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Cindy
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| Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject: 2nd shift back in Oct. |
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Edmund
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| Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject: Chrysler restoring second shift in Belvidere |
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http://www.rrstar.com/news/x939030654/Chrysler-restoring-second-shift-in-Belvidere
Chrysler restoring second shift in Belvidere
By Alex Gary
BusinessRockford.com
Sep 02, 2009 @ 04:13 PM
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BELVIDERE — Chrysler Group LLC this afternoon announced it was restoring the second shift at its Belvidere assembly plant effective Oct. 5 and hiring 850 employees.
The surprise announcement comes less than a week after it was released that the area’s jobless rate in July hit 15.1 percent, the highest level since June 1983.
Chrysler spokesman Max Gates said in an e-mail that all of the active Chrysler workers on the layoff list from Belvidere will be recalled, but the company also is reviewing the local labor market for additional hires. The company, when it was reorganizing in bankruptcy court this summer, eliminated the second shift and about 1,100 workers. A significant number of those workers accepted a buyout offer from the company rather than keep their active status.
The summer elimination of the shift cut the work force down to about 1,700. It also meant layoffs at several supplier companies near the plant that adjust hours and employees to the work at the 3.7 million-square-foot plant.
The company is adding workers to boost production of the Dodge Caliber, which is hard to find on dealer lots because of the U.S. Government’s cash for clunkers rebate program that ended Aug. 24.
The program gave rebates up to $4,500 to buyers who traded in low mileage vehicles for more fuel-efficient rides. All three of the vehicles made in Belvidere — the Caliber, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot — are capable of getting at least 28 mpg. According to Edmunds.com, a respected car site, both the Caliber and Patriot were among the 10 most-purchased vehicles through the program. |
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ResDcc
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| Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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Anyone know how many people are still on roll that are laid off. With this news, how does this effect the people that are going to KEP. Trying to get an idea of how many people they might have to hire, and if they will be Full time($14 people) or another round of temps. |
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rextafier1
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| Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:56 pm Post subject: Roll numbers |
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From what i have heard there are about 1600-1700 full time employes assingned to belvidere with 200 weekenders and i believe they need 1200-1300 to run a shift so my guss would be they need over 500 new people.  |
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4onthefloor
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| Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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Chrysler seems to quite optimistic about future demand for cars. I hope they are right. |
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rextafier1
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| Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject: second shift |
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I would have a hard time believing that they would hire long term people to work there at this point. |
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Kristie
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Joined: 15 Oct 2007
Posts: 60
Location: BAP - group 8 team 1 2nd shift
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:31 am Post subject: |
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They are taking names and numbers of ETE's that would like to return, so if your interested they will add your name to the "list". Good Luck!  |
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YourPonyDied
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Posts: 404
Location: Johnson Controls
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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Chrysler says it will be temporary depending on demand
http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/57069962.html
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Chrysler is recalling the second shift at the Belvidere plant this fall, thanks to increased Dodge Caliber sales. But given the ongoing turmoil in the auto industry, some employees aren't so sure this is all good news.
Kimberly Nelson says 30 to 40 percent of her business at Headlines Hair and Nail Salon comes from the Belvidere Chrysler plant. So cuts down the road, mean trimming back in here.
"The plant has definitely affected our community, because people just don't have the money to spend. They spread out their haircuts and their color they don't get done as often or don't get done at all," says Nelson.
So Nelson is happy to hear Chrysler is recalling 850 workers in the second shift at the Belvidere plant, starting October 5th. She says, "It's kind of exciting news hopefully it will help everybody."
The shift is coming back due to increased Dodge Caliber sales. The fuel-efficient model sold well under the "Cash for Clunkers" program and now Chrysler executives hope to build an extra 10,000 Calibers this year.
A Chrysler spokesman says all the workers on the layoff list from Belvidere will be recalled, with the exception of those who took the buyout.
"It kind of points to the fact that maybe the economy is picking up a little bit. It seems like there's greater demand for the more fuel efficient cars," says Belvidere Chrysler worker Lamarr Wooden.
But Chrysler representatives say the second shift is temporary. They can't say how long it will last, because that depends on consumer demand.
For workers like Curly Taylor that sets off some alarm. She's concerned Chrysler will fill the second shift with employees from other closed plants, who have greater seniority with the company. Then when the second shift shuts down again, Taylor says she could lose her job, because her seniority will drop compared to others in the new pool of workers.
"It's good news, bad news, good news, bad news. But we have to wait til the last minute to find out anything," says Taylor.
Belvidere's UAW president is in Detroit and did not return our calls for comment.
Chrysler is also advertising for temporary employees. A company statement lists www.hourlychryslerjob.com as the website to apply. But as of 7:00 Thursday evening, that website was not up and running. |
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ResDcc
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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Sigh, if they are just going to hire Temps again. For a 40 hour work week I was going to take a pay cut from what I make in unemployment. (When did you ever thing you where hear that from a UAW autoworker) And as long as they are handing out 13 week extension, I am not going to go back, work 40 hours, make less, then when they do shut it down, have a reduced unemployment check because they will recalculate it. This is really bad. |
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Kristie
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Location: BAP - group 8 team 1 2nd shift
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:15 am Post subject: |
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They've been down this road before, what is the point in bringing in temps again, the advantage to bringing in temps is so they don't bring in transfers with higher seniority for a temporary increase in production - which would screw up the plant for those that have managed to hang in out there. However for those of us ETE's (March layoff) our unemployment has ran out, and there isn't much out there for wages, and sadly the $14 per hour is still good money! I took classes and got certified to work as a CNA, however they only make at most $9.50 per hour, I've made more money working as a teller, so I've passed on the work and chose to stay at home with my little one. They should just make the best of it as things are now, if they were to bring in a 2nd shift again, they would still have everyone working 9 hour days and 6 days a week - and over produce the cars (as seen in the past) and by the end of the year it would be all over again when things slow back down again.
So you can see the advantage to bringing in temps for those of you still out there with low seniority - I know there were some issues with that before, but I know I worked hard and busted my hump like a lot of other people, I came into work - ON TIME - and was there everyday, I enjoyed what I did, and I liked the group I worked with. Try to not be so hard on them this time! |
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Heretic
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:36 am Post subject: |
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I'm curious as to how many transfers from closed plants will fill the resurrected 2nd shift. And what happens when more plants shut down within the next year(s), i.e. Sterling Heights &/or Kenosha Engine> |
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BrianLaws
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Location: KEP Temp Assignment
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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As a current employee working in the Kenosha Engine Plant on temporary assignment, I have already heard several local people saying when Chrysler closes Kenosha that they are ready to come to Belvidere. I'd like to add that I have found and heard that everyone at the Kenosha plant has welcomed us Belvidere transfers sincerely. Everyone seems to be in a very joyful spirit considering the plant is scheduled to be closed. It's very refreshing and quite an enjoyable place to work 
Even a local hotel manager has welcomed the BAP transfers in with a steal of a deal and we are on the receiving end. Please see the Kenosha section/thread for more details. |
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cappy0420
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject: I hope the plant and the union really think about this. |
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i work first shift. for a supplier... i would like to know what is going to happen when all these cars are built? are we going to be back in the same boat we were in at the at the first of the year. sittn at home becouse there are to many cars built.. or 1 week on 1 week off. I think its a big mistake as do may of my coworkers. let the SENIOR people work. or is just gonna be for 3 months the 2nd shift gets laid off. again in jan. i hope chrysler BAP is makeing the right decision? as do a lot of other people..... |
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YourPonyDied
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Location: Johnson Controls
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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I was called today by an unavailable number about a application i put in Pre-bankruptcy for chrysler work, saying with 2nd coming back they are looking and I need to do a phone interview. Said the paid is 14 or 14.50 an hour and 40 hours a week |
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rextafier1
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| Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:52 am Post subject: Kenosha Engine Plant |
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brian laws do you guys know will you be comming home or staying there?
also what is the majority of senority there is there mostly 90's or 80's that will be wanting to come to belvidere? |
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