UAW officers try to curb Lordstown cutback rumors

By Don Shilling

Cobalt sales seem to be holding up, giving hope to the car plant.

LORDSTOWN — Union leaders at the Lordstown car plant are trying to stop rumors that big job cuts are coming.

Talk that GM is eliminating the plant’s midnight shift or making other cuts has grown so strong that leaders issued a flier to members Friday.

“There are many rumors running rampant throughout the plant, and that’s exactly what they are — rumors,” officers of United Auto Workers Local 1112 said.

Ben Strickland, shop chairman of the local, said in an interview that he speaks with plant management every day and has been assured that no staffing cuts have been approved.

Chris Lee, a GM spokesman, said the company aligns production with demand and hasn’t seen the need to trim the number of Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5s made in Lordstown.

“Any speculation right now is just that,” he said.

Strickland added, however, that plant managers said they can’t guarantee staffing levels if the economy drags down car sales.

“If the economy doesn’t pick up, there’s going to be cutbacks not only here but everywhere,” Strickland said.

So far, however, Cobalt sales seem to be holding up, he said. He said the Cobalt has a field supply of about 50 days, lower than the 60 days that automakers like to keep. Low inventory numbers make it more likely that GM will keep production at current levels.

To boost the supply of cars to dealers, two of the plant’s three shifts are working overtime today. GM originally planned to work overtime on two other Saturdays this month, but those were canceled.

Cancellation of Saturday overtime could be one of the factors making Lordstown workers nervous. GM also told the plant last week that it was canceling all nonscheduled overtime, and it has been denying media reports that the launch of the plant’s next product — the Chevrolet Cruze — has been delayed from 2010 to 2011.

Strickland said GM’s discussions about a merger with Chrysler Corp. also have workers on edge. Industry analysts have said that a merger could cause Chrysler to shut half its plants and cut at least 25,000 jobs.

The key factor for Lordstown, however, is car sales, Strickland said. Consumers are worried about their finances, so they are holding off on large purchases, he said.

“The economy is the whole concern,” he said.

Automakers will announce their October sales figures early next week.

The vibe surrounding Lordstown was much more positive just a few months ago.

GM added a midnight shift with 1,400 workers in August because demand for the Cobalt was expected to rise. Gas prices were soaring and consumers were looking for more fuel-efficient cars.

Other parts of the country already have felt the pain of cutbacks. GM has announced four plant closings this year, plus it has eliminated shifts at other plants, as it cuts back on production of trucks and sport-utility vehicles.

shilling@vindy.com