William Maley
Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com
June 1, 2012
General Motors is expected to announce today the closing of the Oshawa Consolidated Line. The line currently builds the Chevy Impala and overflow production of the Equinox.
General Motors told workers this morning the closure will happen on June 1, 2013 and layoff around 2,000 people. Chris Buckley, president of CAW Local 222 is not happy with the decision.
“GM announced to us this morning their plans to close the plant. We are extremely offended. Our members. both active and retired, made huge sacrifices to help save this company during their auto crisis. GM’s way of rewarding Canadian autoworkers is to throw them onto the street,” Buckley told the Windsor Star today.
Production of the Impala will move to the Detroit-Hamtramck plant. Chevrolet Equinox production will move to Spring Hill, Tenn.
We'll be keeping an eye out for an official announcement from GM.
Source: The Truth About Cars, The Globe & Mail, The Windsor Star
UPDATE: The Truth About Cars has gotten some comments from GM about Oshawa Consolidated Line closing. Originally, the line was supposed to close down in 2008, based on plans made in 2005. However, demand for the Equinox and Impala was so high, the plant was left open.
The closing will take place in shifts. Third shift will be phased out in the forth quarter of this year, while second shift will follow in the first quarter of 2013. Production will end will when the final W-Body Impala rolls of the line later in 2013.
There is somewhat good news for the laid-off workers. GM could add a third shift to the the Oshawa flex plant that builds the Chevrolet Camaro, Buick Regal, Cadillac XTS, and the next-generation Impala if additional capacity is needed. The 2,000 laid-off workers will have first shot at applying for the jobs.
Source: The Truth About Cars
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