GM Says Third Shift at Flint Plant Will Create 750 Jobs

General Motors said that it will be creating 750 jobs in the near future with its plans to bring in a third shift to the Flint Assembly plant in Michigan. In some good news for the state’s manufacturing sector, all of these positions will be given to laid-off auto workers.  

The automaker intends to begin the shift during the third quarter. Employees would begin arriving in the second quarter. Additional waves would continue until the shift begins, according to officials.

Initially, laid-off Flint Assembly workers now employed at other plants will be recalled. Most of these  workers will be from Lansing, Mich. After that, the laid-off employees in various parts of the area such as Orion, Willow Run and Warren, per the UAW GM National Agreement, will receive the rest of the positions.

The automaker said new hires will not be conducted.  

The plant builds the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra lines of heavy-duty pickups.

“Adding a third shift is a response to customer demand for heavy-duty pickups, which most people use to tow, haul and plow,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “Equally importantly, it brings jobs and a needed economic boost to the Flint area."

Flint Assembly plant manager Amy Farmer stated: “I’m very proud of the Flint Assembly team and what we have accomplished in the past year to launch the light- and heavy-duty pickups.

“The support of the UAW, its members and leaders was instrumental in making the heavy-duty truck the critical favorite when compared to trucks offered by our competitors,” she continued.

As it stands, close to 2,100 hourly and salaried employees work at the plant.