Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it temporarily laid off 400 workers combined at its Livonia Transmission Plant in Livonia, Michigan, and Sterling Axle Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, due to the ongoing United Auto Workers strike against its Chicago Assembly Plant. The furloughs took effect Thursday.
The automaker furloughed 350 of the 2,703 employees at the Livonia Transmission Plant and 50 of the 2,171 employees at the Sterling Axle Plant, according to a statement sent by Ford. The plants produce transmissions and rear axles for the company’s Explorer and Aviator models.
“These layoffs are a consequence of the strike at Chicago Assembly Plant, because these two facilities must reduce production of parts that would normally be shipped to Chicago Assembly Plant,” Ford said in an emailed statement.
Earlier this week, Ford blamed the UAW’s ongoing strike against the Chicago Assembly Plant for its decision to furlough about 330 workers combined at its Chicago Stamping Plant and Lima Engine Plant in Lima, Ohio. The automaker has temporarily laid off about 1,330 employees since the UAW strike began Sept. 15.
Similarly, General Motors said Monday it furloughed 164 employees combined at its stamping plants in Parma, Ohio, and Marion, Indiana. Those facilities supply its assembly plants in Wentzville, Ohio, and Lansing, Michigan, with stamped metal parts. Workers at both assembly plants are striking GM.
Wentzville Assembly builds the Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet Express, GMC Canyon and GMC Savana models. Lansing Grand River Assembly builds the Chevrolet Camaro and Cadillac CT4 and CT5 models.
