GM to lay off 104 Flint staff as Encore work goes to Korea (thanks to free trade)

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130308/AUTO0103/303080354/1527/AUTO0103/GM-lay-off-104-Flint-staff-Encore-work-goes-Korea

March 8, 2013 at 8:40 am

Too soon to say how long staff will be off work, official says

By Melissa Burden March 8, 2013 at 8:40 am

General Motors Co. next month will lay off 104 workers at its Flint Engine Plant as the company sends engine work for the Buick Encore to Korea, a GM spokesman said late Thursday.

GM said it will lay off 44 production, 20 skilled trades workers and 40 temporary employees. Spokesman Tom Wickham said it's premature to say how long employees will be on layoff.

The company notified plant employees this week that the third shift would end in April.

"We had planned on this happening because Flint Engine has been building and exporting 1.4-liter engines to Korea until GM Korea could begin production of the same engine for the Buick Encore, which is assembled in that country," Wickham said in an emailed statement.

FULL story at link.