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ST. LOUIS — A cast of politicians and luminaries including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill on Monday urged beleaguered local steel and autoworkers to "keep the faith."

Steelworker Larry Heath heard the message from the Kiener Plaza stage.

But he admitted keeping the faith is becoming increasingly difficult, with relentless layoffs and plant closures buffeting the region’s labor force.

"We could be competitive again, if they’d just level the playing field," said Heath, who has worked a total of six weeks at the Granite City steel mill so far this year.

The Keep It Made in America rally, the kickoff of a bus tour from St. Louis to Texas, came on the heels of news that the Chrysler LLC plans to permanently shutter its manufacturing plants in Fenton.

McCaskill, D-Mo., said addressing the Fenton pickup plant’s closure is tough right now "because none of us really knows what’s happening in bankruptcy" court or who is making operational decisions — the bankruptcy judge or Fiat SpA no fax instant cash advance.

"We’re monitoring it every day," McCaskill said on the sidelines of the rally.

Passionate in defense of American-made products, the crowd of about 300 were unabashed in citing the culprits the say are stealing their jobs.

The Fenton workers directed their ire at Chrysler’s decision to keep another pickup factory open in Mexico.

"We’re the backbone of this country, and they’re shutting us out and keeping the Mexican plant open," said Jim Lutes of Cadet, Mo., employed 12 years at the Ram plant.

Leo Yeakey of Wentzville, with 42 years at General Motors, fears GM’s Wentzville van plant will be next for closure.

"First it was Ford (in Hazelwood) that closed, now it’s Chrysler," he said. "I pray that GM isn’t next. But it’s like a cancer, it just keeps growing."

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