GM adds to Saturday shifts for rest of year

STAFF REPORT

LORDSTOWN — General Motors has scheduled overtime for the rest of the year at its Lordstown complex.

The additional Saturday shifts are needed to meet demand for the Chevrolet Cobalt, which is made at the complex, said Chris Lee, a GM spokesman.

The nation is shifting to more fuel-efficient vehicles, and the Cobalt is benefiting from that trend, he said.

The complex has been working on some Saturdays in recent months, but GM now is scheduling Saturday work on nearly every weekend through Dec. 20. The exceptions are Nov. 15 for Veterans Day and Nov. 29 for Thanksgiving.

Lee said two shifts will work each Saturday on a rotating basis. A labor contract sets limits on how many Saturdays a particular shift can be scheduled in a row.

The plant produces about 500 cars on a shift.

Cobalt sales through September were up about 6 percent from the same time last year.

GM already has added to production by putting on a midnight shift at the Lordstown complex in July. The company added 1,400 workers to staff the shift and replace the 550 workers who left the company with a buyout.