Wabash factory plans November closing, cutting 600 jobs

[Omaha Steve]

http://www2.indystar.com/articles/6/253045-4346-127.html

The Associated Press
October 19, 2007 9:58 PM

GDX Automotive gave closure notices to union leaders Friday afternoon, telling them the plant will shut down near the end of November, putting more than 600 people out of work.

A closure schedule included in the notice outlined several job cuts starting around Nov. 9, when the first 62 people will leave the factory, which is Wabash County's second largest employer. The final employees will leave within 14 days of Nov. 30.

"This is devastating for the city of Wabash," said Don Watkins, vice president of United Steelworkers Local 626L. "This plant has raised many families in Wabash."

The notice told employees that factory representatives "have been working diligently over the last year to resolve outstanding issues with our major customers, to secure new products and customers for the Wabash plant," and to evaluate options like a sale.

It also stated that while these issues remain fluid, they were receiving "official notice of the permanent closure" of the northern Indiana factory.

FULL story at link.