Shutdown at GM Lordstown extended 3 weeks to Aug. 3

The leader of a UAW union at the plant is not discouraged by the additional down time.

STAFF REPORT

LORDSTOWN — The extended shutdown of the General Motors’ complex here has been made even longer.

GM has added three weeks to this summer’s extra-long shutdown in order to reduce the supply of Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5s at car dealers.

GM said in April it would close the complex for six weeks instead of the normal two weeks this summer. The shutdown started June 1, and workers were to return July 13.

Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112, said Monday that workers now are to return Aug. 3.

The first additional week will be considered an extension of the six-week layoff, he said. The other two additional weeks will be considered scheduled vacation for all workers, he said.

The recently revised labor contract allowed for GM to schedule vacation for workers for the regular two-week shutdown that occurs over the July 4 holiday. Because the Lordstown complex will be shut down anyway, GM pushed the scheduled vacations back to the end of the month, Graham said.

In the past, workers only had to use one week of vacation during the summer shutdown.

Graham said he is not discouraged by the additional three weeks of downtown. “We’re still going to be fine,” he said.

Once the supply of Cobalts is reduced, production volumes will bounce back, he said. GM has a 130-day supply of Cobalts, Graham said. Automakers normally want a 60-day supply.