Allen Williams (left), machine repairman, and Mike Kara (right), machinist, cheer during a rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant Friday, May 11. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Will County Executive Larry Walsh addresses the crowd during a rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant Friday, May 11, 2012. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Phil Gruber (top left), general vice president of the Midwest territory for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, speaks to the crowd outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant Friday, May 11, 2012. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

A passenger in a passing car waves to those gathered during a rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant Friday, May 11, 2012. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Police officers and security gather at the main entrance during a rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant Friday, May 11, 2012. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Machinists Joe Stachon (far left) and Lorna Cullison (second from left) display signs during a rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant on May 11. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

A group with the Warehouse Workers for Justice stands along the road during a rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant Friday, May 11, 2012. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Steve Westhoff, a machinist for 38 years, stands during a rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant Friday, May 11, 2012. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Mary Shesgreen, with Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice, walks through the crowd during a rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant on May 11. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Bill Ronna (center), a machinist for 19 years, cheers during a rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant Friday, May 11, 2012. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Tom Buffenbarger, international president for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, stresses a point while speaking during a rally outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant Friday, May 11, 2012. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Joliet Mayor Thomas Giarrante addresses the crowd during a rally for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers outside the Joliet Caterpillar plant Friday, May 11, 2012. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media