GM LORDSTOWN Union at plant tries to save jobs

Workers want to show GM that the Lordstown plant deserves more work.
By DON SHILLING
VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR
LORDSTOWN -- The union at the fabricating plant in Lordstown is out to save perhaps hundreds of hourly jobs by reversing General Motor's decision to cut production.
GM's announcement this week that the plant will make metal parts only for the adjacent assembly plant may not be the final word, said Jim Kaster, president of United Auto Workers Local 1714.
Union officials think workers can continue making parts for other plants if they show GM that the Lordstown plant is the best place for the work.
"I still think we have a shot. We're working to show them what we can do," Kaster said.
He estimates the plant's work force would dwindle to about 1,200 if parts are made only for the new Chevrolet Cobalt and its sister, the Pontiac Pursuit, which will be sold only in Canada. Production of those models is set to begin next year at the Lordstown Assembly Plant.
Members of union
Local 1714 has 1,941 members, though GM says only 1,764 are working because of leaves for illness and workers' compensation.
The number of workers likely will continue to fall somewhat even if the work for other plants is kept, Kaster said. Workers are retiring, and GM isn't replacing them because new machinery and manufacturing techniques are allowing GM to operate more efficiently.
The fabricating plant had 2,400 union members two years ago.
Mary Irby, a GM spokeswoman, declined to comment on the union's chances of reversing GM's decision.
By supplying only the assembly plant, the fabricating plant will become more efficient and quality will improve, she said. Now, it supplies several other plants around the country.
Kaster said a key part of the union's effort is the creation of work teams this fall at the plant. These teams will improve productivity and help the plant reach its goal of becoming one of GM's best fabricating plants, he said.
The team concept includes small groups of workers rotating jobs and conferring with each other to solve production problems.
GM isn't commenting on the hourly staffing needs of either plant. The assembly plant employs about 4,000 hourly workers.
Told of consolidation
GM informed its salaried staffs at both Lordstown plants this week, however, that their departments will be consolidated next year or in early 2005. GM intends to operate the plants as one unit, called GM Lordstown Complex, so the plants will not have separate human resource and other departments.
Irby said GM expects to reduce the salaried work force but isn't sure by how many. The plants have about 500 total salaried jobs.
Meanwhile, GM is planning to lay off about 800 hourly workers at the fabricating plant from Jan. 5 to Feb. 2, although the exact numbers haven't been determined Kaster said. Fewer workers are needed because the assembly plant is halting production for three weeks so workers can be trained on new production methods.
Kaster said workers with more seniority will have the opportunity to be laid off first. The union labor contract provides laid-off workers with 95 percent of their base pay in unemployment compensation and supplemental pay.
shilling@vindy.com