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Carrier executive: We're in transition

Posted at 5:59 AM, Mar 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-04 15:52:19-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- Governor Mike Pence and other state leaders are meeting with Carrier executives Wednesday to try to save 1,400 Hoosier jobs.

"We're looking forward to meeting with the governor," Carrier president Bob McDonough said as he was walking into the meeting.

When asked if he would work for $3 an hour he said, "Looking forward to discussing with the governor. The transition for our workers and getting back to business." 

Carrier released a statement after the meeting, saying they will continue to focus on constructive discussions with the State of Indiana, as well as with the United Steelworkers to help provide security and certainty for the company's Indianapolis employees throughout the transition. 

The governor's office requested the meeting with Carrier's CEO two weeks ago following the announcement that the company would be moving its Indianapolis plant to Monterrey, Mexico.

In a letter signed by the governor, as well as U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly and Dan Coats, Congressmen Andre Carson and Marlin Stutzman, and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, state leaders asked the company to come to the table in good faith to find a solution to keep operations and jobs in Indiana.

MORE | Indiana leaders ask Carrier for a meeting to try to keep the plant, jobs in the state

Carrier cited wages as a deciding factor in the move. A Call 6 Investigation revealed the company could save as much as $10 million in salaries and benefits by moving to Monterrey.

CALL 6 | Carrier could save up to $10M with move

About 400 members of the United Steelworkers Union District 7 came to Indianapolis Tuesday to protest Carrier's move. The president of the union said last month he'd already met with Carrier executives, and that he believed there was no hope of saving the jobs.

MORE | President of United Steelworkers: No hope of saving 1,400 jobs

In addition to the meeting with Gov. Pence, Carrier executives were expected to meet with Senators Donnelly and Coats, and with Congressman Carson.

If negotiations fail, lawmakers are looking at ways to allow local governments to force companies that take jobs to foreign countries to repay property tax incentives.

Our Rafael Sanchez recently went to Monterrey, to try and find out why Carrier was moving their jobs there, and to take a look at what it's like there. You can catch up on the coverage from that trip and beyond below.

FULL COVERAGE | Carrier employees protest move at statehouse | Moving to Mexico: What you need to know about Monterrey, MexicoMoving to Mexico: On the ground in Monterrey, Mexico, where Carrier is movingTrump weights in on Carrier relocation to Mexico | Carrier: Company did not receive $5M in federal stimulus funds | President of United Steelworkers Union: No hope of saving 1,400 jobs | Carrier employees, local businesses reel after announcement of move to Mexico |WATCH: Employees react to news that Carrier is moving from Indy to Mexico | Pence to review Carrier's plans to move to Mexico |TRUMP: Carrier should be taxed for their goods after move to Mexico | Hogsett, Donnelly meet with Carrier workers | City, state stepping in to help Carrier employees |Indiana leaders ask Carrier for a meeting to try to keep the plant, jobs in the state