you better read how gm paid that federal loan off,an whose money they used,because it sure as hell wasnt theirs,so i wouldnt be bragging to much,theyve suck this state dry,an they want a pat on the back,they need a kick in the pants.lol

Do not expect any pity from me. I had to live out of state (900 miles from home) years ago for a job. You have to do what needs to be done. Besides, where else around here are you going to make that kind of money and benefits. Crazy!

tim4me, it does seem as if the Gazette is kicking people when they are down. I wish this GM bashing would stop. These kind of negative posts could have a negative effect on those who have to move. Just think before you type, bashers.

You are right marylou. Sorry you could not transfer but you did what is right for your family and that is all that matters. The negative posters on here are ridiculous, I know. Let it go in one ear and out the other!

The reason they call it a forced transfer is because they are forcing you to make a decision, and they are giving you a time line to do it in. I received my letter last Tues. and had to reply by the following day (Wed.). It is very hard to make a major life decision in one day. I realize I have been off work since Dec. 2008. I have not been sitting around in a daze getting my free money. I attend school full time, I am doing an internship, and I also volunteer to help abused and neglected kids. I think alot of people just need to worry about themselves and not judge a person just because they used to work at GM. What does that have to do with anything? I know people who took the transfer for all the reasons that you people think are good reasons. The economy is bad, and this is an opportunity to get a great paying job, and retain your benefits. They are miserable. The money is not everything. How can living in another state by yourself while your loved ones are still in Wi. be worth it? And before you judge that comment, the reasons are personal. You can't possibly know everyone's life story, and think you have the best answer to the problem. Just for the record, I did not take the transfer. I would rather stay here where I can be with my family then go where the money is. I think alot of you need to take a step back and maybe offer support to some of these people who could use it. Putting them down does not help.

Blah Blah Blah...move to another GM city and you won't see this kind of blogging bashing that goes on against GM employees and the company. The Gazette is really milking the GM headlines..find another company to air their employees wages, salaries, benefits, transfers etc. The company did everything possible to make a bad situation a little better for so many people.

I'm still not clear on some of it. The 5 people I have talked to(3 UAW/2 DWD)have all given me different answers. The letters received last week went through the 95' seniority dates leaving some 86' people still. I was told that of those that did not get the letters for Lordstown production they would be getting letters for the stamping plant there by the end of this week. I was also told if we do not go our insurance goes through to the end of the month but tsp will end immediately. So in the end there are still alot of unanswered questions. The local should have been on top of this with correct answers but who knows what they were told if anything at all. I wish they would have given us a few more days with better, concrete answers. Too late now though, you either jumped in blind or not at all. Everyone's situation is different. Best of luck to those that go and to those that stay.

Thanks for the good explanation. Appreciate it. I was confused, since GM went through Bankruptcy, I assumed contractual obligations created before the bankruptcy were severed, as would normally be the case. Apparently not so, as this was a very different "administration (Obama) assisted bankruptcy," things came out differently, than they normally would.

That sucks, malky15. Have you figured out what you need to do? Can you get the answers you need or just a run around? I truly am concerned here, this is not just playing "house" like when we were kids, this is actually happening to real human beings with real feelings. I also say enough of the bashing, don't you get tired of being mean? I know I would. I guess I am an ole softy at heart as are some other posters. JMO

justme46, ain't it grand!? Ok, here's what happened to me. I got a letter last Friday stating I had to reply by end of business today. Today I got a "revised" letter stating I have to reply by yesterday. Sent out yesterday, FedEx'ed overnight, received today, reply yesterday. Amazing.

I'm a GM worker that transfered to Arlington, TX last April. Although it was tough on myself and my family it was the best decision for all of us. The support GM workers receive down here is overwhelming and very welcoming!! It is sad to read the horrible comments written about GM workers in my home town....shame on you! Good luck to my former UAW Local 95 Brothers & Sisters!

BigRoadie-you shouldn't have any problems transfering then!! Jznzfs is absolutely right on!!

I agree with all of the postings that these people are not being forced to transfer. They had the chance to transfer before this to any facility they wanted to, if that plant needed people. I made that choice awhile ago. Leaving family and friends behind was a tough choice, as it will be for these people that choose to go now. But you do what you have to do to keep a roof over your head and food on the table for your family. Good luck to all those having to make that decision now.

Just heard on WCLO, letters were sent out to 100 employees of GM, they had til today to respond, you all know this, right? Now they say some employees got the letter that shouldn't have gotten it and some that should have gotten it, didn't! All they said about this is "they are trying to figure this out", isn't it a little late? If they must reply by today? These letters were based on seniority and the left over employees still here in Janesville that did not get a letter (see above because this could be a mix up!) will be called back to GM if it ever opens again here! We all know this will not happen, so I would be confused also. WOW, I am baffled! I can imagine what these employees and their families are going through right now! What a mixed up mess!

Sarge-I agree; well said, because I think you meant: "So, it's a bit dificult to see WHERE the GM family is so upset with the community???" (not "why"-because I don't see that. I (and many others) see exactly the opposite. After all, who are the majority of the posters?
Most have moved on, or are attempting to find their new niche. Most posters on these GM-centric articles are others who are apparently preoccupied with the subject. We can't blame GM workers (or ex-workers) for the abundance of articles about it, now can we? (Though many seem to. I wonder why.)

Well said Sarge!

GM layed off the local payroll & benefits rep on April 29th. On May 5th, letters started arriving via Fed Ex (note letters dated 4/26/10) informing layed off GM employees (many of which are going to school and working part time jobs in the community) that they MUST transfer to Ohio immediately or loose all remaining benefits & opportunity to transfer. So now, there are hundreds of Janesville residents looking for help in this process and nobody to turn to for assistance! Believe me, hubby's been trying to get ahold of someone in Detroit...both last friday afternoon and on Monday. Only answers he got from them was, "they're in a meeting", "there not in today" and one "how did you get this number?" Sounds like strategic planning to me. In the past 24 hours, hubby worked furiously to get all the info he could and made the decision to start his early retirement paperwork so he could remain here in Janesville working his low paying/no benefits job and stay with family that fortunately found decent jobs in a nearby county. Call it whining if you will....because those who bash won't understand the human suffering here because you think "hey...you have a job, so go".
Anyway, hubby just told me that the layed off payroll & benefits guy is at the UAW right now...donating his time to assist all those walking through the door...looking dazed and seeking much needed help making decisions and getting paperwork in order.
Thank you John, your help is very much needed, appreciated and a blessing in a time like this.

sickofyou, and to the now countable others leaving: Good luck on your future endevours. Although, I do not find it a lucky option at this time in your hard working years life to uproot/ nor has it been for any of the people that have relocated prior. I feel when all is said and done, this manoteny placed behind in the past; prosperous futures will prevail that would burn up those whom are evil wishers. Then as the saying goes, He who laughs first...
Hope the people of the Mighty Janesburg Area do find a place of peace too, in due time. Never wish bad on anyone, is what the elders have taught. Only wish for positive and good. Even to your enemies.
As they say, later down the road, history will display the true facts. After a generation dies off in the population, this will all be past and forgotten.
I still wonder though about the Health Care Providers presently, and the near future additions they bring to the local economy. Are they, and their contractural agreements both from local, state, and federal levels, and their insuring parties going to be the next big thing to disencumber with? Or, will it be some entity that is yet to reveal itself to the masses? Because yah know...THEY* have to have a Bad-Guy to pound into the ground or they won't ever be content with themselves. This is the final boom comming from General Motors people in the area. They may hear of some stories yet to transpire of how things are GREAT where people have relocated to. And they also may read stories that upset them for a no-connection to reasoning. But they shall always be as they are. They too know what kind of people they are. Forgive them, for they do not see the True Light. Its not their fault, they were born that way.
Again Good Luck to you all!

Where has everybody been? This has been going on since the first people went to Austin, Kansas City, and Fort Wayne. Those families have been separated for quite a while now. They don't like it, but there wasn't much choice. Most of the ones I know (if they haven't already left the area) are leaving when the school year ends and/or they sell their house. Some are actually thinking they might have to rent their house.
.
Some one mentioned property taxes. When the first ones were transferred to Fort Wayne a number of years back, they didn't know what to find either. What they did find were lower housing costs, lower taxes, and bigger homes. They ended up staying there. By the way, Janesville has its share of blighted areas too.

It seems like 'sickofyou' has an excellent understanding of the situation. I think the reason so many people "bash" on GM or ex-GM employees are because they didnt face reality and arent ready to yet. They see blame everywhere...Governor, GM Management, Janesville, etc. It was a complete failure, that is everyone had a hand in the situation and the economic downturn exasperated the issue. Its happened to mine workers, textile workers, secretaries, airline industry, etc. The best survive, adapt to survive, Darwinian theory, etc.The janesville community didnt want to lose all of these workers, their discretionary spending, their tax monies, etc. but there is also nothing we can do to help. After all, as you so eloquently stated, it affected our tax base and home value and income levels and possibly job status. Long story short....everyone is hurting in some fashion and most of us dont have $25+/hour job offers. So, it's a bit dificult to see why the GM family is so upset with the community??? seems so mis-guided...for all of these people driving around GM product that isnt worth the price they paid for it 3 years ago.

Devil* The Subpay has been over for some people for sometime now. The final quantity of dislocated workers will be final within two weeks. They then have an opportunity to file for TSP in bulk plus $10,000; (opting-out/severing all ties, and ending any-benefits in future, e.g. retirement/ pension rights, or any recalls with GM), or TSP weekly turn over at 50% of years earned in credit/ minus any UC (if any program coverages as of present legislation) they would recieve. The time span for such reporations would be constituted by their years of service to GM. All amounts would be determined individually per case.
I do hope this clears up any misinterpretations of the facts.
Again this is contractural issue. For those whom dislike what they read, this was a signed agreement(prior to todays stance) between parties; just as ANY contract would be honored. I am sorry that so few people understand such in legal terms, and use all media types to throw in their disdain for such that they do not understand comprehensively.
To me it is disheartening to read of poor humanity choice these blogs sometimes contain. As we see people reveal their true selves, and just how negative they feel about the downfall of a large number of working adults, their families, those whom they represented, and the many good things ignored by a wronging community that These Individuals contributed to this local area. It is presumed the Good is always ignored by the facts presented by those whom only see one-sided views.
The saying, 'What comes around-goes around' stands out to me quite loudly today. A small amount of economical changes have been felt by the community, the other % shall now begin and we shall see a rather large decline from local fiscal business'. This is a nice community as a whole. The people for the most part, are considered a good people. To those I commend for their understanding fully what all this has encapsulated for 1000's of REAL PEOPLE and their loved ones.
To the rest of the don't-give a hoot, and negative evil souls; I say shame on you for thriving on a peoples hardships. You truly do not have common good blood running through your veins.

"Laid off Janesville employees are still getting sub pay? How long does that go on for?"

No, sub pay has ended. Some may still be getting (tsp) I think it's called. That is half of what you got in sub, works out to about $100 extra per week. But as of today, if you turn down the transfer, that ends too...today.

I dont think it is short notice as far as people being told to take an Ohio job or sever ties with GM. I knew this was their plan over a year ago. Some jumped off of their lazy boys and signed up to go to other plants and some just hung around hoping the local plant would re-open. I do feel bad that families are being split up for awhile but yes they did know a long time before this that it could happen. Good luck to all transferee's.

I am reposting this from another story.. but I am going to add.. I want nobody to feel sorry for me.. And I never asked anybody to feel sorry for me.. so some of you can put down that cross you think you are carrying for most of us..I am a GM worker..And I am taking the transfer.. I spent the weekend driving to Ohio and looking at houses and figuring out the area.. and yes there is some really crappy parts there.. but I found some really nice areas too.. I have found a house i just put in a offer on and I just found out, it is half of the taxes there.. with alot more house and 20 times the land.. I have never wanted to buy a house in Janesvile, The taxes there are stupid for what you get and the schools really aren't that good.. they spend more time energy and money on sports then they do actually teaching the kids.. I mean look at how narrow minded the people posting on here are.. need I say more?? I am sure i am going to spell something wrong and someone will think they actually won something when they catch it but it will just prove my point even more, I have spent the last few years getting ready for the move.. I knew it was going to happen, Really you had to know, What else really was going to happed? I don't even know what to say to alot of you other then I see our taxes already went up and your values are going down.. I used to give alot of mine time and money to this area (and yes Janesville to) just to help make it a better place to live.. I am taking my time and money and family and leaving.. I spent alot of time looking for work around here and back when I lived in the "real world" making $15/hr I gained alot of skills.. so I do have things to offer companies, but I wasn't going to work for min. wage either.. I really shouldn't post this because I am so frustrated with you people my mind is running faster then I can type and there is so much to say that you are wrong about.. I guess I will say and mean it.. I really do wish the best of luck to you and your town.. I used to love going there for food and entertainment.. Some of the people there are some of the best I have ever met.. BYE

Laid off Janesville employees are still getting sub pay? How long does that go on for?

A family hardship is the point here. It does not matter what company would be involved, this would be difficult for anyone and it is always easy to say it's no problem unless it happens to you. This is what this article is all about.

No Molly, I am not getting old. This entire story about GM and the former workers "woe as us" whining is getting really old. Nobody is forced to move to Ohio. Some may have little choice but they do have a choice. People are suffering all over so deal with it!

last continueing page....
good luck on your endeavor to find that new position you've been training for.
After visiting a city council meeting recently. I heard comment on a number of different topics. Most all of which involved spending taxpayers money with out possible return on the investment. Lack of proper city owned building maintenance (funds were used for other pet projects) creating a lack of funding for the now needed repairs at a more costly level than if they had kept up with it over the years. Even a going green program (which I'm all for except for the cost)), but at a cost to the city and taxpayers. Going green shouldn't cost money. It's about costing less money, and it should start at the highest levels providing a good role model for others to follow.
Not once throughout the meeting did I hear mention of a program to create jobs for the community. Which we need more, than the rest of the items talked about.
Ok. I've typed enough this morning. I need to get some relevant work done to provide an income.

Continueing from previous post...

It appears a number of you may be under educated (mere high school diploma )and have no means of getting a higher wage and therefore are jealous of those that got lucky enough to get the union job that did pay so well (even though they may not have been highly educated).
Others may be in the same boat I'm in. Educated, experienced and highly skilled, but too much for today’s employer that would rather hire the person willing to work for $7.25 per hour. Even if they have to hire two or three to do the job of the one that would have done the job correctly the first time and in less time (making the company money two fold by not having to pay the added insurance costs, and buy productivity done ahead of schedule with out rework/warranty repairs).
For those of you that have a job. FANTASIC. Keep it and go on with your lives. I wish you the best. Oh and enjoy the downward spiral as your pay is capped or cut and the taxes continue to rise, and property values plummet (they have already started).
But Sit down and shut up about the folks that have lost their way of life. They will do what they have to to survive. Many of them will move out of town. Their leaving may open up the available homes for sale, but it won't create a job for anyone, or pay your greater share of the increasing tax base.
The education benefit and unemployment for these people will run out soon. They all knew this was coming (I've know for many months, so they should have too). And they will have a choice to get that job here or look for one elsewhere, since the job market for fair paying family supportable positions is less than plentiful around here. And doesn't look to promising in the near future. 10 years down the road is too far to wait for that one job. By then your house is gone along with your savings.
For those that have been just sitting back (excluding those going to school) hoping for a reopening of the plant. Get up and look for an opportunity. You knew you had a certain period of time to find something else or transfer to another facility. If you chose to do nothing. Quit whining about having transfer now. You knew it was coming. Just not the exact day it would arrive. Plenty of time to get things in order.
For those that went back to school. Good for you. But you to have a choice to make now. My suggestion is to converse with the company and persuade them to allow you to finish the schooling (with in weeks), which would make you a better educated employee, that could help the company in the long run. If not,

After reading many of these posts over the past few days, I can't help but laugh at some of you and feel for others.
I am not a GM worker, but do have family that did or do work for them. Some of them have retired, Some took a buy out and found a specialized trade that the like very much, and still others have taken a transfer to another state a full days drive away from family and friends they've know their entire life. I also have friends that work or worked for GM and other compaines. Some of them went back to school as suggested. Furthering their education to find that better paying job. Many of them will graduate these next few weeks, but not soon enough to make the transfer to Ohio.(So therein lays another choice. Finish school and get the degree you are so close to, or drop out and go back to work with out it.)
I myself have a profession that has seen a 70% drop in product and income (how's that for taking a pay cut? could you live on 70% less? Probably not.) due to these last few large companies (Lear, GM, Gilman, United Industries among others) packing it in over the past two years My profession pays per completed product and not just for showing up for 40 hours a week. (which for me is more in the neighborhood of 100 hours per week. Many times for little or nothing because these projects can take from 100 hours to a few thousand hours). And any self employed person receives no unemployment for weeks with out pay even though they are required to pay into the fund. So even closing my doors due to the poor enconomic state. I will receive no help from any government.
From my POV, many of you have no clue what it's like to have to pack up and leave everything you've known or worked for your entire life. Many of these people had modest homes that they had equity in (time, money, and love, and not wanting to loose tens of thousands for their investment) making it their home that they intended to keep the rest of their lives. I know I do, along with a large trusting customer base that has been built up over the past 30 years. Staring over in a new community where no one knows your work, and absolutely no customer base to start with is not something I do not look forward to. Many of my customers Only have one project for me every few years (sold the last one and bought another one, etc). Now that the income to these people is cut back and with an unknown future so are the request for these projects. Which in turn causes me to cut back where I can (ie. cable tv, Movies, Bowling once week, salon hair cuts are now done at home, even the occasional ice cream at DQ.)
You see where this is leading? Money that once was, is no more. So when one income is lost so to are a number of others.
Even if it isn't your particular job that is effected today. But it could be tomorrow or next week. Who knows?

I agree making these GM people move on very short notice is very dificult and it's their choice. There are thousands of unemployed people (non GM workers) that would jump at the opportunity with no questions asked.

It's not just the companies fault as some have stated. The union was very culpable in all of this and the union is the agent for the worker's. The union speaks on behalf of teh workers. The same workers that refused benefit and pay cuts and fought for every dime, which was their right. Now GM is exercising someof their rights. For every employee that refuses to move to Ohio, GM will save thousands of dollars which they will much appreciate because they now realize that their Management made some very awful decisions regarding labor and legacy costs. When times were good...no problem. But when the economy went down the issues came to the forefront. Whether or not you believe it is GM's managements complete fault or not, as an employee you needed to keep abreast of how YOUR company and YOUR future was doing just as people do at every job (entrepenuer, white collar, blue collar, Dr. office, etc). Too many people had their heads in the sand.

And about the "BUY-American" theme that all GM workers have as their Mantra...I'd love to walk through their homes. I've known a few GM workers that thought it was sacriligious to drive a Toyota or Honda....but had all kinds of foreign electronics, clothes,tools and furniture in their homes.Funny how "Buy American" is sooooo important as it pertains to their jobs but to hell with the rest of the community, state, and country.

It would be very hard to pull up stakes and move a whole family to Ohio. I know I would not want to do it. Yes, the money could be a determining factor, but I honestly would look for a job around here before moving. I don't think they have that long though, do they? I am married to a GM retiree, he worked their for 32 years. When all this mess was going on with insurance and the such, we got screwed. We were married and sent in all the paperwork. Everything was fine for a year (got married in '07). Then in '09 in April I magically disappeared! GM had a seperate company conduct a survey of the workers and the families and we knew nothing about it. Never got the survey. They sent it to a place we lived 6 years ago, why we asked, because when we moved we gave them all the info otherwise he would not get his pension. Any way, we got my insurance back after 3 months and they did not go back and cover those months. Hubby was mad to say the least. GM is screwed up, I agree. Not just from this happening, but all the things happening since they decided to shut the doors here. Even hubby who is retired thinks this sudden move is a bunch of baloney for these families. JMO

NO, the title should read, "GM OFFERS JOB OPPORTUNITY IN OHIO, WORKERS WELCOME TO MOVE THERE"

Your getting old "TheJoker". Give it a rest!

The title should read - "GM forcing workers to work".

If you work for a company with 10 employees you more than likely have at least one whiner, one alcoholic, probably a couple of lazy people. The majority are good hard workers. Now multiply that by 300 and you have the average GM plant. GM is an easy target merely because of it's size, but probably not that different from where you work.

I've tried to read all the posts in both articles (about GMers short-notice move to Ohio), and other GM related stories in the past couple years-because now, I admit it, it's partly to see the ratio of the people who complain about the GM worker/"whiners" compared to those workers who actually do whine. Of GM worker/"whiners"-I find few to none. People who complain about these fictional "whiners": 99% of the posts.
A handful of people may have expressed concern over this recent Ohio decision that must be made, but most of those expressed concern for others, and didn't actually work at GM themselves. Those are people with empathy. The few who actually express concern over their own lives with or post-GM, well these articles are ABOUT those workers, and one of the biggest aspects of their lives. If you're not involved, why DO you read about it? Especially if it disgusts you so? Really, why? Do you actually have more of a right or reason to express fear, regret, disappointment (or hate, jealousy, contempt) than those who are actually experiencing this life-changing upheaval??
Where ARE all these posts from GM workers whining over how rough they have it? Show me a bunch of them-enough to warrant all the anti-GM worker posts. There sure are enough people whining about them. It's been stated before, but no (anti-GM worker) ever addresses it.

As a 30yr GM retiree I see some people don't seem to understand the GM-employee relationship. It's extremely simple: as an employee you are nothing but a number and GM is a paycheck. That is the entire relationship.They only care about making money that is why they are in business there is nothing personal about it, any warm body will do and as long as you are willing to sacrifice your health you can make good money but it comes at that cost.

Im glad I became a FORD fan a couple years ago. Im very happy I did. GM quality and style doesnt even come close

Why, thank you very much kid! :)

well said joeschmoe. you have the rational thinking of a regular cannabis consumer;)

tbov, I would like to give them credit but the fact is they don't deserve it.. Let's see they are bankrupt, screwed there share holders, and bond holders, not to mention the workers that would still have a job if they had any leadership in the first place.. The government fired the last ceo but the new one doesn't look much better..

14isntenuf and psychonurse---

I don't think the people were whining about you, so why do YOU care? You did the right thing. You made a choice to move your family, and that must have been extremely difficult. You are living in a different state, working, and making a go of it. I think the frustration here in Janesville is that there are many, many people who are out of jobs, not just the GMers. Yet there is an article here in the Gazette stating that they are being FORCED to move. Many out of work people would love to have the oportunity to have a well paying job and find it hard to listen to someone complaining about having to move. They have known for 2 YEARS that this day would come and have been getting paid and receiving benefits while they are not working. It is just hard for others to sympathize.

Both my father and grandfather retired from GM and I appreciate all the company has done to help our family. But I do not feel sorry for people who have sat around for 2 years and not made any plans knowing this day would come. My dad took a voluntary transfer to Janesville when he thought his plant was going to close and our entire family had to move. It was hard, but we did it and I'm glad we did. I would be a different person if I hadn't grown up in Wisconsin.

I agree with you 14isntenough! We moved to Arlington just when gm announced they were closing the doors. Best thing we could have ever done! We miss family and friends but dont miss the BS of janesville and all you whiners! I stand on both sides of the fence I feel like you all that have stayed back have a hard decision to make but this should have been going thru your mind for the last 2 years! You have enjoyed your families and friends and not having to work but its time to move on!!!
For all you GM haters...why do you care? This is something that these people should deal with themselves! BUTT OUT!
And for you that arent buying american.... shame on you too! Your wanting to whine about the world financial problems but your part of the reason its happening!
Well I am going to move on with my life now and enjoy not dealing with all of your negativity anymore! Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Most people stopped working at GM at the end of 2008. It's amazing how many GM haters are still out there. Let it go already. I made the tough choice to move last July & am glad I did. I miss my family, but don't miss the BS attitude many Janesville residents have. There is life after Janesville. I wish nothing but the best for Jason & his family & the rest of the people making this decision. I worked with Jason & know he'll make the right decision that best suits his family. Rock On!!

I think what is really sad is that many of these GM workers who move to Ohio will miss "Redneck Fest". Damn you General Motors!!

tbov....give them credit for what? A good PR campaign? GM basically used taxpayer money to pay back taxpayer money. When taxpayers get the other $50 billion, then they can brag about paying off a loan.......By the way, the CBO estimates that US taxpayers will lose around $30 billion of their "investment" in GM--I had to laugh at hiredgun's little comment about having Obama invest his money......Yeah, good luck with that!!!!

I'm just curious as to why the option to move to Ohio is such a big deal?? Sorry, military families do this all the time.....

“I feel like my hand’s being forced now,” Muenchow continued. “I don’t want to sound like a whiner. A lot of people lost their jobs and didn’t receive as much money as I have from their employer.”

That is whining! Take the offer for a high paying job with benefits in Ohio...or take a job for considerably less here in Janesville if you want to stay here...or you can wait for the plant to re-open here. Just stop expecting the cash cow to keep filling your pockets for doing nothing.

Reality can be a bitter pill. Two years and many people of this city are like deer staring into the headlights of an oncoming auto. The city government, school board, local business people, and many of us wonder what will happen when the government money dries up? Gm, Lear, Lsi, Gilman, Sanford, Accudyne, Jatco, Parker Pen, railroad, trucking jobs, and sorry if I left anyone out, are gone or good. Deep down we know it's not 1999 anymore, but we sometimes act as if it were. I as a homeowner can see that denial is not going to work any longer for me or any other person in this city. It was going to be easy for me to blast the man in this story for being so ill prepared, but as I write this I came to realize that we in the area are all part of this story. We must stick together and make it through this, out of denial but hopeful! I wish the best for this man's family no matter what his decision and to the rest of those without jobs or worring about losing the one they now have. Sorry if my writing skills are not up to the standards that many require, (if you could see my typing skills, at least you would smile once today) but even those of us that struggle in these areas may have a message.

"Foreign vehicles were introduced decades ago and GM and the union refused to chnage their business model to refelct the changes in the WORLD"
I don't think you can fault the workers on the line for GM's inability to change their business model, which is what led to their downfall. Blame the management and CEOs who make obscene salaries to bring down large companies.

the union is not a problem?? are u nuts? Wages and benefits (and ridiculous legacy costs)vastly over the going market rate is what allowed foreign companies to make in-roads into the auto markets. Foreign vehicles were introduced decades ago and GM and the union refused to chnage their business model to refelct the changes in the WORLD (not J-ville). Every market has new companies and products introduced to them..and guess what, the companies that adapt the best survive. It's too bad that the foreign companies adapted faster and better than did our USA producers. Why would people buy USA when the quality was less and the price tag was more??? Sorry, I won't jeopordize my financial future to keep you earning $30+/hr. Get real. And every GM worker "auto" be kissing O'Bama's ass for even saving the company....a million other businesses went under because of the economic times, poor business models, over priced labor or for having suppliers in this situation. Now, go pay your union dues.

I agree, bella! VERY misleading

Very misleading headline, Gazette. This is good news - unemployed people getting a chance to go back to work. Disappointed to see such a negative slant.

To mayhem08: The Union is not "the" or "a" problem. Current economic factors are the problem. The American origin companies, auto industry that supplied a population base for years had a big disruption by the introduction of foreign vehicles. When you divide the pie (population) any company can have problems.

tbov, same as I said to hiredgun, do some research on that topic and you will find that
packolies is correct.

Hey packolies, how much has the banks paid off or even offer to try and pay off, give some credit to GM

hiredgun, before spouting too much about GM's loan payback, you should do a little research on that topic...

actually gm did not pay off their loan.. they simply took money from the tarp fund which they had from there lousy finace arm gmac and put it toward the auto bail out loan.. Just a shell game for gm still and it show's management still can't run a decent company.. imho

Hey rico, GM paid off the federal loan early and at a profit to the government. Why is that a problem? Sounds like Obama was a better investor than say, AIG, Bear Stearns, and Goldman Sachs.

Looks like that union is working great for them!!! But I thought that unions were so great.....WRONG!!!!!!!

What? They must work to receive benefits. What an outrage.

"GM forcing workers to move to Ohio"

Really, couldn't the Gazette come up with a more accurate headline?

How about: "GM workers have opportunity to become employed in Ohio"

This opportunity is available to those who started work in 1986 or later, a time when it was clear to all that the hay day of the automotive industry was in the past.

Poor headline Gazette.

GM workers - I am so sorry to hear that you are in such a spot. It's hard to be forced into a change and be separated from your loved ones.

Some advice: go to realtor.com to find rental homes. Do research about what part of town is safest by getting the crime statistics from the city's web site or offices. Find something nice because it will be depressing enough to be away from home - you'll need it.

I know it would have been a move but why did these people not try to get a job with oshkosh corp last year when they hired 600 ppl? At least they would still be in WI and making good money.

"GM forcing workers to move to Ohio"

A false and misleading headline. Designed as newspapers usually design such headlines. To sell papers. Is it any wonder newspapers are dying ?

actually I want to buy gm, but my phone call to dealers and gm customer service makes it pretty hard. All my answer for the new Cruze was it will come out in the third quarter. When asked when the third quarter is GM stated later this year.

Rico's right, the government should have let GM go under, then there wouldn't be any transfers. All the feeder plants for those plants would close. All the dealerships would close.....
Dogs and Cats, living together, it would be anarchy

I just Googled that and on the site it says "no posts found". Other stories, but NOTHING on GM Janesville!

google this: gm janesville 700 electric.

Unbelievable!!! You have a job and you don't want to take it because it will be an inconvenience!?!? My dad was military and we move every couple of years...actually, I went to 4 different high schools. I am retired salaried GM. Over 33 years, I moved coast to coast; border to border; worked in several states and Canadian provinces; lived out of a suitcase for 3 1/2 years. I did so because it allowed me to provide for my family, maintain a quality life for them, and send 2 kids to college. Yeah, I didn't go bowling, play softball, and guzzle beer and watch sports with my buddies at some hole in wall. I scheduled whatever time I had to do things with my family and take college courses. Get a different mind set!

SG: Subpay is no where near 90-95% of wages. I'm not sure where the paper or anyone else gets this figure. Subpay is determined by the number of dependents you have on your health insurance. So a single person with no children gets significantly less than someone who is married with 3 children. When I worked for GM and received subpay I was married with 2 children and recieved about 75% of my regular pay. It also needs to be said that my personal retirement deposits were not being made either, so I was actually recieving less than 75% of my pay. Just to set everyone straight on that. This is still a great wage and I was very thankful for it and consider myself lucky for receiving it. I was not complaining, I'm just tired of everyone exaggerating the facts.

Rico- if this is true than WHY would anyone you wants autonomy decide to depend on the president by working at GM again? I don't follow you. GM folds because of the FREE MARKET. It is Obamafied and people get offers to work. And you are upset at what, exactly? Obama's failure to pay you your wage and benefits for producing NOTHING?

Could a story possibly be more slanted?

Well, I don't think so, but we'll see when the Annointed One runs for re-selection.

In case anyone doesn't know what SUB pay is, you file for unemployment, then the company and union make up the difference up to 90% of your pay. When I got it, way back when, it was actually a good bit more than my regular take-home pay.

Now THERE'S a big incentive to go out and find a job.

Rico, GM is now in a position to be adding another shift, which would suggest an increase in production and strength in the business. GM is also assisting in getting some of these laid off people back to work and off supplemental programs. Obama should truly be ashamed of himself….

just remember who owns gm now obamas government if you voted for him this is what you get

You do have a choice, the head lines are completely wrong and misleading. Sounds like some people still want the money and sit on their duff and do nothing. I worked at GM for years, when the plant shut down, my wife and I decided we were going to stay here. Yes I used money from the dislocated workers program and retrained and got another job making almost as much money as I did working for GM. I want to thank the people of Wisconsin for that also. I would have gone to school whether it was there or not, but I still thank the people of Wisconsin for the money for retraining. I work more than 40 hrs. per week, but the pay check is about the same. I had to go look for it and not sit on my duff doing nothing like I know some people did and are still doing. I know a lot of people who took transfers when they had choices to where they wanted to go. For the people who are going to cry about not have a choice, you had choices before and you still have choices now. I choose to stay here and believe me there is life after GM. BR549 I"ve known John Dohner Sr. when you were still in diapers and he does care more than any one can ever realize.

Forcing someone to do something against their will is against the law in this country. There is no forcing laid off GM workers to do anything. They simply have a choice to make, relocate to where the jobs are and keep GM benefits or stay put, lose your benefits; and remain unemployed for an unknown amount of time. I would think being able to provide for their family would take precendent over anything else.

"GM forcing workers to move to Ohio"
******
The title to this story could not be more false. No one, including GM is making anyone do anything they do not want to do. The reality is this, if you want to continue your employment with GM you will AGREE to move. If moving is not something you are interested in doing, you will AGREE to severe your ties with GM. Pretty simple.