DETROIT (WXYZ) — The winding down of production by General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler was accelerated this morning at the GM Romulus engine plant with two new confirmed cases of workers with Coronavirus.
The lines were shut down and workers informed in meetings and with letters. The company says they were informed this morning.
The workers have not been in the plant for a week are getting medical treatment. Workers have been told they may be off work from two to eight weeks.
We are hearing from many that parts employees, skilled trades and contract employees are still working and they don’t feel safe.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said this afternoon she’s glad the manufacturing operations are being shutdown but would not criticize decisions to have workers still on the job inside auto facilities.
FCA in a statement said skilled trades and contract employees are still working.
Late Friday, FCA also said in a statement:
Throughout this challenging period, FCA has been focused on enabling a stable supply of parts to our dealers to help keep our customers on the road. Be they first responders driving ambulances and fire trucks or commercial needs such as delivery and postal services, FCA and its dealers are working to keep all our customers operational. Following an agreement with the UAW, from Monday, March 23, FCA will begin operating our Mopar Parts Distribution Centers (PDC) using hourly-paid volunteers.
As with all our facilities, we have implemented an extensive program of cleaning and social distancing protocols across all our PDCs and we will continue to operate with the safety of our employees as a priority. Further, for any employee volunteering to work at our PDCs, we will ensure they are all equipped with gloves and masks. FCA and the UAW are proud to continue supporting our customers when they need our help the most.
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