GM Workers In Louisiana Expecting Layoffs

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — With General Motors Corp. reporting its worse year on record, workers at the GM plant in Shreveport are bracing for possible layoffs.

 

The world's largest automaker announced Tuesday a 2007 net loss of $38.7 billion.

 

United Auto Workers Local 2166 President Morgan Johnson said ''we may very well be looking at some small layoffs in the near future.''

 

Employee Fred Wynn Jr. said workers have been hearing about possible layoffs for several weeks and he expects as many as 60 layoffs by the end of the week. About 2,200 now work at the plant.

 

Shreveport plant officials would not comment about details of any layoffs.

 

GM spokesman Dan Flores did not know of any scheduled layoffs at GM's Shreveport plant but spoke generally about production cuts. ''If there is a production adjustment and people are impacted, they would be protected by the terms of the UAW-GM national contract.''

 

Employees at the Shreveport plant soon will hear more about retirement and buyout offers, Johnson said. ''A joint team from corporate and the international union will come down in the near future and address all employees with the specifics of the plan.