1 September, 2009UAW criticizes Toyota's decision to close the NUMMI plant in California, stating that thousands of workers will lose their jobs due to this 'ill-timed' decision.
USA: The United Autoworkers (UAW) expressed anger at Toyota's announcement on August 27 to close NUMMI, its plant in California, the only unionised Toyota plant in the U.S.
"Toyota's announcement that it will close the NUMMI plant is devastating news for thousands of workers in California," said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.
"This is no time to close a highly successful manufacturing facility. California is one of the most important markets for Toyota," said UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles calling the move "illogical" and "ill-timed" in today's economy.
The announcement to close the plant, a joint venture with General Motors, came after GM decided to withdraw from the joint venture in June when it announced to give up the Pontiac brand, which has already caused a cut in production of almost 60,000 units.
Four thousand UAW-represented workers at the plant will lose their jobs and up to 35,000 families in California whose livelihoods are tied to the facility will be negatively affected.
Toyota has 26,000 non-union workers at nine auto assembly and powertrain plants in the U.S. and Canada.