Associated Press
LORDSTOWN, OHIO: General Motors says it will shut down its Lordstown plant in northeast Ohio one week ahead of its regularly scheduled holiday break.
The Youngtown Vindicator reports that the Dec. 17-21 shutdown will leave three shifts of workers without pay for that week. The plant was already scheduled to close from Dec. 21 in a predetermined contractual agreement with the United Autoworkers union. It will reopen Jan. 7.
GM officials said Monday the move is to help curb Chevrolet Cruze inventory heading into a traditionally sluggish period for compact car sales.
UAW Local 1112 President Glenn Johnson said workers will be allowed to file for unemployment compensation to reclaim a portion of their earnings for the week.
The workers will be paid for the regularly scheduled holiday break.