Ryan asks GM to consider ODJFS program for laid-off workers

LORDSTOWN — U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan today urged General Motors to consider ShareWork Ohio, a unique layoff aversion program offered by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS) for employees impacted by the recently announced layoff of the second shift at GM Lordstown.

GM will end the second shift at the plant in mid-June. The result of that will be the loss of more than 1,700 jobs at the plant and local supporting plants.

In a letter sent to GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra, Ryan of Howland, D-13th, highlights ShareWork Ohio’s outside-the-box approach to retaining valued employees until demand can return to the industry market.

As stated on the ODJFS website: “A SharedWork Ohio plan, the participating employer reduces affected employees’ hours in a uniform manner. The participating employee works the reduced hours each week, and ODJFS provides eligible individuals an unemployment insurance benefit proportionate to their reduced hours.”