General Motors to cut 15% of North American workforce, equal to 14.700 jobs. The operation is part of a restructuring plan that should allow it to save 6 billion dollars by 2020. The reduction in the workforce should include a cut of 8.100 "white collar" workers and over 6 workers.
There are five factories that will close in 2019: one is in Canada (in Oshawa) and none produces cars sold in the United States. The costs for the restructuring are expected to be between 3 and 3,8 billion dollars.
In a meeting on Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his "deep disappointment" to General Motors CEO Mary Barra. “GM workers have been part of the heart and soul of Oshawa (Ottawa) for generations – wrote Trudeau on Twitter – and we will do everything possible to help the families affected by this news get back on their feet”. Approximately 2.500 people work in the Canadian factory.
According to the US president, Donald Trump, General Motors should stop producing cars in China and bring production to the US. Trump also said he had spoken to Barra and that the US automaker should quickly open a new plant in Ohio.
Barra will meet Larry Kudlow, economic adviser to the US president.
