Hogsett to Union: ‘We Will Be There For You’

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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) joined members of United Steelworkers Local 1999 for their first regular meeting since the announcement that Carrier Corp. would move Indianapolis operations to Mexico, potentially impacting 1,400 jobs. Hogsett told members that he is working to bring together resources to help displaced workers find new jobs.
Earlier this month, Connecticut-based United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) announced plans to move manufacturing operations from Indianapolis and Huntington to Mexico, which could lead to the loss of 2,100 jobs. In a statement, Governor Mike Pence said he was "profoundly disappointed" in the decision, and said that the state would review economic development incentives the company may have received.
While a bipartisan group of political leaders including Pence, Hogsett, Donnelly and Dan Coats (R-IN) are urging the company to meet with them "in good faith," USW Local 1999 President Chuck Jones has said "we can’t get there" with Carrier because of labor costs. Hourly wages for the company’s workers in Indiana average around $20, while those in Mexico earn between $3 and $6 per hour.