Fate of Toyota's Only Unionized Plant Hangs in the Balance

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/11784

Lede: The fate of the only unionized Toyota auto plant in the U.S. will be decided by the end of the month. Doug Cunningham reports.

By Doug Cunningham

The Fremont, California plant was a joint venture between GM and Toyota until GM’s bankruptcy made Toyota the sole owner. The UAW says 4500 union workers could lose their jobs if Toyota closes the plant. The UAW has launched an online peition drive urging Toyota, Congress and the Obama administration to save the plant. The state of California is also reportedly offering tax incentives and other breaks, including a combines state, federal and local package to convince Toyota to keep the plant open. Officials at the factory say they have orders from Toyota to keep it busy at least through October. In addition to the 4500 UAW jobs at stake, the plant supports another 35,000 jobs indirectly. The plant has been a model of efficiency and high-quality, according to the automotive press and industry watchers. Despite that record, though, GM’s stake in the plant was assigned in its bankruptcy to the “bad GM”, or the Motor Liquidation Corporation. The UAW is attempting to negotiate a new contract at the plant as Toyota weighs its fate.