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Watch 1,400 US workers learn their jobs are moving to Mexico
(Screenshot via YouTube)
A crowd of Carrier manufacturing workers erupted into anger Wednesday as they learned their plant was being relocated to Monterrey, Mexico.
Carrier, an Indianapolis-based heating, ventilation and air conditioning company owned by United Technologies, announced in a statement on Wednesday that the plant would undergo a three-year transition to Mexico starting in 2017.
A man identified as company president Chris Nelson was recorded on camera delivering the news to a large crowd of employees, who reacted with jeers and obscenities.
One person can be seen walking out of the meeting.
At one point, Nelson pleads with the crowd to quiet down so he can continue with the statement, saying “I’ve got information that’s important to share as part of the transition.”
Carrier employs roughly 1,400 people. There will be no immediate impact on jobs, according to local ABC affiliate RTV6.
“I want to be clear — this is strictly a business decision,” Nelson continued, drawing another round of boos.
“This was an extremely difficult decision. It was made most difficult because I understand that it will have an impact on all of you, your families, and the community.”
Carrier is one of two United Technologies plants to announce a move to Mexico — the corporation announced on the same day it would also be moving a plant in Huntington, Indiana. The closing will eliminate about 700 jobs from the city in northeastern Indiana, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Shortly after the news broke, Indianapolis mayor Joe Hogsett said he would issue an executive order to help the workers affected by the move.
BREAKING: @IndyMayorJoe to issue executive order to help Indy Carrier workers: 1,400 jobs moving to Mexico @rtv6 pic.twitter.com/KmkH4NYTPB
— #IndyThisWeek (@IndyThisWeek) February 10, 2016
And yesterday, the Star reported that Indiana Governor Mike Pence authorized the state to offer job seeking, training and education services to the workers.
State may seek to recover job grants to Carrier after company announces plan to move from Indy to Mexico @rtv6 pic.twitter.com/tP4WXF10oE
— #IndyThisWeek (@IndyThisWeek) February 11, 2016
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Ford will announce plans early this year to build a new plant in Mexico, Reuters reported Thursday. The $1.5 billion plant will produce 350,000 cars annually and could eventually produce the new Focus after production of that car leaves Ford’s Wayne, Michigan plant in 2018.
Ford didn’t comment on the report.
Reuters said Mexican officials with knowledge of the facility confirmed that the plant would be built in the state of San Luis Potosi.
BMW announced in 2014 that it would build a new plant in the Mexican state by 2019, and engine-maker Cummins already has a factory there.
Ford has several facilities in Mexico where it makes cars and trucks including its Fiesta and heavy-duty trucks.