DEVOLIN DISAPPOINTED WITH THE ELIMINATION OF ONE PRODUCTION SHIFT AT GENERAL MOTORS IN OSHAWA

April 30, 2008


LINDSAY: Local MP Barry Devolin was troubled to learn yesterday of news that the General Motor’s Oshawa Truck Assembly Plant will undergo a shift reduction starting September 8, 2008.

Officials at General Motors (GM) say that the job losses are based on a softening of the full size pick up and Sport Utility Vehicle market in the United States due to a weakened economy. As a result, GM has decided to bring production capacity more in line with market demand by eliminating one shift of production at all four plants – Janesville, Flint, Pontiac and Oshawa. 

The elimination of Oshawa Truck’s second shift in September will impact about 70 salaried jobs and 900 hourly jobs across the entire Oshawa complex.

“It is regrettable that GM has decided to take this course of action,” said Devolin. “This decision impacts families from all parts of this riding. My thoughts are with the workers and their families at this terrible time.”

“I believe that the local workforce at the Oshawa plant is second to none, were always professional and constantly produced a quality product,” stated Devolin. “It is my understanding that workers will get unemployment benefits and supplemental pay totaling 80 per cent of their normal 40-hour gross pay.”

Area media are reporting that GM and the CAW will meet immediately to discuss and plan for the removal of the second shift. It is too soon to predict how many people will be on indefinite layoff and how many may be eligible to elect early retirement. 

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For more information contact: 
Barry Devolin, MP 
(705) 324-2400 
(866) 688-9881