CAW says 2,000 jobs could be lost as GM moves Impala to U.S. plant
Posted May 26, 2011 9:29 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OSHAWA, Ont. – Union leaders are worried up to 2,000 jobs will be lost at General Motors Canada after the automaker said it will move production of the popular Chevrolet Impala sedan from Oshawa to the U.S.
GM says it will start building the next-generation Malibu sedan and Impala in Detroit in late 2012 or early 2013.
That would add another 2,500 jobs to that plant while phasing out the Impala model and a production line in Oshawa.
Canadian Auto Workers officials said GM’s decision to partially shift Impala production south suggests the company is now intent on proceeding with a previous plan to close one of two assembly lines in Oshawa.
That could slash the current workforce of 4,200 workers on two lines to about 2,200 in one flexible manufacturing operation within the next few years.
The union says the move could also adversely affect parts suppliers in Ontario.
Tony LaRocca, communications director at GM Canada, says it is too early to speculate on the impact of the Impala decision on Oshawa operations.
