GM to hire 500 for third shift at Lansing plant

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http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/s...lant/78255386/

LANSING – General Motors Co. is adding a third shift at the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant to keep up with demand for the 2016 Camaro and plans to hire more than 500 employees in the coming months.

“This is huge for us,” said Mike Green, president of UAW Local 652, which represents workers at the facility. “This is the first time the plant has been fully utilized since it was brand new.”

The hiring process for the third shift is already underway. The new hires will be "off the street," said Mike Trevorrow, plant manager, meaning they were not previously laid off by GM or transferred from another plant.

When hiring is complete, the plant will employ roughly 2,300 people, according to the company. The third shift is expected to start sometime in the second quarter of this year.

“I think this is a positive message that the sixth generation Camaro is building upon what the fifth generation started," Trevorrow said. "It's still an icon for sports car enthusiasts."

GM added a second shift at the plant this summer, hiring 450 employees to produce the Camaro. The second shift had been discontinued in January 2015. The Camaro hit dealership lots in November.

Trevorrow didn't discuss exact sales figures for the new Camaros but said the plant produces nearly 230 of the sports cars each shift.

“The Camaro has been good to us,” Green said. “For launching a sports car in the fall, it’s doing well in the market.”

Since its release, the Camaro has been named the Motor Trend Car of the Year for 2016. It was also a finalist for the North American Car of the Year.

Employees hired will be subject to the new contract that GM made with the UAW, which eliminated to two-tier system. Workers can make up to $29 an hour in eight years or less.

"These are good paying jobs," said Green, whose union's membership will grow to 2,300. "Under the new contract, (wages are) more than what it was and now they have an avenue to get to the top of the progression. It's a good contract for entry-level employees. The UAW made a lot of sacrifices to keep the company in business ... and now we're making big gains."

"It's good for us, good for business and good for the economy in Lansing," he said.

Lansing Grand River Assembly opened in 2001 and produces the Camaro, Cadillac ATS and CTS.

GM is also building a $174 million stamping facility at the Grand River plant, which will make parts for the Camaro and Cadillacs. Once completed sometime this year, it is expected to save GM $14 million in logistics costs annually.