mrtiamman- If this is true and GM is not an American Co. Then why do so many on here bash those who drive Honda, Toyota, Nisson? They all have plants in North America. These bashers all get on their high horses and say the reason for America going down the craper is cuz of American people who don't buy American. So what your saying is these companies arn't Japanese companies, but "multi-national corporations"

ihavealife- opinions may be busy if the homes get forclosed on and they have to rent.
the realtor can give you comparisons in the area but cannot tell you or coach you in any way on what to offer. just give the facts ie-homes are selling for 96 % of asking price.

yes unknown that will really help if we all leave-duh

gabby-well you should. if work is so bad to tell everyone on myspace about it why would you want to work there anyway?usually in any job same job differnet crap anyway .

SarahB- yes freedom of speech. but what did she say? and bashing your employer online and signing your name to it. ever heard of "dont bite the hand that feeds you"?they dont really need a reason to fire somebody either.

i agree hopefully you learned your lesson here and keep your gripes to yourself or gripe anonomously.

Curlysue, I think the important thing to remember is that GM is not an American company, but a multi-national corporation. Its products are produced and sold all over the world. And it, like all other multi-national corporations, will build its products where the labor market will provide maximum profitability. In this case, they've determined that the Canadian labor market will provide maximum profit for this geographic area (North America) for the models produced. That's just the nature of the global economy in which national boundaries are relatively meaningless compared to MARKET boundaries.

Gabby- You condemn Janesville because you were fired for mis-using MySpace? It is typical that people, such as yourself, do not accept the responsiblity for their own actions. It's so much easier to put the blame on others, right?

OSHAWA, Ontario, July 28 (UPI) -- General Motors Corp. (NYSE:BGM) workers facing the closure of a Canadian truck plant will get severance deals and maybe more work, company and union official said Monday.

In addition to severance packages worth up to $100,000 plus $45,000 toward a new GM vehicle for the most senior workers, the U.S. automaker said it will pay pensions of 65 percent of their wages until they reach retirement age. GM also said it would commit to adding more product lines at a new car plant being built in Oshawa, Canwest News Service reported.

The agreement reached between GM and the Canadian Auto Workers union covers about 2,600 employees affected by the planned July 2009 closure of its truck plant in Oshawa.

GM said two new models will be built at the new car plant in Oshawa, in addition to earlier commitments.

"I don't know how many jobs will be created," union spokeswoman Shannon Devine said. "We can't put a hard number on it but the idea is that the intention is to offset the loss of jobs."

The Oshawa pickup truck plant is one of four GM facilities expected to be shuttered in the coming year in North America

So what happened to Janesville? Why not let American people build American cars?

I overheard someone suggesting that GM will wait out the union's demise, and then retool the plant for the future. This seems like a possible outcome. I personally think that if you were paid what the GM worker was paid, you should have banked enough to have options. You should have seen it coming. It is called living within your means. It is still my opinion that factory work means you accepted the fact that you have no job security. Unions have had a negative impact on the economy, and now their impact is being felt here with overpriced products and employees who were overpaid for factory work. It is what it is. I am not saying the employees didnt work hard, but rather they are overpaid for the category of work they decided to take on. I remember when the teacher contract was being debated here and many said, "you understand these negative things when you decide to become a teacher." I feel the same way about factory work. The jobs here in town will suffer for a while. But Janesville will survive. I wish the best for the families who will struggle. I wish the best for Janesville. I do not share the opinion of demise for Janesville, but rather change for a beautiful city and the base of people in it.

Unidentified while I do agree that trying to predict the future doesn't always go according to plan, a lot more homework should have come into play before pushing a lot of folks losing their jobs into this "new high demand, high paying field of medical coding." It's a bit late to discover after just successfully completing your licensing exam that to get an actual job in medical coding, you had to have 2 years experience and 5 years experience for the particular accronym you were licenses for. Yes.. I did check and checked requirements all over the country. By this time the 6 months of unemployment benefits that we were allowed were long gone and we were left looking for work to get some money rolling in, in January. Let's just say the job market in January just isn't so good. Let me mention here that your licensing was only good for one year and would cost you about $1500 to keep it active for one more year. Who exactly did benefit from funds being provided for dislocated workers because it sure wasn't those dislocated workers.

gabby06:

You lost your job because you posted something on MySpace. Haven't you seen all the news articles about that happening to many other individuals around the country? Sorry, but I don't feel bad for you. You posted something to the public domain. It is your own fault for being stupid enough to do that. You won’t find much sympathy here. Hopefully you learned something from it.

Zoom,

New service industry business (which seems to be what is thriving in today's US economy, not manufacturing) won't setup in an area where people don't have a lot of disposible income. So with that said, I don't see alot of new business coming in to fill the void.

/end of Business 201 lesson

My wife and I commute to Madison, yes gas prices suck but we manage. My biggest worry is the burden being transferred to those of us that still have jobs. The City/School system needs to start looking at major cuts. As the tax base decreases so should the Government. We really like Janesville and want to stay but we refuse to support a bloated system. I have volunteered for several committees but I guess they don’t need someone with a Lean/Six Sigma Project Management background. I don’t know the right people. The house is going on the market soon, (willing to take a hit just to get out) then off to some town in Jefferson county. Good luck to those that stay.

>>>>>>.Realtors work for the seller not buyer.<<<<<<<<<

Wrong. They work for themselves.

deborah21154:I can’t really argue your point. There aren’t many jobs that will pay much after only a year or two of schooling. Moreover, many will have a hard time finding a job in the area regardless. The good paying positions like RN and x-ray tech are backed up too far at Blackhawk and other schools for most people to attend. Unfortunately, from what I’m hearing from people I know in the medical field, medical coding has begun to be taken over by RN’s as a part of their regular duties, which is decreasing demand for medical coders. It would have been hard to predict that outcome in 2005, but with the increasing cost of health care and staffing, nothing is out of the realm of possibility. Nonetheless, any level of education will improve the diversity of our workforce beyond just manufacturing. We can only hope that will bode well for us in the future.

Unidentified.... "Provided funding for education comes through for most of the laid off workers".. *L* that maybe so. Too bad it doesn't actually do much of anything to help the people actually affected by a company leaving and them losing their jobs. Ask long term employees who have been permanently laid off by their employer just how well this has worked out. *L* Ask Job Service just how successful a Medical Coding class they pushed people into taking in 2005 worked out. Get the numbers as to how many of the people who passed the licensing exam actually where able to get a job in the field after going through 6 months of total H*ll.

I think it's time for the people of Janesville to pay attention to the city councilmen running for office. Four council postions open next year and 3 the following year. They better have a GOOD plan to bring business into this town! GM has supported Janesville for what, 100 years? Now who will support the big spenders and I don't mean GM employees? There won't be any money in the residents pockets since most won't be working, many will be moving. My favorite department store is even getting less product because this town is no longer a good 'buyer'. How long before it closes and another couple hundred people are out of a job? Even the GM bashers will be profoundly affected! Their house won't be worth what they bought it for and the local and property taxes will be higher for them too. School fees will have to increase, someone has to pay for it, the city will be broke. GM bashers will have to pay higher taxes and city fees, may loose their job at the car dealer since no one is buying cars, their kids won't be able to get a job at Dairy Queen because they won't have people buying their ice cream, and McDonalds won't be hiring because it will be flooded with line workers out of a job. The city needs to stop the living high and work their butts off to get new jobs in this town or it will become a history lesson on what not to do!

Provided funding for education comes through for most of the laid off workers, there is a good long term potential here in Janesville. The workforce here will be more highly skilled than ever before. However, it is up to our local representatives to make sure there are jobs here for these newly skilled workers to pursue. Otherwise people will continue to migrate to wherever the jobs are, which will only continue the downhill slide for the area. I’m putting all my cards on the table and I’m gambling that Janesville can make it through this and become even stronger. I just hope I know when to fold them, know when to walk away, and know when to run.

Gabby: No freedom of speech?

Funny i just lost my job today cuz of something I posted on myspace!!!!!!!! This town sux and I think everyone should just move out and let the town RIP!

I moved out of state over a year ago, mostly due to Mercy treating it's employees like garbage. Now, I'm so glad I did, I couldn't imagine trying to sell a house there now!

My thoughts and prayers are with all the families of those GM workers.

The news that there are high job losses means there are a lot of potential employees for businesses to pick from. New businesses will not set up shop where there is a low supply of labor.

/end Business 101 lesson for the day.

noname said:
-"Who in their right mind would want to move here right now? No one should start a business right now either even though that would help the economy a little."

-"I just know that we have had some out of towners looking at our house, and wish that the news didn't say EVERY SINGLE day what a horrible predicament Janesville is in, and how bad the housing market is right now."

And here you are, writing the exact same thing you don't want to read. Brilliant.

noname, Wow, you must not be from here if you think there are only a few places to work in Janesville and make a decent living; GM and anything GM related. Of course you must not know a single person that doesn't work for those companies and isn't bankrupt or jobless. Obviously.

why does this news not surprise me... I've been trying to get out of here yet with limited income and 4 kids to support, things do get difficult...

This story isnt about the houseing market.As a few of you have commented.This is about the jobs that are being lost in this area.An just so you relitors know.That if know one is working around here they wont be buying any proerty or renting unless if you are rich in this area.The truth to the matter is this an you may not want to here.This is Janesville own falt cause we didnt deversify our economy enough.an we allowed only on Manufacturer to dominate in Janesville for the last 92 years.Every time a company here goes out nothing is never done to make up for the job losses.Thats the citys fault.good example of that is look what happen when Parker Pen closed.How many of those people do u think have a job right now also gone Aqudine Janesville Oasis hotel restuaunt an gas station The Ramanda inn an Shakeys ah most recent Hardee's on Racine st are all out of business.How many of those people have jobs.An what do any of you think wil happen when the GM supliers like Lear an LSI shut down.Like me they may have to leave to work in other towns becausse there are no jobs around an dont forget Stoughton trailers laid off an Catipiller closed down as well to.An also gone is Beloit Corp as well to.If somethis aint done soon Janesville will fall apart that is the reality.Because that is a decision some Janesvile residents are faced with either stay here an get bled dry to go to work ever day or move to where they can be closr to work so they dont have to spen so much on gas each weak that is what is hapening in some cases.It cost me $70 a week to work in Wanakee every week now that i live in Waunakee that cost is down considerably.Thats a choice faceing many people here.Problem is the city dont relize that an this town will suffer cause of it.I hope this angers enough residents in Janesvile to deman the city counil do something about this.Oh an by the way the road we put in for GM isnt paid for yet either so gues who is stuck weith the bill.Good luck to everyone who is staying in a dying city i hope you make it frankly this town will fall flat on its face.Because know one here is looking at the future here at all an will have the sam problems Beloit is haveing whe Fairbanks Mourise an Beloit corp left.Good loke to all the lower in class people who are staying.

It doesn't say anything about the housing market, but it doesn't have to. Who in their right mind would want to move here right now? No one should start a business right now either even though that would help the economy a little. Everyone is going to be affected no matter how you look at it.

The news story says nothing about the Janesville housing market. It's never as bad as the rest of the country, and never as good as the local Realtors would have you believe.

ihavealife:

Actually if you have a good realtor, they will tell you where the housing market trends are going and offer advise on whether a home is overpriced. They make the most money on selling your house, but they hope to get repeat business by helping you with purchasing as well. Mine, is great and has even provided suggestions on what kind of lots that appreciate faster (ex. no corner lot or no lots butted up against a street with heavy traffic s). Because she is so great, I will use her when I go to list my current house as well.

This story was reported by the associated press not the Gazette. The Gazette is simply quoting the Associated Press story. Since Janesville made the top ten, I would consider this news worthy. However, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. I think the Gazette is reporting facts bad or good. I think stories like this will finally make people realize that bashing GM or its workers isn’t going to help us move forward and that we actually do have problems to deal with regardless. In addition, job losses are not just limited to GM and its suppliers, there are other companies closing down or reducing staff. Manufacturing towns have been hit hard across the country. It’s time we all work together to get Janesville back on track.

did someone say the sky is falling??

The Janesville area has been hit hard with job losses in the last decade not just the last year. What have we seen coming in to offset that? Just what is being done to bring jobs into this area and not talking about minimum wage paying jobs with no benefits.

I think we will see more a jump in foreclosures in Rock County once G.M. is done and any other company that work with g.m.

Alot of times by the time someone's house reaches foreclosure their credit is trashed anyway.

So in terms of it harming their credit for years the damage is usually done it hits foreclosure.

If there credit is not trashed, then they could refinance problem solved.

It will be curious to see how prez bushs plan works. It won't make a difference anytime soon.

Noname, I know it is hard on folks like you . But it is sad but true. Janesville's haousing market has taken a big hit in the last few months. Bail out? Unless you cannot afford to keep up with your payments and see no other option, it is never a good idea. Foreclosure ALWAYS does horrible harm to your credit for many years. And NO INTERNET COMPANY CAN CLEAN THAT OFF YOUR CREDIT. If a person can weather the storm, it will not last forever. I think a few years down the line and Janesville will rebound. Property values will be on the rise again and those that have weathered the storm will reap the benefits.

It's not just the Gazette. Everyone does it. The world revolves around everything negative and never the positive. Why can't we talk about something more interesting and worthwhile.

Well, we can't prevent them finding out by making sure that the Gazette is the only place that doesn't report it.

I just know that we have had some out of towners looking at our house, and wish that the news didn't say EVERY SINGLE day what a horrible predicament Janesville is in, and how bad the housing market is right now.

sannio...That should be the last thing people do.(walk away).We have had 4 families walk away in the last 6 months.None of them have lived in their houses for over a year after buying them.All put one has been resold,none had put them on the market before walking away.Most banks will work with people if you tell them you are trying to sell.Banks don't want the houses they want the money. People are looking for average homes now not the Mc Manisons.

ihavealife, Agency laws have changed in Wisconsin. All Realtors are NOT agents of the seller. To quote The WRA'Broker Disclosure to Customers' The Broker has the "duty to provide accurate information about market conditions within a reasonable time if you(buyer) request it, unless disclosure of the information is prohibited by law."

If your house is worth less than what you owe, the right business decision to make would be: http://www.youwalkaway.com
No? Why not?

Reality is best, ignored.

hdoyle..Realtors work for the seller not buyer.Realtors can't give any kind of opinion on the value or what may happen with the market.Most good realtors if asked a question will say I don't know but I will find out for you,and hope the buyer doesn't ask again.

noname: seriously? are you that fragile that you think thid kind of news should be left unsaid? this is the world we live in. do you think that if you just ignore the problem it will go away. sorry ... no

jtmek...opinions has rental houses/apartments and he thinks GM closing will not affect him.Lets see if he comes out on top when people can't pay their rent because of all the job lost yet to come.Maybe thats why his opinions are free because no one is gonna pay for them,kinda like their rent.

I am pretty sure most people looking to buy a home in the Janesville area have a realtor that is smart enough to tell their clients that home prices will only get lower in the area due to the GM plant closing. It's really no big secret. Hopefully you can get yours sold before the wave of foreclosures happen.

I just want to say that those of us who are trying to sell their house, this sort of news would be better left unsaid.

Opinions, why is it wrong for the Gazette to report such findings? Are you one of those who feel that the loss of so many jobs will not affect the area? I guarantee you when GM does shut down, the payroll loss will be much more substantial. And guess what, the Gazette will again report it. So, might as well quit whining and get used to it. And as always, if you don't like, don't read it.

Cape-Coral housing market took a big hit,a year ago a house that sold for 150,000.you can get for under half.Is this what Janesville will see next ??

Well I am glad the GM gazette is at it again