‘Corporate greed’: General Motors layoffs 1,314 employees in Michigan despite recent labour agreement

General Motors (GM) has disclosed plans to lay off 1,314 employees at manufacturing plants in Michigan, a move that comes months after the company reached a new labour contract with the United Auto Workers (UAW).

The announcement, made on Thursday (December 14), reveals that 945 employees will be impacted at GM’s Orion Assembly Subsystems Plant in Orion Township.

The Orion Assembly Plant is slated for conversion to produce battery-electric trucks, including the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV, in late 2025. The final production date is set for the week of December 18.

Additionally, 369 employees at Lansing Grand River Assembly/Stamping and Lansing Regional Stamping will be affected. The layoff at Lansing Grand River Assembly is attributed to the conclusion of Camaro production, while the assembly plant will continue manufacturing the Cadillac CT4 and Cadillac CT5.

GM’s decision follows a similar announcement by Stellantis, affecting over 1,000 individuals in Michigan. Despite these layoffs, GM states that it will offer impacted employees alternative positions within the company.

The move has been met with criticism, with State Rep Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), chair of the Labor Caucus, describing it as an “outrageous move motivated by corporate greed” and an “unacceptable betrayal” following the recent labour contract and state tax incentives received by GM. Weiss urges GM to reconsider its decision and prioritise the well-being of its workers.