From the shores of Lake Michigan to the banks of the Wabash and on down to the mighty Ohio, Indiana is home to over 68,000 active UAW members and close to 45,000 retired members. The Hoosier State provides a range of UAW jobs at car and truck companies, auto parts suppliers, casting and stamping operations, other manufacturing that includes such goods as lawn mowers, pontoon boats, musical instruments, and even in law enforcement. Here are portraits of five UAW members who work and live in Indiana--the Crossroads of America.

Photos by William Jordan

Corporal Stacey Morgan, above left, is one of 56 correctional officers at the Delaware County Jail in Muncie. Morgan has worked at the jail for 13 years and is vice president of amalgamated UAW Local 321. "An overgrown Cushman on steroids." That’s how UAW Local 1633 member Randy O’Risky, above right, describes the commercial turf maintenance equipment he welds together at the Hahn/Toro plant. O’Risky has worked at the Evansville plant for four years and serves as the local’s chief steward.

The bright and shining bass clarinet mouthpieces surrounding George Byers Sr. are a reflection of his work as a buffer at Selmer Music Co. in Elkhart. Byers, above, has worked at Selmer 35 years and previously served as a steward and on the UAW Local 612 bargaining committee.

Susan Laudick, above, is a second-generation member of UAW Local 933 who works as a MSE (Manufacturing Systems Engineer) grinder in the Compressor Wheels Dept. at Rolls-Royce/Allison. Laudick has worked four and one-half years at the Indianapolis plant, helping to build huge jet engines. Her father Jim retired Jan. 1 with 34 years service.

UAW Local 1404 member Barry Newsom, above, pauses between welding jobs at Riviera Cruiser. Newsom, a Class A welder, has six and one-half years in the Columbia City plant, where he welds motor mounts, pontoons, and other pieces that keep the company’s pontoon boats up and running.