A high number of COVID-19 cases have been reported at the GM Fort Wayne Assembly plant in Indiana in recent months, forcing union members to speak out about the worsening situation.
The World Socialist Web Site recently obtained memos addressing the COVID-19 situation at Fort Wayne Assembly, which were originally sent out by plant management to assembly line workers.
These memos indicate there were a total of 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the plant between November 6th and November 23rd. The plant saw a total of 10 confirmed cases in one day alone on November 20th, a potential sign of transmission between workers at the facility.
The WSWS says that four of the cases were second-shift trim employees, while two were third-shift trim employees. A single first-shift chassis department employee, along with another on the second chassis shift, also tested positive for the virus. GM maintains that there is no plant transmission at the Fort Wayne Assembly plant and that all the cases are being contracted outside of work.
The publication also tracked down a Fort Wayne Assembly plant employee who posted a Facebook comment that said an entire team of workers on the door line at the plant were off work on quarantine after being potentially exposed to the virus.
GM said earlier in the year that it would offer paid time off for employees who were forced to take time off work to quarantine. Conversely, the WSWS said it spoke to employees who said GM is making it hard for employees who may be exposed to take time off and that there is “enormous pressure” to continue showing up for work anyway.
Employees at the plant are also frustrated with UAW leadership, who they believe is not acting in their best interests to protect them from contracting COVID-19 at work.
GM Fort Wayne Assembly builds the Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 light-duty pickups. The trucks are among GM’s most profitable vehicles, making Fort Wayne a key plant for GM’s overall business.
As of this writing, there had been a total of 342,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Indiana, along with 5,723 deaths.
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Comments
COVID-19 Cases on the rise at GM;s Fort Wayne Assembly Plant and yet the company has recently said they have no plans to have their employees get a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available; this is yet another reason why GM CEO Mary Barra should be fired.
They said they have not plans to FORCE employees to get vaccinated. There’s a difference.
(I’m not a big fan of Barra either though)
A very uninformed statement on GMs COVID response. GM like always, is trying to find the cheapest way for them to deliver the vaccine free to hourly employees while at work. They do not intend to FORCE employees to take a vaccine. I do however, agree on Mary Barra, she should be fired for the joke that is Cadillac. Anyone want an electric car? It might be a bonfire in the morning.
Profits over quality
Don’t believe anything this wsws says. They are famous for taking half truths and mostly lies and presenting them in some way to make it appear credible. We thought the National Enquired was bad. This rag makes them look like … (insert what ever news source you deem to be credible.)
With a name like “World Socialist Web Site” it has to be real…right??? 😉
I have a Sierra 1500 AT4 being delivered to me in the next week that was built at this plant on November 17th. Does anyone know what the chances are that the truck could be caring COVID-19? Should the truck be sanitized before taking delivery?
No worries. It will be clean, everyone has to mask up to work and touch points are cleaned rather frequently. The rise in cases are from people getting it outside the shop and coming to work.
Covid doesn’t live very long on surfaces, and it takes at least a couple weeks for the truck to get to your dealer. At my plant (not GM) incoming parts from suppliers and not cleaned either before employees touch them as the transit period is long enough for any covid to be gone. The biggest worry really is quality, with all the people sick/quarantined there are lots of employees working out of their normal areas.
You will love that truck I just took possession of my 2021 AT4 with the Duramax, wow what a truck.
I just ordered a 2021 Sierra 1500 AT4 a few days ago. From what I read these are assembled at 2 different plants, but still, I wonder if this could affect my delivery schedule. (Which I’ve already been told should take between 8 & 10 weeks)
When I ordered my CT5-V Cadillac, Covid-19 shutdowns pushed my delivery out to 6 months!
My truck was built at the plant on November 17th and is now in Milpitas, CA being prepared for transport to the Dealership.
In past years, my ordered vehicles have traveled via rail to Salt Lake City, then did their remaining few hundred mile journey by transporter truck.
I took 9 months from the time I placed the order for my AT4 to the time I got it. Covid shut downs then it was parts shortage for the AT4, but it was all worth the wait.
Parts shortages…
I wanted the 20″ wheel/tire package, but couldn’t get it. (Not for several months anyway)
I ordered the Duramax too. I’m really looking forward to it.
Mask up muchachos! Keep building!