Chris Blizard, president of UAW Local 402, said some workers will be temporarily unemployed until those lines go back into production. He said he did not know how many workers would be affected, but the plant will still be operational.
EARLIER
Several facilities that provide parts to Navistar’s Springfield plant have been affected by the strike at General Motors leading to a shortage in parts, according to local union officials.
Navistar builds medium-duty trucks and vans for GM at its Springfield facility. Production on those lines could decrease as soon as today, according to a bulletin sent to UAW members at Navistar’s Springfield facility this week.
MORE: Length of GM strike will determine if there is an impact on Navistar
The strike at GM, that started earlier this week, was called by the chapters of the United Auto Workers that represent GM workers. The automotive company and union officials failed to reach an agreement on a new four-year contract and approximately 50,000 workers across the country are taking part in the strike.
Navistar notified local union representatives on Wednesday that its Springfield plant’s line 2, which makes vans for GM, would be having a down week next week, representatives of UAW local 402 said. Representatives of Navistar also said that the plant’s main line, which makes medium-duty trucks for GM, could be down next week as well.
MORE:Layoffs at Navistar could affect 136 assembly workers
“This is all subject to change. We have no way of knowing how long this could affect production. This all depends on when the UAW and GM reach an agreement,” said the bulletin sent to UAW members at the Springfield plant.