General Motors Archives - Tennessee Star

Automakers Lay Off More Workers as Strike Takes Its Toll

October 4, 2023October 3, 2023 Admin

Major automakers have laid off even more employees as union workers continue to strike at several manufacturing plants amid contract negotiations, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Ford and General Motors laid off an additional 500 workers this week, bringing the total number of workers that have lost their jobs at the companies to a combined 6,000 following a strike from the United Auto Workers (UAW), according to the WSJ. UAW is currently striking against Ford, GM and Stellantis at 43 manufacturing plants using a targeted strike strategy, with many workers remaining on the job as contract negotiations continue.

UAW Reaches ‘Tentative Agreement’ with Mack Trucks in Three States

October 2, 2023 The Center Square

The United Auto Worker’s Union has reached a “tentative agreement” on a new five-year agreement with the Volvo-Group-owned Mack Trucks in three states. The union posted on social media that nearly 4,000 UAW members at Mack Trucks in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida (UAW Region 8 & Region 9) have a tentative agreement.

Senator JD Vance Calls the Biden Administration’s EV Agenda a ‘Threat’ to the U.S. Auto Industry

September 20, 2023September 19, 2023 Hannah Poling

U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) said on Tuesday that President Joe Biden’s forced transition to electric vehicles (EV) threatens the bargaining power of the U.S. auto industry.

This follows the United Auto Workers (UAW), an American labor union, calling for a strike at the Big 3 U.S. automakers, General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, in Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio last week. The UAW is demanding shorter work weeks, restoration of defined benefit pensions, and stronger job security as automakers transition to electric vehicles.

Auto Union Threatens Even More Strikes If a Deal Isn’t Reached by End of Week

September 19, 2023September 19, 2023 Admin

More auto workers are set to go on strike against top auto manufacturers if a deal is not met by Friday at noon, according to an announcement from the union Monday night.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) are currently engaging in a targeted strike at just three plants in negotiations with the Big Three automakers — Ford, General Motors and Stellantis — avoiding a total strike of all 146,000 unionized workers after the parties failed to reach a deal for new contracts on Sept. 14. Shawn Fain, president of the UAW, announced that more members at different plants would join the strike if the union and automakers did not make serious progress on new contracts by Friday at noon, according to a video posted by the union.

Michigan Auto Worker: Want to Be Able to Afford the Vehicles We Build

September 17, 2023September 16, 2023 The Center Square

United Auto Workers striking along Michigan Avenue outside the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne since midnight want to be able to afford the vehicles they assemble.

The UAW went on strike against Ford, Stellantis and General Motors at select factories around midnight. Brandon Bell, who’s worked at the Ford plant for three years, said workers need boosted pay and benefits.

Autoworkers Strike Imperils ‘Union Joe’ Biden’s 2024 Election Prospects

September 16, 2023September 15, 2023 Admin

President Joe Biden may face headwinds in his 2024 reelection bid following his inability to prevent workers at the three biggest American auto manufacturers from striking, according to Politico.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) announced a strike Thursday night against the Big Three automakers — Ford, General Motors and Stellantis — saying that members would not be showing up to three plants on Friday, but stopping short of calling for all 146,000 unionized autoworkers to cease operations. Some have begun to place blame on the president for failing to help in negotiations, souring the president’s desired image of being “the most pro-union president you’ve ever seen,” according to Politico.

United Auto Workers Plans Strikes at Detroit Big Three Vehicle Manufacturers

September 15, 2023September 14, 2023 Just the News

The United Automobile Workers union is preparing to strike at Detroit’s Big Three vehicle manufacturers as contract negotiations remain strained ahead of the deadline just before midnight Thursday.

Union President Shawn Fain said Wednesday that General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, formerly known as Chrysler, increased initial wage offers while rejecting some other demands, The Associated Press reported.

Potential UAW Strike Looms in Michigan

September 12, 2023September 11, 2023 The Center Square

Up to 146,000 United Auto Workers could strike starting this week if the Big Three auto companies don’t reach a new union contract agreement by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday.

UAW Union President Shawn Fain has repeated his mantra “record profits mean record contracts.” He says Big Three executives at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis have received hefty pay raises while inflation has eaten away at UAW workers’ paychecks.

Jobs Data Conflicts with Whitmer’s Claim of ‘Securing’ 35,000 Auto Jobs

April 11, 2023April 10, 2023 The Center Square

In a video released Monday morning, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer touted Democrat’s accomplishments in their first 100 days of office.

She again claimed that she “secured” 35,000 auto jobs since 2019.

‘Sustainable’ Electric Cars Are Getting Junked Over Minor Damage

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023 Admin

Insurers are being forced to write off many electric vehicles with only minor damage to battery packs, sending the batteries to scrap yards and hindering the climate benefits of going electric, Reuters reported.

Battery packs typically represent roughly half the cost of an electric vehicle, sometimes costing tens of thousands of dollars, often making it more economical for insurers to consider a car as totalled than replace a battery pack, according to Reuters. While many carmakers, including Ford and GM, told Reuters that their battery packs were repairable, many are unwilling to share key data with third-party insurers to help assess damage.

General Motors to Offer Buyouts of U.S. Employees

March 13, 2023March 12, 2023 The Center Square

General Motors announced Thursday it’s offering voluntary buyouts to some salaried U.S. employees.

The automaker is looking to cut $2 billion in fixed costs by 2024 as the company transitions its manufacturing operations to produce electric vehicles.

General Motors Funds Transgender Programs in Elementary Schools

January 3, 2023January 2, 2023 Admin

General Motors (GM) gave a grant to an organization that supplies elementary schools with books promoting the transgender ideology.

The automotive manufacturing company donated money to the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s (GLSEN) “Rainbow Library Program,” according to a 2021 Social Impact Report published by GM.

Ultium Cells Announces $275 Million Expansion Project in Spring Hill

December 3, 2022December 2, 2022 Kaitlin Housler

Ultium Cells LLC officials recently announced that the company would invest $275 million to expand its in-progress battery cell manufacturing plant in Spring Hill. Ultium Cells is a joint venture of LG Energy Solution and General Motors that supplies battery cells for GM Ultium Platform-based electric vehicles.

Flint Buick City Site Redeveloper Seeks $15 Million from Taxpayers

October 30, 2022October 29, 2022 The Center Square

Taxpayers might foot $15 million for a private-public deal to redevelop the former Buick City brownfield site in Flint. The partnership hopes to create 3,000 jobs.

Real estate investment company Ashley Capital is contracted to purchase the 350-acre former Buick City site from Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response Trust and plans to develop an industrial park.

Michigan Supreme Court Orders Michigan Economic Development Corporation Reveal Every GM Subsidy

July 2, 2022July 1, 2022 The Center Square

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation must fully disclose the total value of taxpayer subsidies it has offered to General Motors, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled.

The court’s unanimous opinion in Sole v. MEDC held the MEDC must disclose, without redactions, the total amount of corporate subsidies promised to GM.

Commentary: President Biden Sides Against Union Rank-and-File

April 16, 2022April 15, 2022 RealClearWire

While rank-and-file union members embraced President Trump, virtually every major union endorsed Joe Biden. A quietly issued Labor Department regulation helps explain this disconnect. President Biden has put union leaders first — even at the expense of union members.

Late last year, the Labor Department rescinded Trump Administration union transparency regulations. These regulations would have required union trust funds — like apprenticeship funds and strike funds — to disclose their receipts and expenditures.

General Motors, MEDC Aim to Fool Michigan Taxpayers with Bait and Switch: Analyst

March 1, 2022February 28, 2022 The Center Square

General Motors (GM) garnered national headlines when it promised to invest $6.5 billion in Michigan, but the people negotiating the deal’s claw back provisions might only require GM meet half of that investment and 80% of the original job creation promise, despite taxpayers still footing an $824 million subsidy.

When in front of the press, GM and Michigan promised the factory would support 4,000 jobs and retain another 1,000 – a cost of about $206,000 per job created, and if it failed, Michigan could claw back a sizeable portion of that money.

General Motors Announces $7 Billion Investment for Electric Vehicle Manufacturing in Michigan

January 26, 2022January 25, 2022 Cooper Moran

Automobile maker General Motors on Tuesday announced a new, $7 billion investment in Michigan to expand manufacturing capacity for electric vehicles and batteries.

According to projections released by the company, the investment will create 4,000 new jobs, while retaining an additional 1,000.

Toyota Smashes GM’s 90-Year Streak as Top U.S. Car Seller

January 6, 2022January 5, 2022 Admin

Japanese automaker Toyota overtook General Motors in 2021 as the top car seller in the U.S., breaking the American manufacturer’s 90-year streak, Reuters reported.

Toyota sold 2.332 million vehicles, while GM sold 2.218 million, automakers said Tuesday, Reuters reported. GM’s dethroning marks the first time the Detroit company did not secure the most sales since it overtook Ford in 1931.

GM‘s sales were down 13% from the year before, in part due to the computer chip shortage that forced manufacturers to focus on their most popular models, Reuters reported. In contrast, Toyota was up 10% and is believed to have weathered the shortage better than others in the industry.

Commentary: Unions Aligning with America First

December 3, 2021December 2, 2021 RealClearWire

After intense negotiations, the United Auto Workers secured a new agreement with Ford, General Motors, and their suppliers that effectively prohibits a vaccine mandate for employees by requiring only “voluntary” disclosure of vaccination status for union members. This hard-won validation for workers points to a larger opportunity for the America First movement and organized labor to acknowledge that they are natural allies.

On critical issues ranging from medical privacy to border security and foreign trade, the emerging populist and nationalist consensus of the New Right creates an obvious home for unionized Americans. The America First cause can, in turn, help revitalize private-sector unions and guarantee a more prosperous society for our country, with a stronger middle class through a better diffusion of economic and political power.

Ultium Cells LLC Battery Cell Manufacturing Plant in Spring Hill Continues Construction

December 2, 2021December 1, 2021 Kaitlin Housler

Wednesday marked the beginning of steel construction at the new Ultium Cells LLC battery cell manufacturing plant in Spring Hill, according to a press release by Ultium Cells. The 2.8 million-square-foot facility will mass-produce battery cells for electric vehicles and create more than 1,300 new jobs for the region.

General Motors to Shut Down Production at Most North American Plants Due to Chip Shortage

September 4, 2021September 3, 2021 Admin

General Motors Baltimore Operations Plant Tour with Sec. Hilda Solis by Jay Baker at Baltimore, MD.

General Motors will shut down production at the majority of its North American plants for up to two weeks due to a worldwide chip shortage, the Detroit Free Press reported.

A fraction of GM plants will remain open to continue making its most profitable vehicles with the chips GM has on hand, according to Detroit Free Press. The lack of chips is a worsening problem, with surging COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia creating lasting issues for automakers.

“All the announcements we made today are related to the chips shortage, the only plant down that’s not related to that, is Orion Assembly,” GM spokesperson Dan Flores told Detroit Free Press, referring to the Chevy Bolt recall affecting the latter plant.

Big Three Automakers Reinstate Mask Mandates for All Workers

August 5, 2021August 4, 2021 Admin

America’s largest automobile manufacturers, along with United Auto Workers (UAW), will require all employees to wear masks again starting Wednesday.

The decision was made by a COVID-19 task force comprised of health officials from UAW, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, which manufactures Dodge and Chrysler vehicles. All workers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, have to wear masks at plants, office buildings, and warehouses, UAW announced in a statement Tuesday.

Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles Talks Booming Growth Ignited by Manufacturing Industry in the County

July 21, 2021July 20, 2021 Julie Carr

Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Mayor Andy Ogles in studio to discuss the economic growth initiated by manufacturing and automotive distribution in Maury County.

GM Promises to Build Two More Battery Factories in the U.S. in Electric Vehicle Push

June 17, 2021June 16, 2021 Admin

General Motors announced in a press release Monday that it would invest $35 billion in electric vehicles through 2025, including the construction of two U.S. battery factories.

Project to Fund Electric Car-Charging Stations in Tennessee Will Cost $20 Million

February 4, 2021February 3, 2021 Chris Butler

Officials with The Tennessee Valley Authority and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced Wednesday they will develop more electric car-charging stations in the state, at an anticipated cost of $20 million. TDEC and TVA officials said in a press release that to get the money they “will leverage various funding sources.”

Tennessee Government Officials Want Funding for More Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

February 3, 2021February 2, 2021 Chris Butler

Officials with the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation are scheduled to unveil a plan Wednesday to develop and fund more charging networks across the state to power electric vehicles. The Tennessee Star on Tuesday asked officials with both agencies if enough Tennessee residents are driving electric vehicles to justify investing public resources into this infrastructure.

Largest U.S. Automaker General Motors Plans to be Carbon Neutral by 2040

January 30, 2021January 29, 2021 Admin

General Motors announced that it plans to eliminate emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035 and go completely carbon neutral by 2040.

General Motors (GM), the largest automaker in the U.S., announced plans Thursday to go completely carbon neutral globally and produce an all-electric lineup of vehicles by 2040, according to a press release. GM also joined fellow U.S. automaker Ford Motor Company and more than 380 other companies, signing onto the United Nations (UN) “Business Ambition for 1.5 C” climate petition.

Tennessee Board Approves $35M Grant to Retrain GM’s Spring Hill Employees as Part of $2B Deal to Produce Electric Cadillac Vehicles

November 25, 2020November 24, 2020 Jason M. Reynolds

A state board on Tuesday approved a $35 million jobs training grant to encourage General Motors to retain workers at its Spring Hill plant as the company looks to invest approximately $2 billion to produce electric vehicles, including the Cadillac LYRIQ.

The State Funding Board approved the FastTrack Job Training Assistance Grant. More information is available here.

General Motors Says It Will Invest $2 Billion in Spring Hill Plant

October 21, 2020October 20, 2020 Chris Butler

General Motors will invest nearly $2 billion in its Spring Hill manufacturing plant, in Maury County, to build fully electric vehicles, including the all-new, luxury Cadillac LYRIQ.

This, according to a press release that Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) officials posted on their website Tuesday.

Ohio, General Motors Reach Deal on Failed Tax Incentives in Lordstown

September 30, 2020September 29, 2020 Admin

General Motors must repay $28 million in tax credits and invest $12 million in the Mahoning Valley following its closure of its Lordstown assembly place, the Ohio Development Services Agency said Monday.

GM received $60.3 million in tax credits in exchange for a commitment to retain 3,700 employees in Lordstown. The company closed the plant and did not maintain its commitment to retain the jobs through 2028.

AG Yost Submits Brief Asking GM to Give Back Its $60 Million State Tax Credits After Breaking Agreement by Closing Lordstown Plant

July 2, 2020July 1, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost submitted a brief to the Ohio Tax Credit Authority that demanded General Motors (GM) repay $60 million the company received in state tax credits after breaking its promise to Ohio and the Mahoning Valley.

Eleven years ago, GM started collecting tax credits for its Lordstown plant. In exchange for its tax credits, the auto giant said it would maintain Lordstown plant operations till 2028 and retain 3,700 jobs through 2040, according to Yost’s press release.

General Motors’ Spring Hill Plant to Temporarily Suspend Production

March 19, 2020March 18, 2020 Chris Butler

General Motors’ officials said Wednesday that they will suspend manufacturing operations in North America, including their Spring Hill location, due to market conditions, to deep clean facilities and to protect people.

General Motors Announces 1,200 News Jobs at Lansing Plants

March 1, 2020February 29, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

General Motors announced Friday that it is adding more than 1,200 new jobs at its Lansing-based factories to help with the production of mid-size SUVs and two new Cadillac sedans.

Former Senior UAW Official Sentenced to 28 Months in Prison for Taking $1.5 Million in Bribes

February 23, 2020February 22, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A former high-level official in the United Auto Workers’ (UAW) General Motors Department was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison last week for taking more than $1.5 million in bribes and kickbacks.

Lordstown Motors Planning to Use $200 Million Federal Grant to Help With Production

February 6, 2020February 5, 2020 Admin

Lordstown Motors plans to use a $200 million U.S. Department of Energy loan to update a former General Motors plant in Northeast Ohio.

General Motors and LG Chemical Reveal Site for their New Electric Battery Cell Plant in Ohio

January 17, 2020January 16, 2020 Zachery Schmidt

General Motors (GM) and LG Chemical announced this week they will build their new electric battery cell plant right next to the old GM Lordstown assembly plant that closed last year.

Former UAW Vice President Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribes and Kickbacks

December 9, 2019December 8, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Former UAW Vice President Joe Ashton pleaded guilty last week to taking bribes and kickbacks from UAW vendors and conspiring to launder the proceeds of the scheme.

Spring Hill UAW Workers Narrowly Defeat Proposed Contract in National Vote

October 23, 2019October 22, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

United Auto Workers at General Motors’ Spring Hill plant narrowly defeated by 51 percent-49 percent a proposed national agreement for a new contract, the UAW Chapter 1853 announced Monday.

Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles Describes the Conditions of Spring Hill Strike After General Motors CEO Abruptly Cuts Off Employees Healthcare Without Notice

September 20, 2019September 20, 2019 Julie Carr

On Thursday’s Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 am to 8:00 am – Leahy welcomed Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles to the show to speak on the recent UAW strike at General Motors in Spring Hill, Tennessee. GM CEO, Mary Barra abruptly cut healthcare benefits to their employees sparking an emotional demonstration that required local law enforcement to make arrests.

Law Enforcement Arrests Nearly 10 People Involved in Spring Hill GM Strike

September 19, 2019September 18, 2019 Chris Butler

Law enforcement officials arrested nearly 10 people involved in the United Auto Workers strike in Spring Hill Wednesday, apparently because they disregard police instructions.

United Auto Workers Calls National Strike Against General Motors

September 16, 2019September 16, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The United Auto Workers announced Sunday that local union leaders from across the country voted to go on strike after its collective bargaining agreement with General Motors expired Saturday night.

Michigan Workers Prepare for Another Factory Close Next Month As Dems Set Sights on Key Voters

June 29, 2019June 28, 2019 Admin

by Audrey Conklin Another auto plant in Warren, Michigan, that has been operating since 1958 is preparing to close in a little over a month, ending 261 jobs. The 261 hourly workers who will lose their jobs at the 2.1-million-square-foot General Motors factory build car transmissions. GM announced the…

Trump Announces New Occupant for Lordstown Plant

May 9, 2019May 8, 2019 Mitch Shirley

President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday that he spoke with General Motors CEO Mary Barra, who said GM will sell the vacant Lordstown factory to Workhorse, an electric truck manufacturer. The president also mentioned that GM is going to invest $700 million into three separate locations in Ohio. Trump expressed his support…

Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.4 Percent from February to March

April 22, 2019April 21, 2019 Mitch Shirley

Ohio’s state unemployment rate is at an 18 year low even after General Motors closing down its Lordstown factory. The Buckeye state’s unemployment dropped from 4.6 percent in February to 4.4 percent in March. The last time Ohio’s unemployment reached 4.4 percent back was in August of 2001. Despite this…

Bernie Sanders Calls on Trump to End Federal Contracts for GM During Lordstown Campaign Stop

April 15, 2019April 14, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) stopped in Lordstown, Ohio Sunday afternoon during his campaign swing through key battleground states, including Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. “Together, we are going to make sure that does not happen again. We’re going to win here in Wisconsin. We’re going to win in Indiana, We’re…

Congressman Ryan Slams GM for Displaying Foreign-Made Car on Opening Day

March 30, 2019March 29, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

General Motors is taking some heat after it decided to display a foreign-made car in center field of Comerica Park ahead of the Detroit Tigers’ home opener. Cranes were spotted lifting a 2019 Chevrolet Blazer RS onto an outfield display on Tuesday. Chevrolet is owned by General Motors, and its…

Beto Slams Trump Over Lordstown Comments During Visit to Ohio

March 24, 2019March 23, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

During his recent visit to Ohio, 2020 Democratic hopeful Beto O’Rourke slammed President Donald Trump for his criticisms of Lordstown union leader David Green. Green is president of United Auto Workers Local 1112, which represents the workers at Lordstown’s General Motors plant. After the plant was unallocated earlier this month,…

GM Announces Jobs, Electric Vehicle After Trump Criticism

March 23, 2019March 22, 2019 Admin

Less than a week after a series of critical tweets from the president over an Ohio plant closure, General Motors is announcing plans to add 400 jobs and build a new electric vehicle at a factory north of Detroit. The company says it will spend $300 million at its plant…

Lordstown Union Leader: ‘President Trump Didn’t Unallocate Our Location Here, General Motors Did’

March 22, 2019March 21, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The union leader for Lordstown, Ohio’s General Motors plant is speaking out after being called out by name by President Donald Trump over the weekend. The General Motors plant was officially “unallocated” earlier this month, meaning it’s not yet closed, but isn’t producing any cars. In a Sunday tweet, Trump…