A bipartisan group of Indiana elected officials is urging United Technologies, the parent company of Carrier and UTEC, to work to find a solution to continue operations in Indiana. U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, Governor Mike Pence, U.S. Senator Dan Coats, Congressman Andre Carson, Congressman Marlin Stutzman, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, and Huntington Mayor Brooks Fetters sent a letter today requesting a meeting with United Technologies. The letter follows last week’s announcement that Carrier and UTEC will move operations from facilities in Indianapolis and Huntington to Mexico, leading to the elimination of more than 2,000 Hoosier jobs.

 In the letter, the Indiana elected officials wrote, “While we struggle to understand the basis of your business decision, we continue to believe that when we work together we can solve most problems.

“We understand that you are meeting with union officials to discuss the decision to move your operations to Mexico.  We ask that Carrier, UTEC, and United Technologies also meet with our offices to discuss this issue, and hope that you come to the table in good faith and work to find a solution to continue this partnership that has brought success to your company and strengthened our communities.

“On behalf of the workers at Carrier and UTEC and the Hoosier communities in which they live, we stand ready to support these discussions.”

Full text of the letter is below. A signed PDF copy of the letter can be found attached.

February 17, 2016

Gregory J. Hayes, President and Chief Executive Officer

Robert McDonough, President, UTC Climate, Controls & Security

United Technologies

10 Farm Springs Rd.

Farmington, CT 06032

Dear Mr. Hayes and Mr. McDonough,

We write to you in support of the 1,400 workers at the Indianapolis Carrier facility and the 700 workers at the Huntington UTEC facility who received the devastating news last week that their jobs will be moved to Mexico. Carrier and UTEC have served as pillars of our communities for decades, and many of the individuals set to lose their livelihoods have given their lives to your company.

While we struggle to understand the basis of your business decision, we continue to believe that when we work together we can solve most problems.  It is this pragmatic approach combined with your loyal and talented workforce and their dedication to your brands that has helped Carrier and UTEC to many years of success.

Just as your workforce has done right by Carrier and UTEC, we are now asking you to do right by them.  We understand that you are meeting with union officials to discuss the decision to move your operations to Mexico.  We ask that Carrier, UTEC, and United Technologies also meet with our offices to discuss this issue, and hope that you come to the table in good faith and work to find a solution to continue this partnership that has brought success to your company and strengthened our communities.

On behalf of the workers at Carrier and UTEC and the Hoosier communities in which they live, we stand ready to support these discussions.

Sincerely,

Senator Joe Donnelly

Governor Mike Pence

Senator Dan Coats

Congressman Andre Carson

Congressman Marlin Stutzman

Mayor Joseph Hogsett

Mayor Brooks Fetters

Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence and First Lady Karen Pence will attend the 2016 Indiana Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Governor Pence will also offer remarks. Details below.

Thursday, February 18

7:15 a.m. EST – Governor, First Lady to attend 2016 Indiana Leadership Prayer Breakfast; Governor Pence to offer remarks

*Media are welcome to attend.

Indiana Roof Ballroom – 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN

Morning Justice Applicants Stress Practice Experience

Dave Stafford for www.theindanalawyer.com

The first of 29 Indiana Supreme Court applicants interviewed Wednesday made cases for age and geographic diversity, the importance of practice experience on the court and the need to increase court funding statewide.

The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission began three days of interviews in the first round of vetting for lawyers and judges who’ve applied to replace retiring Justice Brent Dickson. Here are highlights from those interviewed Wednesday morning.

Thomas P. Yoder, partner, Barrett McNagny LLP, Fort Wayne
Fielding a question about his age, which Yoder described as a youthful 64, the former Indiana State Bar Association president said the court currently is comprised of younger justices who could exit in a couple of decades, giving a future governor an opportunity to pack the court.

“I think I’m perfect,” Yoder quipped when asked about his age. “In 10 years I will be on the cusp of mandatory retirement,” which he said wouldn’t necessarily be a negative given the court’s current more youthful composition. Also, he said Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana hadn’t had a justice on the court since he began practicing.

“I want to have a public voice,” Yoder said, something he’s not had since departing as ISBA president some 15 years ago. He said the court needs an experienced practitioner and touted his experience in business law.

Geoffrey G. Slaughter, partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Indianapolis
Slaughter told the commission his work as president of the Indiana Bar Foundation has illuminated the need to extend civil representation and legal assistance to unrepresented litigants and those in need. “We’re making important strides in that area,” he said.

The most important traits for a justice are legal ability, collegiality and civility in dealing with lawyers who come before the court, he said. He said his experience of the past 15 years in private practice and six years prior to that with the attorney general’s office would be a good fit for the court.

“I bring the practitioner’s perspective,” he said. “I like to think I would bring to the court experience in some substantive areas of law in which I’ve had some relevant experience, mostly in the business realm,” he said. Slaughter also said he would be eager to assist with efforts to increase pro bono work and court administration.

Thomas E. Wheeler II, partner, Frost Brown Todd LLC, Indianapolis
Wheeler stressed his 30 years as a trial lawyer, his connections with the Legislature and current and former governors, and efforts to increase state funding for the judiciary as reasons he should be appointed to the Supreme Court. The former chairman of the Indiana Election Commission, whose decision that stripped the office from former Secretary of State Charlie White was affirmed by the high court, noted the political nature of the case.

He said the bipartisan committee handled the case collegially. “We were able to work together, and that’s what needed to happen,” Wheeler said. “Generally, I’m a team player; I like to block out and rebound and not score.” He said that would be his approach on the court, and he said late Justice Antonin Scalia’s sometimes acerbic manner of argument and writing caused him concern.

Wheeler said he would seek general fund increases to ensure equal access to courts statewide. “Right now we have a system where, frankly, access to justice depends on which side of county line you’re standing on, and I don’t think that’s acceptable,” he said.