|
May 1, 2009
LaTourette statement on Chrysler's Twinsburg Plant
I am beyond disappointed and have been assured repeatedly that the Twinsburg plant would be spared, as recently as yesterday. I feel horrible for the workers, their families and the city of Twinsburg. This is simply wrong and you don’t toy with people’s lives and jobs like this.
I was briefed yesterday by top administration officials prior to the President’s national address about the future of Chrysler. Members of Congress on the call were assured that there would be no permanent plant closings, but the idling of some plants for 30-60 days could be announced later in the day by Chrysler. We were also assured that no jobs would be lost.
I also had a conference call yesterday with Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli, and he was asked specifically about plant closings in Ohio and Wisconsin, and the message was the same – no plant closings, no job losses. This was one of many discussions I’ve had with Administration, Chrysler and Fiat officials in recent weeks.
Shortly after the Administration conference call, the President described the bankruptcy this way to the American people: “It will not disrupt the lives of the people who work at Chrysler or live in communities that depend on it.” Less than 24 hours later, a bankruptcy filing indicates that Chrysler intends to close five plants, including the Twinsburg Stamping Plant in 2010, greatly harming the city and leaving 1,000 workers without jobs.
|