Tube City Almanac

November 21, 2005

Breaking News: Fisher Body to Close

Category: default || By jt3y

Ouch. The General Motors stamping plant in West Mifflin (relegated some time ago to producing replacement body parts) is set to close in 2007 as part of a massive restructuring plan by the automaker:

The long-awaited cuts were deeper than expected at a time when the automaker is burning through cash, fending off bankruptcy rumors and close to losing its position as No. 1 global automaker to Toyota. ...


"The decisions we are announcing today were very difficult to reach because of their impact on our employees and the communities where we live and work," said GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said in a news conference at the automaker's Renaissance Center headquarters.


"But these actions are necessary for GM to get its costs in line with our major global competitors."


The cutbacks are expected to help GM reduce its annual costs by $7 billion a year. (The Detroit News)


Known to nearly everyone as "Fisher Body," the West Mifflin plant opened in the 1940s, in part to take advantage of the location of U.S. Steel's (technically, Carnegie-Illinois Steel's) then-new Irvin Works just across the road.

This is a lousy Christmas present to give thousands of Mon-Yough area families. No doubt lots of fingers will be pointed at the United Auto Workers union for allegedly soaking the company. But in my opinion, it's hard not to blame GM management for turning out cars that have by turns been either bland (any of what seems to be dozens of Chevrolet models) or crudely designed (Pontiac Aztek anyone?) for the last 20 years. (Full disclosure: I'm a UAW member.)

There's more to come, I'm sure. (Canadian perspective from the National Post.)






Your Comments are Welcome!

I was skimming the P/G earlier this, um, yesterday, and I saw the article. Couldn’t help thinking of you, you long-time UAW picket-liner…....

Seriously, it is sad news. Who knew they make those incredibly expensive after-market parts in a real place? How are you UAW? Secret life, hidden away from us lowly nerdy readers?

Do tell…......
heather - November 25, 2005



So much for an “employee discount” with new car sales. :(
Mark Rauterkus (URL) - November 25, 2005



> How are you UAW? Secret life, hidden away
> from us lowly nerdy readers?

Yes, I drive to Hamtramck, Mich., every weekend and bolt fenders onto Dodge trucks as a hobby. (Actually, I don’t think they make Dodges in Hamtramck any more. I just like saying “Hamtramck.”)

Seriously: Clicking on that “union label” link to the right of the main Almanac page will take you to the website of the National Writers’ Union, United Auto Workers’ Local 1981, of which I have been a member for something like five years (although recently my dues were into arrears … something I have corrected).
Webmaster (URL) - November 28, 2005



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