AM General announces layoffs

by John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com)

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Hummer H2 plant in Mishawaka

AM General will lay off 80 employees at its Hummer H2 plant in Mishawaka. (WSBT file photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Aug 28, 2008 at 10:42 AM EST

Story Updated: Sep 1, 2008 at 1:03 PM EST

MISHAWAKA — WSBT News has learned AM General plans to lay off 80 workers at the Hummer H2 plant in Mishawaka.

AM General Spokesperson Craig Mac Nab says the layoffs should happen over the next 2 to 3 weeks.

"We tried very hard to not have this happen," said Mac Nab. "We regret the fact that we can't find openings for everybody, there will some people laid off."

AM General produces the H2 for General Motors.

Earlier this summer, the plant announced it would reduce the number of H2s it was producing daily from 52 to 35 after Labor Day because of GM cutbacks. Now, that number is being further reduced to 25.

"They've (General Motors) come back with a second reduction and said, 'No, we changed our minds,'" said Mac Nab. "We want you to make a further reduction that would take us to 25 a day."

Hummer sales are down more than 40 percent for the first half of the year, when compared with the same period last year.

GM announced in June that it would review the Hummer brand — known for its huge, rugged vehicles that come with poor fuel economy — for potential sale in an era of $4 per gallon gasoline.

Stay with WSBT.com for updates.

Wednesday, Sep 24 at 3:48 PM Dash wrote ...

I saw this coming way back when they built the place. Sadly I know people who left secure jobs for AM General. GM is doomed because of lack of foresight. This plant is evidence of that.

Monday, Sep 1 at 12:17 PM shure enuuff wrote ...

Ill by a nisson xterra or a jeep or a toyoota pt criuser befor i buy a hummer. you guys are to expencive. You guys and your unian pay.

Sunday, Aug 31 at 6:20 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Well I guess all u nay sayers feel pretty good hearing that AM General is laying off. Most of the comment in this blog are missed spelled and have bad grammer. Maybe you guys should stop blogging and start studying so that if H1 has a large layoff someone young and very smart like me doesn't displace you from your job. Haters are everywhere, but don't you guys ever take a break.

Saturday, Aug 30 at 11:32 PM S S wrote ...

so now there are good people,that were on the same team.and have been reasigned to H1,Starting to bad mouth US.And feel that the HIGH senority bros left at the H2 plant, and the ones that have wrongfully been layed off.are now some how out of place by wanting what is rightfully theirs,remember we have the SENORITY to someday displace all of those who have gone before us.You should show more respect.Nogotiations are not that far off.lets stay a UNION and remember our place.We all need JOBS...

Saturday, Aug 30 at 10:59 PM snowstump wrote ...

alright I'll stop airing out our laundry. ALMOST!Now there is a disturbance in the force, created by THE MAN. by not following the contract and continually debating how to interpetate the language.the company has been able to weaken our union and our repesentatives. we can not allow the contract to be manipulated. so they can selectively adhere when its convenent.and force concetions on us as a body.The union tries to keep as many members employed as posible.I get that.But weve lost our leverage

Saturday, Aug 30 at 10:35 PM snowstump wrote ...

those that have been moved,concider yourselves lucky.the first d-rate all that fell within the att policies @ H2 were displaced to H1. somehow the next 3 d-rates they broke their precedent. and now your attendance,(which you were still within the contractual polacy) now excluded you?? how is a person still quaified to report for work @ h2 but is denied the right to move? seems like discrimanation. now you have pepole out on the street when they should have a job. Way to add to the unemploment...

Saturday, Aug 30 at 9:49 PM snowstump wrote ...

hello to all my brothers and sisters. first I am thankfull for the opprotunity to build a WORLD CLASS truck here in little -o- mishawaka. if you want performance info go to the ones who test. J.D.powers and our field tests.there is plenty of real performance info if you look.its no humvee but still impresive. regearing and engine opptions would defenately help convince those who are on the fence. but the economy is bad.I don't care who you are you've felt some effect! we will ride the storm out.

Friday, Aug 29 at 12:24 PM Mr. Obvious wrote ...

This kind of thing wouldn't be so horrifying if we weren't so deeply dependent on our boss because of house/student/car etc. loans we have to make payments on. That's how future generations, maybe 100 years from now, will think of us, the era where people's lives were dominated by dependency.

Friday, Aug 29 at 11:41 AM Jerry wrote ...

Hummer H2 plant is full of scum and bums. Especially the women, they are the nastiest!

Friday, Aug 29 at 9:26 AM ToeB wrote ...

Please do some research before commenting. Also that thing at the end of a sentence is called a period. Most of you come off sounding like 7 year olds on here.

Friday, Aug 29 at 8:59 AM Anna wrote ...

I'm glad AM General never called me for a job. I found a job to where I don't have to worry about losing my job to anything. Lucky me..............

Friday, Aug 29 at 8:04 AM HANG IN THERE wrote ...

AM General has always been feast or famine. In the end, if you are a decent worker, you will be called back to work. I've got a friend out there with over 30 years seniority. He is doing quite well...Be a good worker, take the pain and in the end you will be living the American Dream. GODSPEED to all you young Union laborers.

Friday, Aug 29 at 5:21 AM not going to do it! wrote ...

This is really going on at the h2 plant. I've been there a few years, the company is taking the people with the least senority from h2 and placing them over at h1. They are laying off permanently the ones with the worst attendant and bad performance. They have done that for the past 6 years, why change now? Why feel remotely sorry for the cronic offenders. I don't! Am genral will try their hardest to make room for the desent guy who is trying to make a honest living.

Friday, Aug 29 at 4:40 AM Dawn wrote ...

I am one of the families that is in danger of the layoff.. AGAIN. Get rid of some of the management because I don't think there is really anyone left there to manage. As for overcompensating with bigger vehicles...I have a large SUV because I have 3 kids and 2 dogs and I pay for the gas no matter what the price. Try fitting all that in a VW Bug. Prayers to anyone who has lost their job!

Friday, Aug 29 at 4:01 AM Danny S. wrote ...

The should shut down and move to Mexico so they don't have pay any benifits,All the other companys are!

Thursday, Aug 28 at 11:11 PM Lay off at Memorial wrote ...

Memorial Hospital has laid off over 200 people recently. I know because I happen to be one of them. They are trying to keep the community in the dark regarding how bad the situation is. That is why there has been no announcements. Each department is firing people at different dates to keep this secretive. We are threatened with loosing the severance if we talk to the media. Community has a right to know that Memorial is risking patient lives with these cut back in critical areas.

Thursday, Aug 28 at 9:41 PM j-rok wrote ...

the military hummer is not street legal its built cheap to believe me thats why the parts department is making money. i feel when the taxi comes in 09 well be called back so we just have to chill for awhile. when a new president is in office the military hummer will slow down trust me. two buildings two different contracts management knows what their doing toying with us leverage for the next contract,h2 ends contract ends in 09

Thursday, Aug 28 at 9:09 PM Saddened wrote ...

Whether you like the truck or the company or the Union or not. People are losing their jobs. Families are put at risk. Our community suffers. Sad news

Thursday, Aug 28 at 8:15 PM G wrote ...

An H-2 DUDE. Seriously, they make those things for suito idiots that want to compensate for the lack there of and so the young yuppies can pretend they are 50 Cent or some other rap star. I have been in all the vehicles, the Hummer HAS a practical purpose as a military vehicle. The H-2, 3 are just plastic toys. After market parts aside, meaning not stock, not ready to go off roading. Awards? So what! What does anyone in flatland Indiana NEED an H-2 or 3 for? Driving to work? Seriously?

Thursday, Aug 28 at 7:52 PM L wrote ...

Question is why is GM not working to develop a more fuel efficient version. Stupid people in charge everywhere. Not rocket science.

Thursday, Aug 28 at 5:51 PM Danny S. wrote ...

Utilimaster is hiring!Come on over and work hard for almost a year then get laid-off so the can bring more temps and not pay benifits!

Thursday, Aug 28 at 5:41 PM ME to G wrote ...

I guess you have never even been inside one and I am pretty sure by the way you talk you have never been 4-wheelin' in one either! Because I have one it is not by any way shape or form a FAKE! Please! Actually if you don't know what you are talking about or have never even read up of the vehicle--please don't write a comment! I guees they are so bad that is why they have won several awards?! Hmm! Better think again. They are top of the line. They will keep building them too! I am sure!

Thursday, Aug 28 at 5:06 PM Corey wrote ...

It was only a matter of time...

Thursday, Aug 28 at 4:54 PM Ronald wrote ...

Aren t they going to start making electric vehicles so we will be able to roam the streets again like we used to? Also we need small cars like the beetle or a metro if they make a lot of them, I am sure there will be plenty of work for those who really need Also the bus is so slow and sometimes late, we really need small cars that are solar powered. Cant they make this types of vehicles as soon as possible instead of closing plants?

Thursday, Aug 28 at 4:24 PM Wayne wrote ...

This is sad! More bad news for the local economy, I hope the slow economy ends soon!

Thursday, Aug 28 at 4:08 PM Stunned to hear wrote ...

McDonalds is hiring.

Thursday, Aug 28 at 3:11 PM Jamie wrote ...

I'm sure all of you will be happy to hear that they will do away with the H2. You don't seem to care about the families that are going to be effected by these layoffs, some of which may eventually be permanent. Who cares if they lose their cars and houses, as long as they don't make anymore than you do. I hate when either of the Hummer plants are on tv because then the coackroaches come out in full force on these boards.

Thursday, Aug 28 at 1:47 PM G wrote ...

Poor useless, cheaply produced, inefficient tools for over compensation are not in quite as much demand, now that the country isnt doin too well. I am sincerely sorry for those that lost their jobs, I really am. However, these vehicles are just symbols of excess and wastes of resources. You can't even take them off roading because they are so fake and cheap. Its about time we start to think about the products we need and not the toys we want. Priorities people, responsibility to our future.

Thursday, Aug 28 at 1:28 PM To AM General Families wrote ...

Tragedies are commonplace. All kinds of diseases, people are slipping away. The economy's down and people can't get enough pay - but as for me... all I can say is - THANK YOU LORD FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR ME. People who will lose their jobs next week may feel like God has turned His back on them. But the truth is - God is not a man that He should lie. He said that He would never leave you nor forsake you. God is still in charge, and He will see you through from glory to glory.~ I'll b prayin 4u

Thursday, Aug 28 at 12:05 PM MM wrote ...

real rich people can afford high gas prices. pretenders in hummers can't. that's why hummer sales are down-a lot of the people driving them are pretenders. h2&3 are chevy pickups underneath anyway. the real hummer is the military model.

Thursday, Aug 28 at 11:47 AM Jerry wrote ...

Good riddance to bad rubbish!

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