Union Leader Says GM May Close Tenn. Plant

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) -- The president of the United Auto Workers local in Spring Hill said more than 2,100 jobs at the General Motors Corp. plant in Tennessee are in real jeopardy.

United Auto Workers Local 1853 President Mike O'Rourke said Thursday that in his opinion, the future of the jobs at the Chevrolet Traverse assembly plant is a "coin flip." GM is proposing to phase out 16 North American plants by 2011.

O'Rourke said he has been telling members to "pray for the best but plan for the worst."

Spring Hill GM plant spokeswoman Andrea Hales declined comment.

O'Rourke said Spring Hill could be endangered because it is not as close to suppliers as some plants in the Midwest. He said Spring Hill was put "at risk" when GM decreased its projected output of vehicles.

O'Rourke said he wrote in Local 1853's official newspaper that was sent to members by e-mail Thursday that Local 1853 leaders have been "led to believe that GM has added Spring Hill assembly to the closure list, to be closed by the end of the year." He declined to elaborate during a phone interview with The Associated Press.

The Spring Hill plant has a total of 3,200 employees. Most of the work force is assigned to assembling the Chevrolet Traverse crossover utility vehicle, while other build four-cylinder engines for other GM vehicles.

The automaker has received $15.4 billion in federal loans and faces a government-imposed June 1 deadline to either finish a major restructuring or be forced into bankruptcy protection.

The UAW made an agreement Thursday with GM and the federal government to cut labor costs, close factories and change the way retiree health care is funded. O'Rourke said he did not know any specifics about the agreement but was to attend a meeting Tuesday.

Of the 16 GM closings, two have been announced previously, an engine plant in Massena, N.Y., and a stamping plant in suburban Grand Rapids, Mich.

GM launched full-scale production of the Traverse, a new model, in October after overhauling the plant that was the first site for production of the Saturn brand.

The Traverse is an eight-seat crossover intended to appeal to drivers of large SUVs and trucks seeking better fuel economy.

GM already planned to shut down manufacture of the Traverse for five weeks starting June 8.

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Downsizing.... 5/22/2009 11:53:00 AM So as GM downsizes, the executive level management will also.....oh wait...what was I thinking.
This is hilarious 5/22/2009 11:57:00 AM It is hilarious to see union leaders still acting as though they have any semblance of control over the current situation. Terms like them making "demands" or "concessions" are ludicrous as they tremendously understate the fact that the unions no longer have a choice in the matter.
No, it's not hilarious 5/22/2009 12:10:00 PM I'm at a loss for words. The purpose of and continued need for the second amendment is becoming increasingly obvious.
Pant closing 5/22/2009 12:23:00 PM O'Rourke comments about the closing and refers to the 'problem' as possibly one of being too far from other GM units. Ludicrous at best. How is it then that US mfrs can still manufacture in China with complete disregard to distance and cost to ship. What am I missing or is this the hidden add on to selling price? Why do we never hear anything about transportation costs, gas et al, except for US manufacturing? Deception rules and CPA's conspire.
UAW 5/22/2009 12:47:00 PM Isn't the Spring Hill facility a non-UAW plant?
Why Bother? 5/22/2009 2:04:00 PM This entire article is like a decaf coffee with artificial sweetener and non-dairy creamer. Absolutely no substance to it that makes it worthwhile. Just what about this union official's opinion makes it newsworthy? Tell me what GM states thier plans are with this plant and that is news. As far as I am concerned, I wasted my time reading this article. And yes, I do recognize the irony of the wasted time in this posting as well.
Isn't the Spring Hill facility a non-UAW plant? 5/22/2009 4:22:00 PM No, only the Japan Plants are. If it was a non-UAW, GM would KEEP IT OPEN! :)
GM Spring Hill Plant 5/22/2009 5:32:00 PM This isnt an issue of Union or Management. The issue is JOBS in the USA vs some 3rd world country. This is GM's most modern plant, with it's best trained workforce. The workforce has a "CAN DO" mentality and they "GET IT" on what needs to be done to be the most competitive plant GM has today. It isnt about potentially 3000 jobs lost at a plant in Spring Hill, it is about potetially 18000-24000 jobs lost in Middle Tennessee. It is a BIG DEAL...a real BIG DEAL.
Spring Hill 5/22/2009 9:00:00 PM Isn't that where they first started making Saturns?
Save the Plant; Lose the Union 5/26/2009 9:52:00 AM Wanna keep the plant open? Tell the government to let GM get rid of the union at Spring Hill. Then they will be competitive, like all the Japanese-run plants are in the South. This is not rocket science, the people of Tenn need the will to force Obama's Socialist leaning hand, i.e. stop supporting the UAW, they are killing this country's competitive ability.
RE: Spring Hill 5/26/2009 10:42:00 AM "GM launched full-scale production of the Traverse, a new model, in October after overhauling the plant that was the first site for production of the Saturn brand."
Funny/Not Funny, UAW/Not UAW, et al 5/26/2009 10:48:00 AM It is commendable to be passionate about what you believe in...it makes you a better person. However, when you try to force your beliefs on another, that makes you look like a fool, and detracts from your message. GM is looking more and more like it will soon float to the surface on it's back, so to speak. If that happens, all of our arguments can become moot with the stroke of a pen and bang of a gavel. What has the second amendment got to do here? First amendment, absolutely.
Springhill plant closing 5/26/2009 7:30:00 PM Strictly speaking from a bottom line attatude. Closing this plant makes no sense at all. Suppliers who want to survive will move for the more economical workforce or succomb to the inevitable closing of Detroit and the end of the GREED mentality whitch has prevailed for so many years. I have no idea why a northern worker doing the same job as myself, with half the work ethic as we, as southern workers exibit,should be by birth, entitled to as much as 1.5 to twice the hourly wage! This is what has brought the AMERICAN auto industry down to this level. Thousands of middle Tennessee workers not covered by "added compensation" will be seriously affected. This will affect all aspects of our community. I suggest we as middle Tennessee auto workers to contact anyone&everyone who may or may not have a say in this matter including all Goverment officals, upto the White House
you voted red 5/28/2009 12:32:00 AM Its not about making sense. The plant closing will be determined by politics. Maybe you should of thought ahead when you voted red.
GM Closures 5/29/2009 12:47:00 PM I agree with a previous post that this is all talk - planned items at this point. i will go out on a limb and say that ANY union GM plant is at risk to close. Labor costs have to be reduced and you don't get any higher wages than greedy unions wages. I don't think UAW leaders quite get it. it seems they believe things will go on as usual when the dust clears. No Way! after this, everyhting changes.
GM vs. Obama 6/1/2009 1:00:00 AM Obama takes orders from the Bilderburgs who thay say are the owners of the world. We are not going to let Obama, Clintons or the Bilderburgs make the decisions of the world. Their decisions are to take over all big companies, as GM, banks institutions, and anything that has to do with the financial institutions of United States. We must fight, we must fight until the end. Because, if we don't then we as Americans are doomed. Fight hard and be ready for your families. Godspeed.
union 6/1/2009 6:59:00 AM That the UAW rank and file think that they can maintain the status quo is beyond belief. So, they want all of their fellow Americans to dig deep into their pockets so that they might keep their very cushy jobs, and non-jobs (workers who do nothing but sit in a room all day, and collect just about the same rate of pay as the ones who actually work!) Your fellow Americans will not stand for it! Get in the UE lines like the rest of us, you parasites, if you won't concede, or tell me how I can get a great non-job like some in the UAW!
re: Union 6/1/2009 11:32:00 AM Before you spout a bunch of garbage out of your mouth you should educate yourself on the topic. This is serious for many families out there. Try to be considerate of the circumstance.

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