TRUMBULL COUNTY Delphi Packard to reduce number of contract workers

WARREN -- Delphi Packard Electric Systems intends to cut the number of contract workers it uses locally.
Doug Hoy, a company spokesman, said an undetermined number of the 128 contract workers at Packard's local plants will be cut, starting in November.
The reductions are part of Packard's continuing attempt to adjust the local work force, he said. The cutbacks will reduce operating costs and provide work for Packard's own hourly and salaried workers, he said. Some of the vacant positions will be filled with Packard workers.
Most of the contract workers are employed by The Bartech Group, which is based in Michigan, and work at Packard's test center in Champion.
Packard has been trimming its local hourly and salaried work force in recent years. It has about 3,900 workers who are members of the International Union of Electrical Workers and about 1,400 salaried workers. About 300 hourly workers are laid off each week, depending on business volumes.
Warren-based Packard makes electrical wiring systems for vehicles and is part of Michigan-based Delphi Corp.