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Carrier workers react to deal that keeps 1,000 jobs in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — On Thanksgiving Day, President-elect Donald Trump posted a tweet. In less than 140 characters Trump hinted that he and Carrier were in negotiations to keep the heating and air conditioning company in Indiana.

He stated talks were trending in the right direction and he was making progress. Then on Wednesday, an announcement came down that Trump and Carrier struck a deal that would keep Carrier and 1,000 jobs in the United States.

Paul Roell has worked at Carrier for 17 years.

He thought he would have to sell his house and find a lower wage job when Carrier left.

He has been a Trump supporter and said this news means Trump is living up to his promises.

“It was just really great to see him come through with probably his biggest promise of his campaign to keep jobs in America and three weeks after he gets elected he’s already doing what he said he was going to do,” Roell said.

The plant currently employs 1,400 people. It’s believed that 400 people will be without a job.  Late Wednesday Carrier released a statement on the deal:

Carrier has had very productive conversations in recent days with President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Pence.

We have negotiated an agreement with the incoming administration that we believe benefits our workers, the state of Indiana and our company.

We are announcing today that Carrier will continue to manufacture gas furnaces in Indianapolis, in addition to retaining engineering and headquarters staff, preserving more than 1,000 jobs.

Carrier will also designate its Indianapolis manufacturing facility as a Center of Excellence for gas furnace production, with a commitment to making significant investments to continue to maintain a world-class furnace factory.

Today’s announcement is possible because the incoming Trump-Pence administration has emphasized to us its commitment to support the business community and create an improved, more competitive U.S. business climate. The incentives offered by the state were an important consideration.

This agreement in no way diminishes our belief in the benefits of free trade and that the forces of globalization will continue to require solutions for the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. and of American workers moving forward.

24-Hour News 8 is learning the deal will include Carrier continuing to manufacture gas furnaces in Indianapolis. The company will retain engineering and headquarters staff which will preserve more than 1,000 jobs.
According to the Trump campaign website, Trump and Pence will hold a closed to the public event with Carrier at 2 p.m.Thursday afternoon.
The deal also means Carrier will designate its Indianapolis manufacturing facility as a Center of Excellence for gas production with a commitment to make more investments in the furnace factory.
“I’m excited man, I’m looking forward to what Mr. Trump has to say about it,” said TJ Bray, a 14-year employee at Carrier.
Chuck Jones, president of Local 1999, has been very critical of Trump; however, he adds that today he is giving Trump credit. Jones will have a chance to meet Trump on Thursday, and when he does, he says he will be open and honest with the country’s next president.
“My plans are to tell him I’ve been hammering his ass pretty good,” said Jones. “I want to tell him ‘you stepped up, and you kept your promise, you fulfilled what you promised to do’ and I appreciate that,” said Jones.