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WARREN -- The president of United Auto Workers 1112, who represents some 3,000 people laid off at the General Motors Assembly Plant in Lordstown, said he is thankful two of Ohio's federal lawmakers are pushing the Department of Labor to act quickly in approving a grant program application to assist laid-off workers.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, D-Howland, sent a letter Wednesday to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Alex Acosta.
"GM's announcement that it would lay off the second shift at the Lordstown plant comes just over a year after GM laid off the third shift, or 1,200 workers, at the same facility. GM is the primary employer in the region, and the elimination of nearly 3,000 jobs at the plant over the last two years will have significant economic consequences for the northeast region of Ohio. A National Dislocated Worker Grant will be critical to ensuring the Lordstown community and northeast Ohio have the resources they need to help the affected workers get the workforce training and job placement services they need to find new jobs," Brown and Ryan state in the letter.
The grants provide resources to states and other eligible applicants in response to large, unexpected layoff events causing significant job losses. The funding temporarily expands access to employment and training services, in order to re-employ laid off workers and enhance their employability and earnings, according to the Department of Labor. The program was authorized under the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
"I applaud them for supporting our members and the community. Programs like these aren't just good for our members, but are good for the communities that depend on our members to spend money and pay taxes in their communities," said David Green, president of UAW 1112.
Green said some people who were laid off when GM cut the third shift at the plant in January 2017 are still struggling to get by.
"Many are still unable to find work. They are struggling. Their benefits are dropping off or gone," Green said.
About 200 of the laid-off workers are opting to stick with GM and have moved or are moving to Spring Hill, Tenn., where a GM plant is adding a third shift, Green said.
The plant manufactures GMC Acadia and Cadillac XT5 crossovers, larger vehicles the company said are selling more than the smaller Chevrolet Cruze made in Lordstown.
"They have to do what they have to do. Most of them didn't want to move, but they want to make sure they can continue to earn a living wage -- a fair day's work for a fair day's pay," Green said.
But others union members were ready for a change in scenery, or returning home, Green said.
"Some are from Tennessee and transferred here in 2008 or 2009 when we added a shift. Some of them are going back home to plants that weren't doing so well back then, but are doing well now," Green said.
Call-back rights are in effect for five years, Green said.
In the meantime, laid-off members are taking advantage of Ohio-run retraining programs, Green said.
"Jobs Ohio has been helpful with retraining opportunities. Some members are going back to school for something in demand in the area. Some want welding, some want nursing -- they are jobs that are in high demand in the area. They want to get some education and start a new career path," Green said.
It is unclear how long the application with the Department of Labor will take to process or how the funds, if awarded, will be distributed. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services submitted the application.