General Motors has idled yet another auto plant, sending 2000 workers home in the midst of an ongoing nationwide strike.
The plant’s closure is one of two announced this week by the Detroit automaker, who has had its fair share of problems this year, including declining sales in China and the fallout from the Rothbury flash fire in July.
The idled plant is located in Lansing, Michigan, and produces the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave models. It’s the third plant General Motors had to close due to the strike. The other two plants, located in Lordstown, Ohio, and Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan, have been closed since late October.
The strike, which began on September 16th, is General Motors’ longest strike in a decade. The UAW met with executives from the company in Detroit this week, but it’s unknown if any progress has been made.
The workers who were sent home will receive state unemployment benefits until the strike ends. The closure of the Lansing plant is a devastating blow to the community, as 2000 jobs are suddenly in danger.
This comes at a time when General Motors is already dealing with a slew of problems. What this strike and the idling of the Lansing plant mean for the future of General Motors remains to be seen, but it’s certain that, if the strike lasts much longer, the company may face some serious repercussions.