IUE-CWA Will Fight to Save Moraine, Ohio, GM Plant

Blaming weak sales of sport utility vehicles, General Motors this week announced plans to close the IUE-CWA-represented plant in Moraine, Ohio, along with three other plant shutdowns, prompting the union to declare that the workers and the community are victims of GM's "failure in reading the U.S. automotive market and securing future product for our facility."

IUE-CWA President Jim Clark said in a statement that the union "will work as hard as possible and reach out to all potential allies to try to save the plant" by convincing GM to bring new auto production lines to the facility.  "If GM still wants to make an excellent product at a profit in the United States, we can do it in Moraine," he said.

IUE-CWA represents 2,500 workers at the suburban Dayton plant, which manufactures several lines of SUVs.

"Through unprecedented work rule flexibility and an unmatched commitment to quality, the workers at (Moraine) have consistently delivered a profitable product," Clark noted.  "GM should recognize the loyalty and the skill of the Moraine workers with a new product placement.  GM could reward the community's long-time support by working to rebuild the plant's future, not abandoning an already hard-struck area.  I hope that GM is not out of fresh ideas and new products," he declared.

At the same time, IUE-CWA "will fight equally as hard to ensure that our members and retirees get all they deserve and all they have earned after years of working for GM," Clark stated.