Fewer and fewer GM workers remain in Janesville
JANESVILLE — General Motors, the once dominant employer in Janesville, has whittled its local workforce down to about 575 people through buyouts, retirements and transfers to other plants.
The local plant that employed 7,100 people in the late 1970s ended sport-utility vehicle production last December and its medium-duty line in April.
That resulted in the layoff of more than 1,200 local GM workers, as well as hundreds of layoffs at supplier companies. More than 200 GM workers signed up for an attrition program this summer that included buyouts and early retirements.
In the last six months, another 359 Janesville workers have voluntarily transferred to other GM plants.
The majority—185—transferred to GM's plant in Fairfax, Kan., producer of the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura.
Another 90 employees transferred to the Fort Wayne, Ind., plant that makes Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.
Eighty-four are working in Arlington, Texas, where GM exclusively builds the full-size SUVs that were jointly produced until December in Janesville.
Those workers who have transferred are getting rave reviews at their new plants, said John C. Dohner, who has returned to a leadership role at United Auto Workers Local 95 in Janesville.
"Those other locals are calling back to us, and they can't say enough about the quality of work or the work ethic that our people have brought to their plants," said Dohner, who served as Local 95 president from 1984 to 1987.
"Our people really got the short end of the stick from Detroit."
Dohner, recently elected as Local 95's vice president, stepped into the leadership role this week when former President Andy Richardson started work at the Fort Wayne plant. Dohner's son, John Dohner Jr., had been Local 95's shop chairman at GM before he transferred to Fort Wayne.
Dohner said those workers who have transferred have done so voluntarily. He suggests that workers who are thinking about staying with the automaker put their name in for a voluntary transfer.
That's because there is a clause in the UAW-GM contract that allows "forced transfers." GM could offer workers on unemployment and collecting negotiated Supplemental Unemployment Benefits a transfer to a specific plant. If the employee refuses the transfer, he or she likely would be terminated.
"We haven't had any forced transfers to date, and we haven't heard of any that are expected, but I would suggest getting your name in for a voluntary transfer," Dohner said. "That's just my opinion, though."
A voluntary transfer is preferable because employees can designate the plant or plants acceptable to them.
Fairfax and Fort Wayne have been popular destinations for local workers because those plants recently switched to four-day workweeks. Many local transfers are spending the week in those cities—both within reasonable driving distance—and coming home on weekends.
The possibility exists that the Kansas and Indiana plants could need even more workers. GM announced earlier this year that it will add third-shift production at the two plants in January and April, respectively.
GM also is adding a third shift at its Lansing Delta Township plant, which will start building the Chevy Traverse in April.
The GM plant in Arlington has scheduled overtime for the rest of the year to increase its production of full-size SUVs, and there's talk of a possible third shift there.
A third shift, however, can carry both positive and negatives. In the short term, it puts more people back to work. In the long term, it can put even more workers in disarray if the added production can't be sustained.
"We just don't know," Dohner said. "It's hard to tell what's happening with the U.S. auto market."
Dec 18, 2009 at 2:39 p.m.
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no foreign car company will ever move to the northern part of the us to build cars period
Oct 24, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
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There are still quite a few GM workers in the area. They are just waiting it out, using their unemployment and benefits up until the last second, hoping and waiting for some sort of better buyout/early retirement deal. What will happen if they don't get it?
No one will buy the former GMers houses, because no one can afford them! I know a few who have had their 2-500K homes on the market since before the plant closed. They've reduced the prices, and still can't get rid of them. There are a lot of families with a spouse in IN/KS/MI and another still here in Janesville. Lots of interesting things going on around here, wondering what will happen when the benefits stop????
Oct 24, 2009 at 4:14 p.m.
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Pete - I hope you don't actually believe we read those long, boring posts you make.
Oct 24, 2009 at 4 p.m.
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Correction: The Gazette did not ignore my information - I just found an email. Thanks Gazette and sorry about my slip.
Oct 24, 2009 at 3:18 p.m.
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Sorry Pete, but we lived through this before. Remember the housing collapse of 68-69, or the 70's inflation, the high unemployment of the late 70's & early 80's. What is different this time is it's hitting us all at once. I'm betting inflation will soon be here. This is why I have two houses, one to sell at an inflated price later. Every since 1907 we've had an economic downturn about every 25 years. Relax, and go get a second home. I rather buy $1,000 of food, than an ounce of gold.
Oct 24, 2009 at 3:05 p.m.
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Lucky rats -- at least they won't have to be forced to pay for the ice arena!
Good luck to all those hard-working GMers -- this town has not yet begun felt the brunt of losing those jobs and you people.
Oct 24, 2009 at 2:57 p.m.
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Honda is seriously thinking about moving production of their best-selling Fit from Japan to the U.S. Honda is also EXPORTING vehicles made in the U.S. to other countries. Export business is increasing for many manufacturers in the U.S., because of the value of the dollar. The doom and gloom is tiresome.
Oct 24, 2009 at 2:52 p.m.
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To bad the Gazette doesn't have the stones to delete the accounts of those who spam articles with off topic copy-paste rants.
Oct 24, 2009 at 12:47 p.m.
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Pete; you must have learned some lessons of the 60-80's. Economic cycles run about every 25 years. People can do well not by buying gold at an inflated price, but homes at a real deal. The point of my rant is I hope people buy the homes the GM workers left behind.
Oct 24, 2009 at 10:51 a.m.
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Joan, I am sure these people are happy they still have a job regardless of the hours. BTW, I thought this article was about the GM transfers, not ice arenas, homeless, and unemployement checks......
Oct 24, 2009 at 10:03 a.m.
Oct 24, 2009 at 9:40 a.m.
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Fort Wayne is working 50 to 60 hour per week right now. The new work rules say they can work you up to 12 hour days 7 days per week. We are back in the 1930s before we fought for workers rights! They can't take a sick day - even one they will be written up. No copy of the contract give so the workers are in the dark. They can't take a vacation day because there's no time they say.
They are going to work them until they die and then they won't have to pay any retirements.
I told the Gazette about that and they ignored it - instead they are writing this piece about how everyone should transfer.
Be warned those who remain!!! It's back to the dark ages.
Oct 24, 2009 at 8:29 a.m.
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I would hope Dohner would know how the employees feel.... he has three son's that were employed there; one has now transferred. Sad to hear of the "homeless" activity around town. I do feel people will be getting more desperate as time goes on.
Oct 24, 2009 at 8:24 a.m.
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Dohner's comment regarding his people "getting the short end of the stick from Detroit" is completely laughable! "His people" got insane buyout offers or the opportunity to skate off to another job in a different plant, I'm guessing making the same inflated $20-$30 wage that they were making in Janesville. Any other company would have given their employees a days notice and directions to the unemployment line......Is this guy seriously that out of touch with reality????
Oct 24, 2009 at 7:41 a.m.
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bobb1951: If you are that close to going to a shelter maybe it is time to give up your internet plan?
Oct 24, 2009 at 12:07 a.m.
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I think these people on the hill should have guides take them out at night,show them where & how the night people live. You know to get a grasp on just how people are at ends. Show them the ones living under bridges,in alleys,in abandoned houses,you know,just to MAYBE let these arrogant SOB'S get the real picture of what is going on in this town!!
Oct 23, 2009 at 9:34 p.m.
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Dohner does nothing and talks like he knows what the real employees think and feel. Sure he does??
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