Rally to support
automakers

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - On the heels of an emergency UAW meeting in Detroit, members of Local 2209 which represents workers at the Fort Wayne GM plant and others connected to the auto industry held a rally to support GM, Ford and Chrysler's loan requests.

About 200 people held signs and marched outside the Federal Building on Harrison Street which houses the offices of Congressman Mark Souder and Senator Evan Bayh. They want local government to understand how important the auto industry is to this area.

Auto workers, union leadership, dealers, and suppliers took part in the rally. Members of the auto industry believe the loss of one or all of the Big Three could cause a massive ripple effect throughout all business.

"Without quick action from our legislators as you see by the signs being carried by some of the people here, we could greatly negatively impact not only our local economy, but our national economy," said Mike Gilinski, the plant manager at the GM pickup facility in Allen County.

Auto dealer Tom Kelley also took part in the rally.

"We have a lot of people who depend on us for their livelihoods and have for many years and we're here to show them we're going to get something done hopefully," said Tom Kelley.

It's estimated that one out of every ten U.S. jobs is related to the auto industry. If the auto industry collapses, an estimated three million jobs could be lost the first year and another 2.5 million by the third year. If the Fort Wayne GM plant were to close, nearly 3,000 people would be out of a job.

Congressman Souder plans to meet with local UAW and GM officials Thursday evening.