People can point fingers all they want, and some of the pointing is jest, but I think what needs to be thouroughly thought threw here is, our country is truely in a dire straights. GM haters, instead of saying "ha ha", GM employees instead of saying "Good Ole Bush did it now", why don't we all unite and truely see how desparate our country is for unity. When a huge company such as General Motors is in such danger of becoming extinct, you know that there are bigger problems to come for our economy. The question is....what can we do? I am open for any and all suggestions, one thing though, I am thankful it is an election year, although it is becoming increasingly harder and harder to see who the best canidate will be. It seems that all people want to focus on is AGE, SEX and RACE this time around. That is hindering the true messages these canidates are trying to reveal. My plea to all is, let's be positive and have sympathy for our neighbors, after all we are all part of the same nation. I am so sad for the individuals that are directly being hit by this, and scared for the ones who are in danger of being hit in the future.

It is so strange that the union continues to support the Democarats and their policies of no drilling for oil in Alaska and off our own coasts where there is plenty. Also no refineries allowed built for over 20 years, no nuclear etc etc. Are you surprised at the price of gas and the ruination of our industry? Dont be, keep voting the obstructionists in.

Good old GREED from the MANUFACTURE / UNION AND EMPLOYEES got all the big 3 in trouble now they pay the price .

they are trying to weed out the higher paid employees so they can bring in the lower paid ones , the mad dash is on at several other gm plants to fill the openings so the higher paid employees cant transfer, i wonder how many wish they had their vote on their new contract back

OH! I am soooo sorry to all of you employees and others in the community that this is going to effect. Please try to stay optimistic that things will get better. This is so sad. You are all in our prayers.

etownmilton-No I believe it will go lower than 95....May even hit the last of the 86ers. SAD! SAD! SAD!Remember we have people that transfer from parts plants that have 85 plant rights !

I have a feeling the wonderful $600.00 will be used on paying off the charges on the credit card for the fuel,(about 2 or 3 fill ups worth) thanks to "W" and his white house mess!! Oh, do we need change or what!!! In the meantime, everyone who can should plant a garden this year at least we may be able to eat!!

Thank you "W" and your political party. You've done a "heck of a job" since you took over. Oil from Iraq will cover the war and gas will remain cost affective. And now you're giving each American $600. As a GM employee, don't you just love it?

Dan, this isn't only 1,250 jobs. Lear will follow suit and go to 1 shift as well. The pendulum swings futher than people think.

So, let's go on the low end. 1,500 people all needing a job. We have that many available that the economy won't be affected here?

Although difficult for the affected workers, this is only 1250 jobs in a city with low unemployment and a lot of industrial employers who have no connection to the auto industry.
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The 1980s cuts came when GM employed many more people per production unit and was a much larger component of the local economy, and while there were noticeable effects, it was not a severe blow.
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I expect that Dean's and St. Mary's both took the GM plant's end-of-life status into account when making their plans.

etown, if you have been at the plant for a while you know that when they lowered to 44jph and now are moving back to 58jph on 1 shift only, they will not have many layed off long because the over-loaded jobs will have a grievance and they will have to bring back layed off ones. I have heard that maybe 96 and lower will be layed off. Only time will tell. In the meantime, it will just be an every other week work schedule until AAM is back off of their strike. I on the other hand am retired and enjoying it!!

With the 400 they just laid off it took 8 years to hold a job in the plant. Now it will probably take 20 years to hold one. Very sad.

What do you think? 95 is going to be about the cutoff??

Thank You 'outdoors'!! Even though GM employees that are and will be affected, thanks to their bennefits, between unemployment and SUB pay, will make approximatly 85% of their gross wage. Our thoughts should be with Lear, LSI, Sub Zero, and Harley Davidson employees also that are affected by layoffs that aren't so lucky to have what GM employees have. All around it's not good for anybody!! Thanks to our president that doen't realize what a recession is and is in denial about it.

To all of you directly affected, all I can say is Im sorry.

The AP is reporting that Pontiac, Flint, Oshawa, and Janesville are the only plants that are having a shift cut. I hope all the GM haters are happy, (sarcasm). This is not good news for anyone in Janesville. I wouldn't doubt that you see Dean/St. Marys re-think this new hospital now.

Of course, with the official word in, the article has changed and does not show that info now.

momof5: The other GM article said that Janesville is the only plant going to one shift.

I'm sure they'll make the shift go on days so they don't have to pay night premium. Also, when they raise it back up, they won't have as many people as they did when it was at 58jph before. they claim for every jph they lower, it's approimatly 30 people they reduce but when they add speed, they might add only 25. GM math, lol

Well we just reduced to 44 jph, cutting alot of jobs. One would think that the increase to 58 would see the addition of jobs, but this is GM and we both know that's not going to happen. Everything else is totally up in the air. I know you've heard this before, I'm sure your hubby has said it but...."We'll get back to you."

so, if the are beefing up the line rate by 14 vehicles/hour, does this mean fewer will loose their jobs that are employed in the supplier market?
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And, I'm sure I know the answer, but what shift will they be running? (Will it still be 5:48 to 3:48 or the night shift equivalent or will it be new hours all together?)
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Does anyone know if Mexico or Arlington will also be put on 1 shift?
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And, finally, has GM announced, via official press release or rumor, that this will be permanent or will it be a temporary fix because of the market and economy?