There's no question that for GM to survive, they're going to have to layoff many more people, close factories, cut benefit and salaries, and otherwise take a lot of measures that the employees will find painful. While we often comment wryly on the goings on in Detroit, it's really just a sad story. Toronto's The Star takes a look at the personal aspect of the layoffs and unveils some interesting things:
"I don't know what else we can do, it just doesn't make sense," he said. "Not only does it affect 3,000 people in Oshawa, it's going to affect all the feeder plants."
It's a fear understood by Maria Kehagias, 20, a part-time employee in training at Number 1. She was not only worried for her job but for her brother, Chris, 27, who drives a forklift at supplier Johnson Controls.
"Merry Christmas, you know?" she said. "It's very upsetting. This will be a ghost town. It will be another Flint, Michigan."
Chris Kehagias said everyone he works with at Johnson Controls is "concerned, it's really upsetting" because 80 per cent of the work done at his company goes to GM's plant 2.
"I don't see Johnson Control sticking around," said Kehagias of his plant, which supplies the steering wheels, airbags and other dashboard components for the Grand Prix and for other cars made at plant 2. He estimates the plant employs 900 to 1,000 people.
And we've talked before about forklift operators making six-figures before; here's another one:
Frank Fuhringer, who's worked for GM more than 28 years, thought about steering his son to the company a couple years ago but the former construction worker did not wish the stress upon him.
"It's too hard of a place," said Fuhringer, 52, who makes $70,000 a year driving finished cars out of the factory into a lot.
Good deal. And the fallout will effect more than just auto-suppliers. Banks and other lenders will see more defaults:
"I work here. My younger brother works here. And my father works here," said Laverdiere, who earns about $50,000 a year working in the Number 2 paint shop. His father and brother work in Number 1."I could lose my job," he said.
"I'm 34 and I just bought a house. Mortgaged up. Got a new vehicle. Brand new 2005 Jimmy."
So, yes, gloom gloom gloom. And, finally, whatever your views are about "corporate responsibility" making such a big announcement on Thanksgiving week is a terrible PR move, and furthers the notion that GM's leadership is inept.
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