Insiders: GM Will Close Most U.S. Plants For Up To 9 Weeks This Summer
Posted April 22, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Things keep going from bad to worse for GM employees. As the company struggles to avoid bankruptcy, it appears the workers waiting for that possible final blow will have a new concern: a longer than excepted layoff.
Two unnamed officials who are privy to the inside plans of the stricken automaker say the company will close almost all of its U.S. factories for up to nine weeks during the summer because of the ongoing slump in sales.
That would likely include the expected two week dismissal that takes place in July, which normally allows for factory changes from one model year to the next.
There’s no word on whether any Canadian plants will be included in the decision. And a spokesman for the Canadian Auto Workers indicates he hasn’t formally heard anything about what the move might mean for his members.
He confirms a U.S. shutdown would definitely impact the St. Catharines engine plant and another factory in Windsor. But he couldn’t say whether Oshawa would feel the pinch, as well.
The anonymous duo behind the warning refused to comment further, saying employees haven’t been officially informed of the shutdowns.
GM has received a $13.4 billion bailout in the U.S. and is in line for several billions more north of the border. It has until June 1st to announce a satisfactory restructuring plan or face bankruptcy protection.
Photo credit: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
