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Rochester's GM plant expected to see 200+ jobs cut this summer

The General Motors plant on Lexington Ave. in Rochester.
file photo/Max Schulte
/
WXXI News
The General Motors plant on Lexington Ave. in Rochester.

Rochester’s General Motors plant will see some deep job cuts this summer.

Back in 2018, plant management at the facility on Lexington Avenue notified the union, UAW Local 1097, that production of certain future fuel system components was awarded to an outside supplier following a competitive bid process, beginning in third-quarter 2021.

On Friday, General Motors told WXXI News that earlier this week, management reaffirmed to the workforce there that the previously announced transition would begin this August.

GM said the shift in production will affect about 215 jobs, but it says that number could be mitigated by normal attrition.

Currently, the plant employs about 770 union workers and about 180 other personnel.

The local GM plant on Lexington Avenue makes parts used in fuel injection, as well as oil pans, manifolds and related components.

GM spokesman Tom Read said, "The Rochester team will continue to focus on building world class quality fuel system components and will continue to aggressively compete for new opportunities to earn business for the plant."

Read said that there has been no announcement or decision to close the Rochester GM plant. He said, "They will continue to produce fuel system components, as volume requirements dictate."

Dan Maloney is President of Local 1097 of the United Auto Workers in Rochester. He said GM’s announcement is “bad news for Rochester,” saying that the local plant is the leader in that fuel system business but he’s hopeful that with the facilities there and the quality of the workforce, they can compete for future contracts.

Maloney would like to see the GM plant in Rochester be part of any transition that is in the company’s future for producing additional electric cars, as well as any continued research and production into vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

Maloney also said he’s hopeful that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has been very supportive of the local GM plant in the past, will advocate for additional production work there.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.