Much must happen before GM returns to Janesville
By JIM LEUTE - Thursday, May 12, 2011
JANESVILLE --
When General Motors laid out aggressive expansion plans Tuesday, speculation again turned to Janesville, where the automaker shuttered its 4.8 million-square-foot plant in 2009.
Spring Hill plant expected to get engine-building nod
By ASSOCIATED PRESS AND GAZETTE STAFF - Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010
CHATTANOOGA, TENN. -- General Motors plans to recall about 400 idled union workers to its plant at Spring Hill to build four-cylinder engines for its mid-size crossover vehicles, an official said Tuesday.
Odds against Janesville GM plant
By GAZETTE STAFF - Friday, Aug. 6, 2010
JANESVILLE --
Standby factory could reopen, chairman says
GM could reactivate standby plant
By BETH WHEELOCK - Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010
The company could also choose to reactivate the plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee.
Former GMers face transfer deadlines
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, May 11, 2010
JANESVILLE --
The clock is ticking for more than 100 laid-off employees at the General Motors plant in Janesville who recently were offered jobs at the automaker’s facility in Lordstown, Ohio.
Reopening GM plant still a longshot
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010
JANESVILLE --
Despite recent comments by GM North American President Mark Reuss, industry observers say talk of reopening a plant in Janesville or Spring Hill, Tenn., is wildly premature.
More Janesville GM workers get jobs in Fort Wayne
By JIM LEUTE - Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010
JANESVILLE --
Nearly 70 more displaced General Motors' employees in Janesville will soon be back on the line.
Life after GM
By ANNA MARIE LUX - Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009
JANESVILLE --
Ex-auto industry workers return to school for new careers
Small city in Missouri is one family’s destination for starting a new life
By ANNA MARIE LUX - Monday, Dec. 21, 2009
SMITHVILLE, MO. --
Vaughn Gilson, 46, started at the Fairfax plant in July. Today, the Gilsons rent a split-level duplex, decorated with a fresh Christmas tree, in the quiet community of Smithville, Mo.
Displaced GM workers getting accustomed to long commute
By ANNA MARIE LUX - Monday, Dec. 21, 2009
JANESVILLE --
In the last 12 months, the Brennans have learned how to adapt to a life they never dreamed they would be living.
Benefits will end in 2010 for many ex-autoworkers
By JIM LEUTE - Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009
JANESVILLE --
When the benefits run dry, the local economy will be really parched. That's been the refrain since General Motors announced in 2008 it would first trim and then end production at its storied Janesville assembly plant.
City braces for impact when cushions go away
By JIM LEUTE - Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009
Sweeping layoffs fueled by the demise of the local automotive manufacturing sector made a challenging economy even more difficult in 2009.
Ex-GM workers asked to repay benefits
By JIM LEUTE - Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Several hundred laid off General Motors employees in the Janesville area have been asked to repay overpayments in Supplemental Unemployment Benefits they received earlier this year.
Fewer and fewer GM workers remain in Janesville
By JIM LEUTE - Friday, Oct. 23, 2009
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.
Union concessions big part of $409 million incentive package in failed bid
By JIM LEUTE - Monday, Sept. 14, 2009
JANESVILLE --
Concessions by United Auto Workers Local 95 accounted for more than half of the state's $409 million incentive package that failed to convince General Motors to park small car production at its shuttered Janesville plant.
Workers getting by, but benefits will end
By TED SULLIVAN - Monday, Aug. 10, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Collecting unemployment and spending less helps the couple get by, but about 360 Lear and 132 LSI workers laid off in July 2008 could lose their unemployment checks in a couple weeks.
Control of GM site is key to redevelopment
By JIM LEUTE - Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009
JANESVILLE --
When it comes to any redevelopment of the shuttered General Motors property in Janesville, the challenges are enormous and a final decision ultimately will come from Detroit.
Filmmaker to look at life after GM
By STACY VOGEL - Tuesday, July 28, 2009
JANESVILLE --
Reporters from across the country descended on Janesville when General Motors ended production here in December.
Janesville workers take GM buyout
By JIM LEUTE - Friday, July 24, 2009
JANESVILLE --
More than 200 workers at the General Motors assembly plant in Janesville met Thursday’s deadline to take up the automaker on its latest early retirement/buyout program.
Jobs are good for laid-off GM workers, but exodus is bad for city
By JIM LEUTE - Wednesday, July 15, 2009
JANESVILLE -- About 170 laid-off General Motors' workers in the Janesville area could be back on the job as early as Monday in Kansas City, Kan.
$195 million not enough for GM to return to Janesville
By GINA DUWE By MARCIA NELESEN - Wednesday, July 8, 2009
JANESVILLE --
The $195 million package Wisconsin offered to GM wasn't as sweet as the $779 million offered by Michigan, which won the contest to build GM's new small car.
$2.3 million grant to help displaced autoworkers in Rock County
By BETH WHEELOCK - Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The funds are the second installment of a National Emergency Grant.
Retirees flooding dental and vision offices as benefits run out
By STACY VOGEL - Sunday, June 28, 2009
JANESVILLE --
Local dental and vision offices are booked solid as GM retirees rush to get in one last check-up before losing vision and dental benefits July 1.
Janesville area residents react to GM decision
By KATHLEEN FOODY - Friday, June 26, 2009
Many were saddened by the news but said they expected Michigan would become home to the small-car plant.
Officials wait to comment on GM annoucement
By GAZETTE STAFF - Friday, June 26, 2009
JANESVILLE -- State and local officials had few comments Thursday about the reported decision by General Motors to build a small car in Orion, Mich., rather than Janesville.
Janesville area businesses look for support after GM decision
By GAZETTE STAFF - Friday, June 26, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Verna Saladino, president of the Rock-Green Realtors Association, said she wished GM reopened the plant.
GM confirms plans to produce small car in Michigan
By ASSOCIATED PRESS - Friday, June 26, 2009
JANESVILLE --
The oldest plant in the General Motors Corp. family faces an uncertain future after the automaker decided against bringing new production to the recently shuttered facility.
Janesville GM plant will not get new product
By JIM LEUTE - Thursday, June 25, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Six months after ending sport-utility vehicle production in Janesville, General Motors is poised to deliver what could be the knockout blow to its Janesville assembly plant when it awards production of a new line of small cars to a Michigan plant.
GM moves draw away children, families
By FRANK SCHULTZ - Saturday, June 20, 2009
JANESVILLE --
Twenty-one families responding to a survey by United Auto Workers Local 95 say they plan to leave the area by this fall.
Legislators hope tax credits sway GM
By JIM LEUTE - Friday, June 19, 2009
JANESVILLE -- When the final state budget—a marriage of Senate and Assembly versions—comes up for a vote, Robson said she will vote on two tax breaks to help GM.
Officials give GM ‘personal touch’
By JIM LEUTE - Thursday, June 18, 2009
JANESVILLE -- While protocol called for e-mails, Wisconsin officials believed a personal touch was the best way to present their proposal to General Motors officials Tuesday.
GM stockholders 'wiped out'
By JIM LEUTE - Friday, June 12, 2009
JANESVILLE -- If they’re lucky, current shareholders might get through the bankruptcy with a 1 percent stake in the “new GM,” according to financial analysts.
What can Janesville offer GM?
By FRANK SCHULTZ - Thursday, June 11, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Wisconsin's federal delegation has met with top GM brass to make the case for Janesville as the site for production of the automaker's new small car.
Wisconsin Congressional delegation to meet with GM officials
By BETH WHEELOCK - Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The meeting will help make the case for retooling the Janesville plant.
Where does Janesville GM plant rank?
By JIM LEUTE - Sunday, June 7, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Proximity to suppliers, physical layout and the quality of the local workforce are attributes General Motors officials will consider when deciding which of its idled plants will build a small car new to the U.S. market.
Three plants in running for small car production
By FRANK SCHULTZ - Tuesday, June 2, 2009
JANESVILLE --
The chances of Janesville’s General Motors plant producing cars again just went up.
Janesville is on "right side" of GM bankruptcy
By BETH WHEELOCK - Monday, June 1, 2009
Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan says state and local leaders are working to enhance Janesville's chances for a new line.
UAW Local 95 ratifies pact with GM
By JIM LEUTE - Thursday, May 28, 2009
JANESVILLE -- The message that came out of the union hall on Wednesday was clear: United Auto Workers Local 95 members are concerned.
GM pact gives hope for shuttered facilities
By JIM LEUTE - Wednesday, May 27, 2009
JANESVILLE -- If General Motors can successfully reorganize or emerge from a likely bankruptcy, the automaker has agreed to use one of its idled plants to build small cars that it isn't producing anywhere else in the United States.
Hope remains for GM plant
By JIM LEUTE - Wednesday, April 22, 2009
JANESVILLE -- The General Motors assembly plant in Janesville is one of the automaker's biggest and oldest, two factors that some analysts have said explain why it soon will be a facility without a product.
GM plant stuck in neutral
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, April 21, 2009
JANESVILLE --
Sell it, donate it or redevelop it. Those are the three strategies General Motors typically uses to dispose of an assembly plant it no longer needs.
Thursday is last day of production as Isuzu line comes to end
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, April 21, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Exactly four months after General Motors ended sport utility vehicle production in Janesville, the automaker will shut down its medium-duty assembly line.
Janesville workers take up buyout offer
By JIM LEUTE - Friday, March 27, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Roughly one-third of the laid-off General Motors workers in Janesville have elected to leave the automaker under a special attrition program.
GM down, but not out
By TED SULLIVAN - Saturday, March 21, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Local officials claim Janesville still has an outside shot at General Motors reopening the plant, despite GM Chairman Rick Wagoner’s comments saying otherwise.
Is this GM's final 'no'?
By GINA DUWE - Wednesday, March 18, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Was General Motors Chairman Rick Wagoner's "no" the final no for Janesville? That's the question local leaders have been trying to answer since being caught off guard Tuesday by Wagoner's comments about the future of the Janesville assembly plant.
Local leaders surprised by Wagoner's comments
By BETH WHEELOCK - Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wagoner's comments appear to contradict GM's instructions to a local task force.
Rock County schools receive supplies from Janesville GM plant
By BETH WHEELOCK - Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The office supplies are donated by General Motors and UAW.
Benefits extensions help area residents
By JIM LEUTE - Friday, March 6, 2009
JANESVILLE -- It used to be that dislocated workers could collect unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks. But a troubled state economy and thousands of resulting layoffs have triggered a series of extensions that now make most displaced workers eligible for up to 59 weeks of traditional unemployment benefits.
Local jobless rate soars
By JIM LEUTE - Friday, March 6, 2009
JANESVILLE -- All the local auto industry layoffs have been counted, and the results solidify the Janesville-Beloit area's position at the top of the state's unemployment list. It's a spot the area is not likely to relinquish any time soon, local observers predicted.
Raffle of last Janesville-built Tahoe pushes United Way past goal
By SHELLY BIRKELO - Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009
JANESVILLE --
Despite the sour economy, the United Way of North Rock County exceeded its 2008 campaign goal by more than 11 percent, raising more than $1.5 million.
Doyle eyes uses for GM plant
By GAZETTE STAFF - Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Gov. Jim Doyle said Wednesday that the idle General Motors plant in Janesville could be a possible manufacturing site for passenger rail cars.
Retired GM worker wins the last Tahoe off the line
By JIM LEUTE By STACY VOGEL - Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009
JANESVILLE --
And the winner is... Gerald Kinderman of Janesville. He was drawn this morning as the winner of the last sport-utility vehicle built in Janesville.
GM plant's last day finalized
By JIM LEUTE - Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009
JANESVILLE -- General Motors will end medium-duty truck production in Janesville on April 23, four months to the day after the plant stopped building full-size sport utility vehicles.
Group hopes funds help retain GM
By JIM LEUTE - Friday, Feb. 13, 2009
JANESVILLE -- A task force hopes that a slice of the $789 billion federal economic stimulus bill can be driven into efforts to keep General Motors in Janesville.
Business sought for Lear building
By JIM LEUTE - Friday, Feb. 13, 2009
JANESVILLE --
A local businessman hopes to help fill the void created by the recent departure of Lear Corp. and the hundreds of people it once employed to supply the local General Motors plant.
Anniversary of Obama's visit to Janesville
By BETH WHEELOCK - Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009
What a difference a year makes.
GM offers buyout to laid-off workers
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009
JANESVILLE -- Cash and a car. That's the gist of the latest General Motors cost-cutting offer to its 62,000 hourly employees, including the 2,000 or so laid off from its assembly plant in Janesville.
Workers on Isuzu line keep building medium-duty trucks
By JIM LEUTE - Monday, Feb. 2, 2009
JANESVILLE --
Full-size sport utility vehicle production has ended at the local General Motors plant, but medium-duty truck production is continuing-not starting-in Janesville.
GM to end 'jobs bank' Monday
By ASSOCIATED PRESS AND GAZETTE STAFF - Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009
NEW YORK --
General Motors said Wednesday that its "jobs bank" program will end Monday, affecting thousands for former Janesville GM plant employees.
GM's SUV numbers continue to tumble
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009
JANESVILLE --
While General Motors officials talked up their overall sales performance for December, the full-size sport utility numbers released Monday seem to put an exclamation point on automaker's decision to end production in Janesville.
Memories will linger after GM’s gone
By GINA DUWE - Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008
JANESVILLE -- Local residents share their memories of the GM plant.
Hope, friendship prevail at appreciation gathering
By STACY VOGEL - Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008
JANESVILLE --
Autoworkers stay upbeat, look to future
Life after GM
By STEVE BENTON - Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008
ROCK COUNTY --
Beloit's city manager looks at Rock County's future without General Motors.
Goodbye...and thanks
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008
JANESVILLE --
With three white sport utility vehicles immediately preceding it, the Chevy Tahoe snaked its way down the assembly line with a wave of workers and well-wishers in tow.
Amid tears, there is hope for the future
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008
JANESVILLE -- However slim it might be, there's still hope that today wasn't the last day of significant production at the General Motors assembly plant in Janesville.
End of SUV production came 204 days after announcement
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008
JANESVILLE -- General Motors announced June 3 that it would end sport utility production in Janesville by the end of 2010 at the latest. The end of 2010 was 942 days and more than 130 paychecks down the road.
How long until GM disassembles plant?
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008
JANESVILLE --
After today's somber departure of workers from the General Motors assembly plant, don't look for the sudden arrival of moving trucks, demolition equipment or a buyer for the sprawling property.
Journalists venture into cold to document day
By ANN MARIE AMES - Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008
JANESVILLE --
A small group of dedicated journalists braved the cold to cover the last scheduled day of sport utility vehicle production at Janesville's General Motors plant.
UAW members gather for the end of production
By BETH WHEELOCK - Monday, Dec. 22, 2008
UAW Local 95's Shop Chair says the workers are all in it together.
Running on empty: Workers face future with few benefits
By STACY VOGEL - Monday, Dec. 22, 2008
JANESVILLE --
This week, about 2,000 workers will be unemployed as GM, Lear Corp., LSI and other auto suppliers that shut down or cut back operations in Janesville.
Through the years: Chronicling the history of GM in Janesville
By GAZETTE STAFF - Monday, Dec. 22, 2008
JANESVILLE -- Samsons to Suburbans. Tractors to trucks. Both are fitting headlines for the nearly 90 years of production in the General Motors plant on Janesville’s south side.
A little bit of Samson remains at plant
By GAZETTE STAFF - Monday, Dec. 22, 2008
JANESVILLE --
Bulldog logo watches high above plant floor
GM's impact felt throughout Janesville
By JIM LEUTE - Monday, Dec. 22, 2008
JANESVILLE --
It’s often been said that as General Motors goes, so goes the United States or so goes Wisconsin. While that may be debatable, there’s no question about the automaker's impact on Rock County and Janesville.
Union presidents weigh in on GM legacy
By JIM LEUTE - Monday, Dec. 22, 2008
JANESVILLE -- While the famous sit-down strike of 1937 may have launched the United Auto Workers in Janesville, the seven decades of hard work since are responsible for the well being of union members, General Motors and the community as a whole.
2008: A look back at a tough year
By JIM LEUTE - Monday, Dec. 22, 2008
JANESVILLE --
As it turns out, a General Motors executive’s comments in February should have been interpreted from the half-empty—not the half-full—perspective.
Sit-down makes GM sit up and take notice
By GAZETTE STAFF - Monday, Dec. 22, 2008
JANESVILLE --
Workers make history during ’37 work stoppage
Craig's tractor deal still has Janesville trucking
By GAZETTE STAFF - Monday, Dec. 22, 2008
JANESVILLE --
Effort to woo and keep automaker helped build city
Preparing for the last day of SUV production at GM
By BETH WHEELOCK - Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008
A spokeswoman says it will be an emotional time for workers and their families.
UAW/GM Food Drive is about helping, not mourning
By STACY VOGEL - Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008
JANESVILLE --
In many ways, it was a typical UAW/GM Food Drive, if bagging groceries for 350 families in about half an hour can ever be called typical.
A family affair: Working at GM was practically an inheritance for many
By ANNA MARIE LUX - Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008
For one Milton family, a connection to "the plant" and so many memories.
GM security, police ready for last day of SUV production
By TED SULLIVAN - Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008
JANESVILLE -- Janesville police and General Motors security will be ready if they're needed when sport utility vehicle production ends Tuesday.
GM plant is big consumer; loss will be felt all over
By KAYLA BUNGE - Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008
JANESVILLE -- Autoworkers aren't the only ones who'll be feeling the end of sport-utility vehicle production at the General Motors plant in Janesville.
Anxiety sets in about GM plant
By FRANK SCHULTZ - Friday, Dec. 19, 2008
JANESVILLE -- The loss of more than 2,000 jobs at General Motors and its suppliers as the SUV line shuts down Tuesday is enough to stress just about everyone.
Neighbors of GM plant prepare for sudden quiet
By SHELLY BIRKELO - Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008
JANESVILLE --
It's never easy saying goodbye to a good neighbor. But the hope is for a new neighbor who will take pride in their property, be friendly and care about others in the neighborhood.
'Convenient' stores face future without regular GM customers
By SHELLY BIRKELO - Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008
JANESVILLE --
When more than 1,200 workers at General Motors walk out of the assembly plant for the last time Tuesday it will forever change the neighborhood business community.
Forward with faith
By CATHERINE IDZERDA - Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008
JANESVILLE --
The bishop of the Madison diocese visits Janesville for "A Mass in Time of Need" to offer hope and support for those affected by the GM shutdown.
Fagan official positive about dealership's future
By STACY VOGEL - Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008
JANESVILLE --
The co-owner of Janesville's Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership admits to being concerned but says the company is prepared to ride out the storm.
Defeat of bailout frustrates UAW members
By JIM LEUTE - Friday, Dec. 12, 2008
JANESVILLE --
Thursday's defeat of the auto bailout package in the Senate has frustrated some Janesville union members contacted this morning.
Plant, UAW 95 donating last truck to United Way raffle
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008
JANESVILLE --
GM and the UAW make plans for the last Janesville-made SUV, and those plans could benefit many people in the community.
Oak Ridge Boys donate concert tickets
By GAZETTE STAFF - Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008
Members of The Oak Ridge Boys donated 500 free tickets to its Wednesday concert in Rockford, Ill., after they heard local autoworkers here soon will be laid off, especially so near to Christmas.
Local GM plant still hoping for new product
By JIM LEUTE - Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008
JANESVILLE -- As General Motors requests a lifesaving infusion of cash from Congress, it's still holding the door open to a proposal to manufacture a new product in Janesville.
Most workers not happy about elimination of JOBS Bank
By STACY VOGEL - Friday, Dec. 5, 2008
JANESVILLE -- Opinions were mixed among Janesville plant workers about a possible elimination of the Job Opportunity Bank-Security, or JOBS Bank, program.
UAW OKs concessions
By JIM LEUTE - Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008
JANESVILLE --
Eliminating an income protection program for laid-off General Motors workers would cut by nearly 70 percent the length of time displaced autoworkers in Janesville collect wages and benefits.
GM bankruptcy could hurt local retirees, employees
By STACY VOGEL - Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008
JANESVILLE -- A GM bankruptcy could have a big effect on those people and the community in general, despite the probable closing of the Janesville plant, experts said.
Foreign journalists focus on Janesville
By FRANK SCHULTZ - Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008
JANESVILLE -- The impending end of SUV production here, throwing hundreds out of work, has caught the attention of news organizations from Europe, the Far East and the Middle East.
Local GM workers hope for a bailout
By FRANK SCHULTZ - Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008
JANESVILLE -- Workers at the Janesville GM plant maintain hope the company will not only remain solvent, but will also find a way to keep the local plant from closing in December.
Last look at the line
By CATHERINE IDZERDA - Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008
JANESVILLE --
In a few weeks, the light boards will go dark. The GM assembly plant will fall silent for the first time in nearly 100 years.
Janesville-made SUVs plunge more than 70 percent
By JIM LEUTE - Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008
JANESVILLE -- As if General Motors' officials needed any more data, October sales of the full-size sport utility vehicles built in Janesville seem to confirm that the automaker doesn't need two plants to produce the big trucks.
Brodhead company announces layoffs
By GAZETTE STAFF - Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
BRODHEAD -- Woodbridge Group, a supplier to the General Motors plant in Janesville, has notified the state that it will lay off 70 workers.
Allied plans to lay off 117 employees
By GAZETTE STAFF - Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008
JANESVILLE -- A company that trucks new sport utility vehicles out of Janesville has fallen in line with General Motors and other local suppliers and will lay off employees in December.
