Saturday, February 21, 2009

Two hundred twenty seven skilled trades workers get layoff notices


OSHAWA -- More than 200 skilled trades workers at the Oshawa car plant got layoff notices this week.

The cut is a result of two previously announced production-slowing measures.

In November GM announced the line rate in the plant would be reduced because the Buick would no longer be built in Oshawa.

In December the company announced it would cut the third shift at the car plant. The move resulted in 1,200 layoffs.

When the shift was cut GM spokeswoman Patty Faith said it was considered temporary, the result of declining U.S. auto sales. The third shift has been off since Christmas.

The skilled trades workers affected by these previous cuts are just being impacted now, Ms. Faith said.

"Skilled trades had been retained to support other plant activities related to the Flex line, etc, which is why they are just receiving their notices now, but they are part of that 1,200," Ms. Faith said in an e-mail.

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