General Motors says it is eliminating shifts at its Delta Township, Michigan, and Lordstown, Ohio, factories as a result of weak demand for new cars in North America. The eliminated shifts mean that about 2,000 workers will be affected. GM says it is also idling production at a further 10 plants across North America during the first or second quarter of 2009.
About 1,200 workers at the Delta Township plant will be laid off indefinitely. The plant produces the Lamdba-platfrom GM SUVs, including the Buick Enclave , GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. Workers will alternate shifts until April 6 when they will be laid off.
Another 800 workers at the Lordstown plant will lose their jobs, too. That plant, which builds the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5, will be cut back to just one shift.
“We have hope things will turn and change,” UAW Local 1714 president Dave Green told the Detroit News. “This is no fault of our own. People are not purchasing cars right now.”
GM will temporarily idle production for additional weeks during the first and second quarters of this year at ten plants, including Spring Hill, Tennessee; Fairfax, Kansas; Arlington, Texas; Lansing/Grand River, Michigan; Orion Township, Michigan; Hamtramck, Michigan; Shreveport, Louisiana; Wilmington, Delware; Wentsville, Missouri; and Oshawa, Ontario.
