Currents News Staff
General Motors is taking major steps to restructure its organization – and it will come at the cost of many of its workers.
On Monday, the motor vehicle giant announced it will cut 15 percent of its salaried workforce. That’s about eight thousand people, and thousands of hourly workers will either lose their jobs or be reassigned.
The move is part of a broader shift to new technologies and away from traditional car production – underscored by the company’s new motto, “zero crashes, zero emissions, zero congestion.”
In a statement, GM CEO Mary Barra said, quote:
“The actions we are taking today continue our transformation to be highly agile, resilient and profitable, while giving us the flexibility to invest in the future.”
Shortly after the announcement, President Trump expressed his disappointment over GM’s move.
“We’ve made our position known and we aren’t happy about it. I said you know, this country’s done a lot for General Motors. You better get back in there soon,” said Trump.
GM’s Oshawa assembly plant in Ontario is one of five North American facilities that will shut production.
“They come to work every day and make General Motors a lot of money. They’re the best workers in the industry, they’re the best workers in General Motors, and this is the reward they get,” said Greg Moffat, Plant Chair, Unifor.
The other four plants are located in Detroit, Michigan, Warren, Ohio, White Marsh, Maryland, and Warren, Michigan.
GM says the plan will save the company 6 billion dollars by the end of 2020.