Packard forced to hire new employees

Packard forced to hire new employees

WARREN — Delphi Packard Electric is producing something a bit different from its usual array of connectors and cable — turnover.

Between 10 and 12 production workers have resigned in each of the past three months, forcing Packard to hire and train new workers, said Mike O’Donnell, shop chairman for Local 717 of the International Union of Electrical Workers.

Workers seldom used to leave Packard because of its good pay and benefits, he said.

A new labor contract cut hourly pay rates for longtime workers from $27 to $16.50, but it created even lower rates for new workers. New hires either receive $10.50 an hour with no benefits or $11 with benefits.

Some of these people find the work too demanding for the pay, so they take a job somewhere else, O’Donnell said.

David Olsen, communications manager for Packard, said the turnover is expected under the new contract terms, and the company is prepared to train workers as necessary.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.