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Employees react to possible Rexnord move to Mexico

Move would cause 350 people to lose jobs
Posted at 6:34 PM, Oct 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-16 18:34:10-04

INDIANAPOLIS – Rexnord workers and The United Steelworkers Union Local 1999 gathered Saturday morning to discuss the next steps to help save more than 350 jobs after the company sent a statement saying they “tentatively decided” to move to Mexico in 2017.

Rexnord officials said no final decision has been made whether or not it will move from Indianapolis to Monterrey, Mexico but some employees are expecting the worst.

Several workers expressed their upset at the meeting, including the mother of a 16-year-old, Kristina Parrott, who said the news made her feel “numb.” Parrott has been an employee with the company for a year and a half.

"I mean, I am single mother of a 16-year-old little girl who will one day start college. Well how am I going to do that if you're taking my job," she asked.

RELATED | More Indianapolis jobs moving to Monterrey, Mexico: Rexnord tells 350 employees jobs are moving

After the news was announced Friday, employees were sent home.

John Feltner, employee for three years was also upset by the announcement.

"Wife was just real surprised,” he said. “(She asked), ‘what are you doing home’ because I work second shift. I just laid it out and she couldn't believe it, kids couldn't believe it."

Mayor Joe Hogsett said he would do his best to keep the west side company in the city.

“We're going to reach out to them first thing in the morning and see whether if there is any options or flexibility about keeping those jobs here,” said Hogsett.

This incident comes 8 months after Carrier decided to move their plant to Monterrey in February. The move caused 1,400 people to lose their jobs.

It also became the focus of multiple Call 6 Investigations, prompting special reports. You can find all of those stories here.

Despite the news, some employees are remaining hopeful.

"We're not only going to survive, we're going to strive through this,” said Shane Appleman, employee for three years.