Which city in Indiana is getting the new factory?
The article refers to a new CAT plant in Muncie, Indiana in addition to the planned CAT plant in Athens, GA.
Progress Rail Announces Grand Opening of Muncie, Indiana Locomotive Assembly Operation
ALBERTVILLE, Ala., Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Almost one year to the date of announcing its decision to locate a locomotive manufacturing facility in Muncie, Indiana, Progress Rail Services Corporation (PRSC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), officially opened its Muncie operation.
The Canada union wouldn’t bargain for months, CAT locked them out on Jan 1, the union wouldn’t budge, and CAT closed the plant moving the work to Muncie, IN.
FWIW the Muncie wage rate is about half the union rate, $15/hr vs 30. Given the severity of the Baraqqi Depression, CAT is having no problem finding folks here in Indiana.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120203-709419.html