Kenosha:Chrysler turns to retirees

[rickaren]

Chrysler turns to retirees

Former employees to train temporary workers at plant

Chrysler will be hiring local retirees to help train about 85 new temporary workers at the Kenosha Engine Plant next year, a union official said.

Glenn Stark, United Auto Workers Local 72 president, said the retirees would teach the new employees about machines they operated while at the plant. The teaching process might take up to several weeks.

Stark said there aren’t enough workers to train the temporary employees because about half the workforce retired in May.

The hiring of temporary workers is needed to meet the company’s 30 percent boost in production that starts next month, Stark said.

Some of the potential temporary workers apparently were concerned that the jobless, rather than those retired, should be hired. But Stark said training needed to be done by someone with expertise.

“Some jobs have critical things, and you don’t want someone just walking in off the street to do it,” he said. “With some of the equipment, we deal in microns when we measure.”

The retirees will receive the wages paid when they left, Stark said.

Stark said production of the 2.7- and 3.5-liter engines built here is supposed to end by the end of September. That’s sooner than the December 2010 date the company announced in bankruptcy papers earlier this year. But he also said that timeline could change during the year.

A plus for Kenosha?

The earlier closing might work in Kenosha’s favor, he said, as he continues to meet with Fiat, Chrysler’s new owner, and city officials about the factory’s viability.

“We’re still pursuing work” for the plant after it officially closes, he said.

The union leader also recently sent a message to the membership outlining Kenosha’s tumultuous 2009.

“I know times are tough and morale is low, but don’t give up, give in or lose hope,” he wrote.


LINK:Kenosha News | Chrysler turns to retirees