GM Adds New Shift, New Jobs In Flint

by Jeff Gilbert
WWJ AutoBeat Reporter

General Motors confirming that it's adding a third shift at it's Flint Assembly plant, starting in the third quarter of this year. It will add 750 more jobs, at a company that, only two years ago was shedding thousands of workers.

"We didn't know if we'd have a company or not," said Dana Rouse, shop chairman at UAW Local 598. "Look, in less than two years, look where we are today."

Flint Assembly built 115 thousand pickup trucks in 2010, many of them new heavy duty GMC Sierra's and Chevy Silverado's. GM North America President Mark Reuss says there's been strong demand for the vehicle, at a time when the economy is picking up.

"The popularity of that here demonstrated over the last few months is showing that we need it,' Reuss told WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert. "I personally think that the economy and new housing starts and some of the construction that's going on is driving some of that. "

The 750 new jobs to be added in Flint will mostly come from workers who are on layoff. Some others, who had been transferred to other GM plants, will be allowed to transfer back to Flint. That, Reuss says, will create opportunities at other GM facilities.

"When you start brining somebody back and it creates holes. We're going to see some good things happen."

Reuss would not comment on GM's plans to add new "second tier" workers at an entry level wage that's roughly half of what current workers make. GM will be using a lot of "second tier" workers to staff its Orion plant, which will be re-opened later this year to build small cars.

At Flint, which has been particularly hard hit by the auto industry's downturn, workers were very eager to see new jobs added.

"I think it's great," said worker Gene Morrison. "It'll bring a lot more people back to work. Obviously, they must have demand for the trucks, which is good, too."

But Morrison, who's worked for General Motors for 28 years has seen strong pickup sales fall off with rising gasoline prices.

"I'm worried about gas prices," he said. "I'm worried about inflation causing everything to go up in price, especially fuel. That could hurt the truck sales."

Analysts, however, say that heavy duty pickup trucks are mostly used for work, and are less likely to be impacted by a relatively modest increase in gasoline prices.

Michigan's new governor, Rick Snyder, was at the ceremony, saying that he wanted workers to know that he has no plans to back off on support of Michigan's auto industry.

"The auto industry has great opportunity," said Snyder. "They've gone through their restructuring. Now, let's make sure they continue that positive path, by having a great enviornment for them to succeed."

And, at Flint Assembly, which built its 3 millionth vehicle last summer, union chairman
Dana Rouse feels the future is bright.

"The third shift is just the start. We've got some other irons in the fire. We're not done. We're not done at all."

Follow Jeff Gilbert on Twitter @Jefferygilbert