his first night in his own bed after sleeping on a flatbed truck in the plant during the six day sit-in.
"But we stood up - opened everyone's eyes."
That should include the eyes of factory executives, some business leaders said Thursday.
"I'd be the first to say to companies that what you saw with workers at Republic will be repeated over and over across the country," said Jerry Roper, president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
"We haven't seen this since the '30s."
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