GM woes affect auto parts suppliers, too

General Motors plants are in jeopardy, and dealerships are closing. That's all devastating news, but it's not only direct employees of the automaker who are affected.

I'm a shipping clerk for Ventra Salem, a GM auto parts supplier in Salem, Ohio, that was purchased by Flex-N-Gate in March 2008. We've seen a steady decline of orders from GM, and because of that, we don't need as many employees. Since late summer 2008, our workforce has decreased every month with mandatory and voluntary layoffs. Employees saw their workload go from 40 to 60 hours per week to 40 hours or less, depending on GM's orders for each plant.

Before the GM crisis, Ventra Salem was filling 60 to 70 orders a day. Today, we barely fill 30 orders a day. During GM's upcoming summer break at its plants, our business will be cut in half. The most needed employees will stay working; the rest will have to wait until the end of July, when GM reopens its plants to come back to work. Even then, Ventra Salem will only call small groups back at a time.

My co-workers wonder how long they will stay employed. Others discuss seniority issues -- who should go and who should stay. If you're qualified to do more than one job, you have better chances of remaining with the company.

Some co-workers have other incomes and will fall back on that. Others have spouses who will bear the brunt of any layoffs. Some will struggle on unemployment and survive through charity and government services.

After two years with Ventra Salem, I'm still one of the youngest at 32. For months, I have been looking into a career change. There are jobs available elsewhere, but it may involve moving away from Salem and leaving my immediate family. The alternative is to rely on unemployment after making a $27,000 annual salary.

GM's financial instability affects those beyond GM's plants. It also impacts other companies who began feeling financial strains when GM's troubles began. Many across the country are depending on GM to come out victorious. We are all watching.