Make wishtv.com your home page

Indiana workers line Carrier plant asking Trump to save their jobs

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Dozens of Indiana workers lined up outside the Carrier plant Thursday to urge president-elect Donald Trump to save their jobs. Trump traveled to the plant to discuss his deal with Carrier to prevent hundreds of local jobs from moving to Mexico.

The workers lined the street outside the plant and hoisted signs reading “keep it made in America” and “what about our jobs in Huntington?”

Carrier’s parent company, United Technologies, operates a plant in Huntington, Ind.

Bob Breedlove, who’s worked at the Huntington plant for 11 years, said workers there still expect to lose their jobs.

“We’re just as important as the people up here. We have families just like they do. We all wanna continue working. I’m glad he’s saving these jobs. I commend that. I just wish I was included,” Breedlove said.

The Huntington workers were joined Thursday by workers from the Indianapolis Rexnord plant.

Rexnord announced plans last month to move hundreds of local jobs to Mexico.

Two Rexnord workers confirmed a team from Mexico toured the facility this week. Union leaders said they met Rexnord officials Wednesday to discuss separation benefits.

Gary Canter, who’s worked at Rexnord for 8 years, offered some advice for Trump and Pence.

“I need them to get the people that were elected to do their jobs. Right now, we can stop this. They could pass legislation to make free trade fair,” Canter said.

Brett Voorhies, President of the Indiana State AFL-CIO, stood with the workers outside the plant.

“I honestly don’t see [Trump] going around the country with his stick to thousands of not millions of CEOs to try to keep facilities open,” Voorhies said.

Workers from both United Technologies and Rexnord said they’re hoping to learn the exact details of Trump’s deal with Carrier.