Originally published April 13, 2018 at 3:11 p.m., updated April 13, 2018 at 3:31 p.m.
LORDSTOWN
This afternoon General Motors Lordstown Assembly Complex employees were informed that the second shift at the plant will be eliminated.
There will be 1,500 workers affected by the elimination that will take place June 15. One shift production will begin June 18. GM also announced a special attrition program to employees that could affect the number of people actually laid off. Sales of the plant’s compact car product, the Chevrolet Cruze, have declined for months. March marked the 11th consecutive month of sales declines for the Cruze. Last year, the plant lost its third shift and saw more than 10 weeks of down time because of the trend away from small cars.
The news comes after the United Auto Workers Local 1112 President Glenn Johnson was ousted by former UAW 1714 President Dave Green earlier this week. Earlier this year, the UAW 1714 and UAW 1112 merged to secure the future of GM Lordstown, union leadership said at the time.
Some good news for the plant came last week when GM announced the 2019 Cruze would be released later this year with an upgraded face and new features.