The news for General Motors of Canada workers was bad but it could have been worse - and it likely will get worse, their union leader warned Monday.
General Motors Corp. announced it is cutting more than 3,600 people from its Ontario workforce as it eliminates a total of 30,000 jobs across North America by 2008 - closing or scaling back seven assembly plants and shutting at least eight parts, stamping and powertrain centres.
Most of the cuts are in the United States but GM plans to remove the third shift at its Oshawa car plant No. 1 in the second half of next year. That will affect about 1,000 workers who assemble the Chevrolet Malibu and Monte Carlo.
Oshawa car plant No. 2 is to close in 2008, eliminating 2,300 hourly workers and 230 salaried positions, as production plans expire for its products, the Pontiac Grand Prix and the Buick Allure, badged as the Lacrosse in the United States.
In St. Catharines, the Ontario Street West powertrain components facility, which employs 130, will close in 2008.
