SPRING HILL, Tenn. - As a decision about their future looms, the nearly 3,000 employees at the General Motors plant in Spring Hill are planning for the worst but hoping for the best.
"Like everyone else, we are always on the Internet, trying to find out anything we can, trying to find stories about what is going to happen next," Charlie McMahon told News 2 Monday while checking on benefits at the United Auto Workers headquarters for the Spring Hill plant.
Spring Hill is one of three plants in the running to build a new, smaller GM car.
The plant currently builds the Chevy Traverse but will become idle in November when production of the crossover vehicle moves to one of GM's plants in Michigan.
Two other GM plants are also in the running to build the new small car, one in Orion Township, Michigan and one in Janesville, Wisconsin
If Spring Hill is not chosen, it will likely close.
"My wife and I discuss it every day, I have a son in school here and it's going really well, he really enjoys it and we want him to finish that high school," said McMahon, who is the Suggestion Plan Administrator at the Spring Hill plant. "If something happens and there is a job offer somewhere else, do I stay here and do I go and get like a room or something, and commute back on weekends? We are having those discussions."
McMahon began his GM career 33 years ago while teaching English by day and working the assembly line by night.
He, like many of his fellow workers, hasn't lost his sense of humor about the plant decision.
"It will definitely be done on a Friday, to ruin your weekend, someone's weekend will be ruined," he laughed slightly.
Supporters of the Spring Hill plant have launched a Web site, SaveOurPlant.com, to encourage the automaker to bring the small car production to Tennessee.
Earlier this month, Tennessee learned GM wants hundreds of millions of dollars from the state up front to bring production to the Spring Hill plant.
The governor has said this is not a year the state can "spare" a couple hundred million dollars.
GM is expected to announce its choice of plants any day.
Related Stories:
- June 17, 2009: Bidding war begins to secure GM small car production
- June 12, 2009: GM wants cash up front to bring small car to Tenn.
- June 11, 2009: Governor says GM wants cash to bring small car to Spring Hill
- June 8, 2009: Supreme Court delays Chrysler sale, local dealers in limbo
- June 5, 2009: Spring Hill now aims fight at new car
- June 5, 2009: Spring Hill now aims fight at new car
- June 2, 2009: Spring Hill mayor optimistic for GM plant future
- June 1, 2009: Maury Co. leaders say they've survived 'harder blows'
- June 1, 2009: GM announcement expected to hurt Spring Hill real estate
- June 1, 2009: Corvette plant survives GM cuts
- June 1, 2009: Uncertainty remains among Spring Hill business owners
- June 1, 2009: GM idling production at Spring Hill plant
- May 31, 2009: Expected bankruptcy declaration worries GM workers
- May 29, 2009: Banker who helped bring GM to Maury Co. reflects on past
- May 28, 2009: Spring Hill's future waits on GM's word
- May 28, 2009: Spring Hill GM workers vote for new contract
- May 27, 2009: Bankruptcy seems inevitable for GM
- May 26, 2009: Spring Hill residents worry, wait for GM news
- May 25, 2009: Spring Hill GM workers wait to learn plant's fate
- May 15, 2009: GM won't renew franchise with Team Chevrolet
- May 14, 2009: Chrysler cuts ties with several Tenn. dealers
- April 27, 2009: GM's plan to cut 21,000 causes concern in Spring Hill
- April 22, 2009: GM to shut many U.S. plants up to 9 weeks
- April 20, 2009: Some Spring Hill automakers could lose jobs
- April 6, 2009: Worry over GM's future continues in Spring Hill
- March 30, 2009: Uncertainty worries workers at Spring Hill GM plant
- March 16, 2009: GM workers return to Spring Hill plant
- March 2, 2009: Spring Hill GM plant suspends production, again
- Feb. 18, 2009: Auto workers confront Corker during visit to Columbia
- Feb. 17, 2009: GM to cut 47,000 jobs, close 5 plants
- Feb. 12, 2009: Corker gets UAW Valentine, says workers are 'misguided'
- Dec. 19, 2008: GM worker in Spring Hill relieved over auto bailout
- Dec. 15, 2008: Community worries about GM plant shutdown
- Dec. 13, 2008: Small business owners ponder Spring Hill's future
- Dec. 12, 2008: GM extends holiday in Spring Hill due to production slowdown
- Nov. 18, 2008: Automakers plead for $25 billion lifeline
- Nov. 7, 2008: Spring Hill avoids GM layoffs, for the most part
