The Effects of GM and Chrysler's Bankruptcy One Year Later

Ventra Salem, LLC is located in Salem, Ohio. We supply several auto parts to GM and Chrysler, and have done very well for many years. When GM and Chrysler decided to take the bankruptcy, plant workers felt discouraged. The number one thought was people being laid off and for how long. Since the plants sole profits come from the auto industry, the idea of the plant shutting down looked closer than anyone wanted to imagine.

We had already been doing layoffs for months even before the bankruptcy hit the news. May and June 2009 became the let down. Myself and several other employees were laid off indefinitely. Waiting the time out was distracting, not knowing if I should look for another job, or wait until they called me back. It wasn't until July of that same year, I received a call that shocked my mind. I was being told that I, a shipping clerk, was not going to be called back to work and I should be receiving papers in the mail about my 401K, insurance and what not.

I was sitting in the Walmart parking lot with my husband and kids, and all I could say to them was, are you ready to go shopping. With excitement they leaped out of the car, one by one, my two girls and son followed me in, while I held my head up high knowing that things would work out.

I decided to register for fall classes, and only had about one month to get things in order before the classes began. I did all the paperwork, added the classes I wanted, and was ready to go. Then it happened. I spoke to the general manager who was happy to let me know that I was coming back to work, but there was a catch. I would not be in the shipping department, instead I would be a press operator, and I could not turn it down because I would lose my unemployment benefits. I also had to pay back all the insurance premiums plus the current premium each pay until paid in full. I was happy to have a job, as so many did not. I was, however, disappointed to know that despite all of my hard work to get into the office, all of my schooling and my degree, I was still going to end up back where I started when I graduated from high school, but instead it was 14 years later. Since I was called back to work, my education was suspended and still in pending status. Not knowing if and when I will ever return.

I took the position and worked hard. I met other employees who had similar situations like mine, and some that were unemployed for six months or more longer than I was. After working in the press department for almost eight months now, I know what it means to make a good quality part. I also know that our company needs to stay afloat, and the only way to do this is to continue to supply GM and Chrysler with good quality parts so that we can continue to be their suppliers.

It is said that starting in April, the Chevy Cruze line will be up and running at the Ventra Salem, LLC plant. Co-workers and I are excited and hopeful that this line will keep the plant running and keep people employed. A new paint line started at the beginning of March, which was a start of the new chapter at the Salem Plant. In August, another line of parts are going to be added into the mix, making the prospects of another failure not so plausible. There is even talk over overtime in the near future, so the prospects are looking up for Ventra Salem, LLC, one year after GM and Chrysler filed for bankruptcy.

Sources:

Larry Shields, http://www.salemnews.net/page/content.detail/id/508526.html, Salem News

Scott Tuel, General Manager, Ventra Salem, LLC