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Employees who recently lost their jobs in Chicago are currently protesting layoffs. According to the Associated Press, approximately 250 union workers who used to work for the Republic Windows and Doors plant have refused to leave the building.

Although these employees are upset about losing their jobs in Chicago, the real problem is the fact that the company only gave them three days’ notice about the fact that the factory would be closing. Even if the economy was in a better condition, this would not be long enough for anyone to be able to find a new place of employment.

The workers effected are taking shifts occupying the plant. They have said that they will not leave the building until their previous employer assures them that they will all get severance and vacation pay. Union leaders stationed outside the facility have criticized the government’s decision to bail out many on Wall Street while workers are being left behind.

According to the AP, Leah Fried, who is with the United Electrical Workers, has said that the manufacturer neglected to give the workers 60 days worth of notice about the plant’s closing, which is required by law. Fried went on to say that during the last two days workers have been cleaning the building.

Fried has said that the reason the company has not paid the 300 employees who were effected by the plant closing is because its creditor, Bank of America, will not allow them to. The bank recently received $25 billion from the financial industry bailout, yet they have said they are not responsible for Republic’s obligations to their workers.

On Sunday one union member told Fox News that they are willing to go to jail if it necessary to get the company to take care of those who have lost their jobs. So far, protest have remained peaceful.

Mimeo.com, an innovator of online, on-demand printing for business documents and marketing materials, has opened a 75,000 square foot facility in Newark, New Jersey, to handle its increasing customer base. The number of employees is expected to triple over the next 18 months, bringing much needed jobs to the state.

“The opening of our new, state-of-the-art facility in Newark, NJ is an important step toward strengthening Mimeo.com’s production, distribution and overall time to market on the east coast,” stated Adam Slutsky. “It also allows the company to confidently offer a multiple location production model that many of our clients demand. Newark affords us many advantages including its proximity to a major transportation hub, distance from our Manhattan based headquarters, a skilled labor pool and the support received from the Mayor’s office and the State of New Jersey.”

The facility has the capability to produce more than a million printed pages daily, as well as thousands of bound documents and gives the company two of the most advanced digital printing hubs in the world.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority supported Mimeo.com’s expansion through the State’s Business Employment Incentive Program. The agency provides annual cash grants to projects relocating or hiring new jobs in the State. Mimeo.com also received technical assistance from Brick City Development Corporation, the City’s economic development corporation, for site plan approval and the processing of permits within the City of Newark.

Noting the company’s record sales and growth, Slutsky continued, “At a time when many US-based businesses are cutting back their production and distribution facilities, and cutting head count, Mimeo.com is going in the opposite direction: we recently had our most successful month in Mimeo.com history. Mimeo.com had record sales in the month of September increasing revenue by 18% in the month of September vs. the same period last year.”

Mimeo.com recently hired 98 new application development and sales professionals to its 550-person employee roster, and expects to hire at least 85 more by year’s end. Just a little over a year ago, Mimeo.com announced the completion of a $25 million round of financing lead by Goldman Sachs Principal Strategies Group contributing to the new Newark facility, the opening of a sales office in San Mateo, California, and technology upgrades. Mimeo’s original world class facility is located in Memphis, TN.

Viacom Inc., consisting of BET Networks, MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures, has announced restructuring plans designed to better align its organization and overall cost structure with evolving economic conditions. These changes include broad-based staffing reductions, which will be implemented across all divisions of the Company. This process will result in approximately 7 percent, or 850 jobs being cut across the board. The Company is also suspending senior level management salary increases for 2009. In addition, reflecting a comprehensive review of its operations, the Company will write down certain programming and other assets.

The restructuring and write-down together will result in a pre-tax charge of $400 million to $450 million, or $0.42 to $0.48 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2008. These staffing and compensation actions and write-downs are expected to result in pre-tax savings of $200 million to $250 million in 2009.

Viacom President and CEO Philippe Dauman said, “We are moving rapidly to adapt to the challenges presented by the current economic environment. The changes we are making in our organization and processes will better position Viacom to navigate the economic slowdown and generate sizable efficiencies that will help us to drive our business as the marketplace stabilizes and conditions improve.

“Viacom’s outstanding brands, diverse revenue streams and global footprint all provide a significant and enduring foundation for future growth. The steps we have taken over the last two years, including those we are announcing today, have put us on very sound financial footing with a strong balance sheet and substantial cash flow. This affords us the flexibility to successfully deal with challenges while also capitalizing on the opportunities that inevitably arise in uncertain times. We are committed to continuing this prudent course and aggressively managing our businesses for long-term growth.”