Local union president Chuck Jones, supporters respond to Trump tweets

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH/AP) – Chuck Jones responded Friday after a series of tweets targeting the local union leader by president-elect Donald Trump.

“If Trump is sincere about keeping jobs in the country, and you guys have heard him numerous times, that’s what his goal is,” Chuck Jones said. “We’ll sit down, we’ll work out something to keep these damn jobs here.”

During the press conference Jones said he would be willing work with Trump. Jones says he’d be glad to sit down with Trump if he’s sincere about saving American jobs.

Early this week Jones accused Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence of staging “a dog and pony show” around the Carrier deal.

Trump tweeted Wednesday evening: “Chuck Jones, who is President of United Steelworkers 1999, has done a terrible job representing workers. No wonder companies flee country!”

Trump’s tweet came just moments after Jones appeared on CNN where Jones called out Trump’s bluff on the amount of jobs he claimed to save in the recent deal with Carrier.

Jones told The Washington Post in a story published Tuesday that Trump lied about how many Carrier jobs were saved by the deal, which included $7 million in state tax incentives.

On Friday, other union leaders also addressed the President-elect.

“This isn’t a union thing, this is a worker thing,” Indiana State AFL-CIO Brett Voorhies said. “This is about human beings. This is about real people.”

A number of Carrier and Rexnord employees were in the audience. After the event, Rexnord employees held what could be their final toy drive.

A tradition the group has followed for 55 years.

Around 130 toys, hats and balls were wrapped. Since the plant is closing, another group will take over next year.

“It’s not tough for me because to me, it’s all about the kids,” Rexnord employee Bob Garrigus said. “I’ll be alright. They have bigger problems than what I’ve got.”

As for Rexnord, officials didn’t return 24-Hour News 8’s calls.

Carrier told 24-Hour News 8 it had no comment to what union leaders said Friday.