UAW upset over 2nd shift cut today, Ryan gets reassurance from CEO Barra

LORdSTOWN

A broken press that makes fenders for the Chevrolet Cruze at the General Motors Lordstown Assembly Complex led to the cancellation of the second shift at the East Plant today.

United Autoworkers was upset to hear the company shipped in fenders from Mexico because of the issue, a union source said.

United Autoworkers Local 1112 represents the 3,000 workers at the assembly complex that will go down to one shift of production in mid-June, which will lead to an expected 1,500 layoffs at the plant.

The union source told The Vindicator on Friday that the union protested the move by the automaker to bring in 800 fenders from Mexico for the Cruze because the press is broken.

The union has been upset with the company’s maintenance practices for a long time and “now it’s costing members work,” the source said.

The last day for the two-shift operation at GM Lordstown is June 15.

The loss of the second shift is a result of slowing demand for the Cruze, a compact car.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, said Friday he spoke directly with GM CEO Mary Barra about the loss of the second shift.

“I expressed my deep disappointment in GM’s decision to lay-off workers, but I came away from the conversation confident GM Lordstown will continue to play an important role in the company’s long-term success,”

Read more in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.