General Motors is ramping up production of its popular heavy-duty pickups, much to the delight of Local 598 members.
The automaker yesterday announced it will create 750 jobs by adding a third shift at Flint Assembly, and plans to call back laid-off workers. Currently the plant employs 2,100 hourly and salaried employees and operates two production shifts.
"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."
The plant, which has built 13 million vehicles since 1947, produced 115,000 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks in 2010.
GM will bring in "the first wave of employees" in the second quarter "with additional waves arriving until the plant starts the third shift in the third quarter," the company said in a press release. "Initial openings will be filled by recalled laid-off Flint Assembly employees currently working at other facilities, primarily in Lansing. Remaining openings will be filled by laid-off employees in the area, including those from Orion, Willow Run, and Warren," the company said.