GM confirms its Oshawa assembly plant will close in 2019

GM confirms its Oshawa assembly plant will close next year

General Motors has confirmed that its Oshawa assembly plant will be one of three closed in North America next year.

According to a statement from GM, the company is taking steps to “improve overall business performance including the reorganization of its global product development staffs, the realignment of its manufacturing capacity, and a reduction of salaried workforce.”

Over the past four years, GM said it has refocused capital and resources to support the growth of its crossovers, SUVs and trucks, adding shifts and investing $6.6 billion in US plants that have created or maintained 17,600 jobs.

And now, with “changing customer preferences in the US and in response to market-related volume declines in cars, future products will be allocated to fewer plants next year.”

Besides Oshawa, plants affected are in Detroit, Michigan and Warren, Ohio.

Following news of the closure, workers walked off the job in Oshawa on Monday morning.

Workers decided to walk off the job in protest after learning @GM has no product for them to make after 2019. @Uniforlocal222 members feel betrayed. #OshawaMadeGM #canlab pic.twitter.com/42dK8BdxsI

— Unifor Canada (@UniforTheUnion) November 26, 2018

Premier Doug Ford said that it is disappointing that GM failed to “see and build upon this competitive advantage.”

He added that the provincial government will stand by the workers affected by the closure.

“While today’s announcement is disappointing, it will not deter us from returning Ontario to its rightful place as one of the world’s premiere destinations for job creation and investment,” Ford said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed disappointment in the closure.

“GM workers have been part of the heart and soul of Oshawa for generations – and we’ll do everything we can to help the families affected by this news get back on their feet,” he said.

GM workers have been part of the heart and soul of Oshawa for generations – and we’ll do everything we can to help the families affected by this news get back on their feet. Yesterday, I spoke with @GM’s Mary Barra to express my deep disappointment in the closure.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 26, 2018

The General Motors Oshawa Assembly Plant has been building vehicles since November 7, 1953, according to GM’s website.

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