Obama to visit GM, talk economy

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Jim Graham, President of UAW Local 1112

The president’s address is open to the media but closed to the public.

By Don Shilling

LORDSTOWN — The General Motors complex here will be in the spotlight today as President Barack Obama talks to workers about the economy.

“It’s a sign of the faith that this administration has in this plant,” Lordstown Mayor Mike Chaffee said.

Obama is to arrive this morning at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport on Air Force One and then travel to the car plant for an address to workers.

Both the arrival and speech at the plant are open to the media but closed to the public.

The White House has indicated that Obama will speak on the economy. He added the Lordstown stop to a previously scheduled address that he will make later today at an AFL-CIO convention in Pittsburgh.

Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112 in Lordstown, noted that the president’s stop at the plant follows visits last year by presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and John McCain.

“We are that important, and I’m very proud of that,” Graham said.

Obama is expected to note that Lordstown is calling back a second shift of workers Oct. 5 to boost production of the Chevrolet Cobalt and prepare for the launch of GM’s next small car, the Chevrolet Cruze, in April.

GM officials hope that the Cruze, which is expected to get around 40 mpg, will be one of the vehicles that will help it win back market share it has lost to foreign automakers.

“Lordstown is going to play an integral part in the American — and I emphasize American — auto industry coming back. We are up for the challenge,” Graham said.

Graham, who met privately with Obama during two campaign stops before he was elected, said he hoped to speak with the president but wasn’t sure he’d have an opportunity. He said he would like to talk briefly about the loss of benefits by Delphi Corp. retirees and the economy of the area in general.

Dave Green, president of UAW Local 1714 at Lordstown, said workers are eager to hear what the president has to say about the future of the economy and the role that automakers will play.

“We build a great product, and we’re excited that he is able to come out and recognize that,” Green added.

shilling@vindy.com