Janesville GM Workers Laid Off Due To Production Cuts
Some Workers Weigh Retirement, Buyout Offers
Updated: 8:08 am CDT April 9, 2008
JANESVILLE, Wis. -- General Motors is laying off between 160 and 200 workers at its Janesville plant as production cuts translate into fewer jobs.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe automaker announced late last year that it would trim production in Janesville from 52 full-size sport utility vehicles per hour to 44 as a result of slowing sales of the vehicles built at the facility.WISC-TV auto expert Matt Joseph said sport utility vehicles just aren't selling."I think the union needs to go to GM and say, 'How about you knock down the plant started in 1918 and you build us a nice, modern, competitive facility, because we have one of the best labor forces statistically," Joseph said.Company spokeswoman Mary Fanning said that those workers laid off this week have the lowest seniority in the plant.She said that it isn't yet known if and when they'll be called back to build Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes and GMC Yukon XLs and Yukons.GM employees in Janesville and at other plants around the country are weighing early retirement and buyout offers the automaker made earlier this year. Workers have until May to decide whether to leave the plant.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe automaker announced late last year that it would trim production in Janesville from 52 full-size sport utility vehicles per hour to 44 as a result of slowing sales of the vehicles built at the facility.WISC-TV auto expert Matt Joseph said sport utility vehicles just aren't selling."I think the union needs to go to GM and say, 'How about you knock down the plant started in 1918 and you build us a nice, modern, competitive facility, because we have one of the best labor forces statistically," Joseph said.Company spokeswoman Mary Fanning said that those workers laid off this week have the lowest seniority in the plant.She said that it isn't yet known if and when they'll be called back to build Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes and GMC Yukon XLs and Yukons.GM employees in Janesville and at other plants around the country are weighing early retirement and buyout offers the automaker made earlier this year. Workers have until May to decide whether to leave the plant.
Previous Stories:
- March 19, 2008: GM To Temporarily Layoff Some Janesville Workers
- March 13, 2008: Janesville GM Plant To Temporarily Lay Off Some Workers
- March 6, 2008: GM: Janesville Plant To Shorten Shifts Next Week
- February 13, 2008: GM Offers Employees Buyout
- December 20, 2007: GM To Cut Production At Janesville Plant
- October 4, 2007: GM Workers In Janesville Vote To Ratify New Contract
- September 27, 2007: Autoworkers In Janesville Return To Work At GM Plant
- September 25, 2007: More Than 1,000 Workers Laid Off Due To GM Strike
- September 25, 2007: Negotiations Resume As GM Strike Continues
- September 25, 2007: Janesville GM Workers Begin Strike
- September 25, 2007: Hundreds Of Statewide Suppliers Affected By GM Strike
- September 24, 2007: Janesville Tense As UAW, GM Talk Contracts
- September 18, 2007: Contract Negotiations Continue Between GM, Union
Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
