Feds offer enhanced benefits, but NUMMI workers push for new production

[n2doc]

By George Avalos
Oakland Tribune
Posted: 11/24/2009 03:32:04 PM PST
Updated: 11/25/2009 09:01:20 AM PST

Overview of the Fremont plant's history and upcoming closing.
Autoworkers at the NUMMI plant are happy to get a fresh flavor of government aid, disclosed Tuesday, but they also want federal officials to pursue another initiative: pressure General Motors to bring a new production line to the factory.
The U.S. Department of Labor said Tuesday that workers at Fremont's NUMMI auto factory, slated for shutdown in 2010, are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.
"They could be eligible for re-employment services, training, obtaining new occupational skills, and income support in some cases," U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said in an interview with this newspaper Tuesday.
Workers covered by the trade certification will be contacted by the state of California with instructions on how to apply for individual benefits and services.
"We are moving very quickly to help these workers," Solis said. "We are very concerned and we want to prioritize our efforts to help the NUMMI workers."
Those initiatives are appreciated, but they fail to address the real problem, said Sergio Santos, president of United Auto Workers Local 2244, which represents UAW members at NUMMI.
Some 4,700 workers will lose their jobs when NUMMI closes April 1.
"In our position, this program doesn't serve our purpose," Santos said. "General Motors should be bringing in a new production line."

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