I guess the complaining by the union and people calling for a boycott of GM products worked to some degree...
https://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/gm-to-...ant-as-part-of-170m-investment-1.4413134
Quote
GM to save 300 jobs at Oshawa, Ont. plant as part of $170M investment
GM makes new investment in Oshawa
Unifor president Jerry Dias and GM Canada president Travis Hester announce measures to invest $170M to transition the Oshawa plant.
Dias, Hester answer questions from the media
Unifor president Jerry Dias and General Motors Canada president Travis Hester answer questions from the media about new $170M investment.
Hundreds of jobs have been saved at an Oshawa, Ont. General Motors plant as the company invests $170 million to transform the facility.
GM Canada and Unifor announced that the current facility, which manufacturers several vehicles, will transition to stamping and sub-assembly. The company says the move is expected to save 300 of the 2,600 jobs that will be affected by the ceasing of vehicle production at the facility by the end of 2019.
"GM plans to be one of Oshawa's leading companies and employers for many decades to come," hailed GM Canada president Travis Hester at a news conference Wednesday.
Unifor national president Jerry Dias said one of the key aspects of the announcement is "the first ever" aftermarket facility for GM.
"After they finish production, for 10 years you have to provide aftermarket parts. So what GM is doing here today is they are making a long-term commitment to Oshawa cause with every vehicle that we start to perform the aftermarket work, it's a 10-year commitment," Dias said.
Aftermarket parts can include everything from doors and roofs, to quarter panelling and trunks.
GM is also planning to transform part of the property at the Oshawa plant into a test track for autonomous vehicles and advanced technology vehicles.
"This agreement maximizes the support for our people and their families, and further secures Oshawa as a key in developing vehicles of the future at our new test track," Hester said in a statement on the company's website.
In November, GM announced it was ceasing production at the Oshawa plant by the end of 2019 - a decision that put thousands of jobs in jeopardy.
Dias said that, while GM's commitment right now is only for 300 jobs, that is likely to expand in the future.
"This announcement, though it might not have a lot of jobs as we sit here today in May, there's going to be a heck of a lot more in December. There will be more next year. There will be more the year after as we continue to Todd Smith, Ontario's Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, called the announcement "good news for the City of Oshawa and all of Durham."
"We are glad this historic site will continue to be a hub for vehicle parts manufacturing, technological innovation and regional economic growth," Smith said in a statement.
It's not yet clear when the transformation of the Oshawa plant will begin.
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