725 workers receive layoff notices

The union continues to try to place workers in a jobs bank.
By DON SHILLING
VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR
LORDSTOWN -- About 725 General Motors workers stand to be laid off as the midnight shift is eliminated from the Lordstown complex.
Dan Flores, a company spokesman, called that number a snapshot of where staffing needs stood at the end of last week. The number of layoffs is expected to be reduced as more workers accept buyouts being offered, he said.
GM issued mass layoff notices Monday that are required under federal law.
The date of the shift elimination has been set at July 17, the first day back from a two-week summer shutdown. When GM announced the reduction last month, it said the cutback would take effect in June or July.
Flores said the summer shutdown provides a natural break during which to institute the change. The company also didn't want to rush the change, he said.
This was the first time GM has estimated the number of workers to be affected by the reduction.
Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112 at the assembly plant, said the final number will be lower than 725, however.
He said 360 of his members have taken a buyout offer from GM, but hundreds more still are scheduled for meetings on the program.
More needed on 2 shifts
Also, the 725 doesn't include the additional workers that will be needed on the first two shifts because of an increase in line speed, he said. GM said it will produce more cars on the first two shifts after cutting the third.
Jim Kaster, president of UAW Local 1714 at the fabricating plant, couldn't be reached. Many of that local's members also are taking the buyouts, which range from $35,000 to $140,000.
The assembly plant has about 1,100 workers on the midnight shift, while the fabricating plant has about 500. Union officials expect GM to keep some workers on the midnight shift for maintenance and other duties.
GM is calling the staff reductions layoffs, but the union is trying to change that designation to have the workers placed into a jobs bank. Graham said meetings are continuing.
The jobs bank involves workers reporting to the plant and receiving 40 hours pay each week even though they don't have production work.
When workers are laid off, they receive 85 percent of their normal pay through state and supplemental benefits. The union contract calls for workers who are laid off for 48 weeks to be placed into a jobs bank.
The plant has 5,300 hourly workers. GM said the shift reduction is needed because sales of the Chevrolet Cobalt haven't been high enough to match the production volume of the plant.
shilling@vindy.com