Striking workers wave to passing motorists that honked their horns outside the Caterpillar plant Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Channahon resident Rollin Mueller, a gear pumps operator, yells at passing motorists crossing the picket line as striking workers gather outside the Caterpillar plant Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Striking workers gather outside the Caterpillar plant Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Striking workers gather on the picket line outside the Caterpillar plant Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Gov. Pat Quinn (right) shakes hands with striking machinist Larry Elliott, of South Wilmington, (left) after Quinn made an appearance to the picket line to make a donation to the strikers' fund and to show support for the workers at the Caterpillar plant Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Strike line captain Mike Kinkin, of Ottawa, is seen with striking workers outside the Caterpillar plant Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Striking workers gather on the picket line outside the Caterpillar plant Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Striking Caterpillar workers walk the picket line outside the Caterpillar plant in Joliet, Illinois, Wednesday, June 27, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media
Striking Caterpillar workers Mark Stanislaus, of Joliet, (left) and Bob Casarez, of Shorewood, stand at the picket line outside the Caterpillar plant in Joliet, Illinois, Wednesday, June 27, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media
JOLIET — News of a tentative contract agreement with Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc. was met with derisive laughter Wednesday by striking machinists on the Joliet plant’s picket line. When they were asked to comment on the proposed six-year pact, a couple of the machinists pointed to …
