Layoffs expected at GM supplier Lear
JANESVILLE Lear Corp. in Janesville is expected to lay off more than 275 people in Janesville because of production cuts at its largest local customer, General Motors.
When it takes effect this summer, the move will eliminate more than a third of Lear’s hourly workforce of 670.
Lear is a just-in-time supplier of interiors and seating systems to the Janesville GM plant. Lear wages typically run between $15 and $20 per hour, depending upon the job.
GM announced last week that it will eliminate second-shift production at the close of business on June 26. After a two-week summer vacation shutdown, GM will resume production of Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes and GMC Yukon XLs and Yukons on July 14 with a single shift.
GM has told the state that cutting the second shift would result in the elimination of more than 750 positions.
Sources have told The Janesville Gazette that the Lear layoffs could range from a low of 280 positions to a high of 350.
State Department of Workforce Development officials said this morning they were waiting for official notification from Lear, which could come as early as today.
May 6, 2008 at 1:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Pandow77: After 13 years of employment, my ex-husband makes nearly $22/hour with the night shift differential factored in. I'm not sure where in the plant, at Lear, someone is making $15 (unless they are summer help). That's all. And, sadly, I totally agree with you on the depression forecast. While at the doctor today, I was reading the ag report (which I never do). It is predicted that pork and chicken will also see a sharp increase in pricing due to inflation and increased feed charges (this is in addition to other food products that have either already went up in price or are slated to do so). It's so scary. Hey "Dubya"---pull out of Iraq and start drilling in Anwar.... It doens't matter how you rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic....it's still a sinking ship.
May 5, 2008 at 2:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
My husband knew about it, however no one knows for sure where they will draw the cut off as far as seniority for people keeping their jobs.
May 5, 2008 at 2:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
concernedwife: Actually the employee's already heard about this last week. My sister-n-law stopped by last week all upset and told us how many people were going to be laid off and said that she was going to look into going back to school since they were paying for it and that she needed to start looking for another job.
May 5, 2008 at 2:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
Wll we knew this was comeing.only a matter of time before SSI laysoff.
May 5, 2008 at 1:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
It is nice that the Gazette knows before the actual employees know the numbers.
May 5, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
Momof5: $15-20 isn't really on the low end.My sister-n-law has worked at Lears for about 10 years and was making roughly $19/hour. This really sucks. There are so many places that are having to shut down and so many people out of jobs. It's too bad the president wouldn't just pull out of the war so we didn't have so much money spent on that and try lowering the cost of gas. We're headed for a depression.
May 5, 2008 at 12:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
This morning my company received a message from our CEO stating: "Congratulations on an outstanding month of sales for April 2008. This was the second largest month ever in our history".
Typically this may have caused thoughts of "if we are doing so well, why don't we get better raises, profit sharing, etc.." but speaking for myself, today my only thought was "I am just thankful that I still have a job".
May 5, 2008 at 12:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
there's the much anticipated announcement.... Looks like this is no longer a rumor or scare tactic..... But, the reported $15-$20/hr is a bit on the low end, I'd say. PS--Jackson--just shut up already...no one wants to hear your ramblings or idiosyncraises.
May 5, 2008 at 11:25 a.m.
Suggest removal
Sad to here, well all there days are numbered. Soon those areas of town will look like the Dana building in Edgerton. Good by to all 670.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.