950 Union Jobs on Chopping Block

(Flat Rock, Michigan) Management at a local automobile assembly plant making Fords and Mazdas has announced that 950 union jobs will be eliminated by July 12. An entire shift of workers will be laid off to streamline the assembly process.

Workers eligible for a retirement buyout will be offered $40,000 pre-tax for skilled trades workers or $20,000 pre-tax for non-skilled trades workers. Also, both groups will be given a $25,000 new vehicle voucher or lump sum payout.

Non-tenured workers will also be offered the option for a $50,000 pre-tax buyout, a $25,000 new vehicle voucher or lump sum payout, plus six months of basic health care.

United Auto Workers Union Local 3000 is seeking other options for the workers. I suspect it might be possible to pack them into the payroll at Government Motors.