WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |GM to offer buyouts to Spring Hill workers

GM to offer buyouts to Spring Hill workers

Financially-strapped General Motors is expected to offer around 1,000 workers at their facility in Spring Hill a buyout.

The United Auto Workers said GM will offer employees $20,000 to leave the company and a $25,000 voucher for a new vehicle.

"I think people are going to take a look at what the plan has to offer and if it's something that is beneficial to them and their family then they will go ahead and go," local UAW Chair Michael Herron told News 2.

He and Local UAW President Mike O'Rourke plan to hold three information sessions Friday and three more on Monday when they get additional details about the GM buyout.

They estimate about a third of the Spring Hill plant's 3,000-member workforce will be affected with younger, cheaper workers replacing older, more expensive ones.

"Long story short, I do think it will provide for some young folks down the road," said Herron

Tito Solis and Terry Collyer have spent much of their working lives with GM and most of the last two decades at the Spring Hill facility.

"I am hoping it's a good one, if it's a good one, I am ready to retire," said Solis, who said he was not surprised by the buyout that targets older workers near retirement.

"If I get a nice buyout I'll go," said Collyer.  "It probably depends on how much I get, been with the company almost 33 years, but got-a-ways to go until Social Security."

Even before the buyout announcement, Solis and Collyer were making plans for the future.

The two were on their way to an electrical class Tuesday as they heard the news about the buyout.

GM workers have until March 24 to take the buyout.  The workforce will be trimmed April 1.

• 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. 7, 2008: Spring Hill avoids GM layoffs, for the most part