JANESVILLE - The U.S. automotive sales slump worked its way to Janesville Monday when General Motors Corp. told workers that it would cease operations at a sport utility vehicle factory there in December.
GM spokesman Chris Lee said the plant's 1,200 workers represented by the United Auto Workers were told the factory would be shuttered Dec. 23, earlier than GM had expected.
Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Madison said the news is "a setback for the Janesville GM workers, their families and the entire Rock County community."
"The loss of these jobs will compound the financial strain that families are already facing," she said.
State Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, said in a news release this morning that he is "extremely disappointed" in GM's announcement.
"Sadly, the closing comes right before the holidays," Davis said, "and is terrible timing for families already facing challenging times with a weak national economy."
GM announced in June it would idle the Janesville plant and three others making SUVs and trucks by 2010. Then last week GM said one of the four, in Moraine, Ohio, would close Dec. 23.
U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wisconsin, said if the plant closes earlier than planned, it will be devastating.
"This is a dark day for Janesville and a dark time for America as the economy struggles," Kohl said. "General Motors' plant has been a central part of this community for generations, and its closing will have devastating consequences."
Presidential candidates also shared their thoughts. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he's disappointed to hear about the upcoming closure of General Motors plants, which may include the site at Janesville.
His campaign released a statement Saturday saying hardworking people are paying the price because the country's leaders have put corruption and greed before Main Street's interests.
He says he supported loan guarantees to the auto industry, and will continue to encourage American car companies to build the car of the 21st century.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, also shared thoughts.
"Reports that the GM plant I visited in Janesville may shut down sooner than expected are a painful reminder of the tough economic times facing working families across this country," Obama said in a statement released by his Wisconsin campaign organization.
"This news is also a reminder that Washington needs to finally live up to its promise to help our automakers compete in our global economy. As president, I will lead an effort to retool plants like the GM facility in Janesville so we can build the fuel-efficient cars of tomorrow and create good-paying jobs in Wisconsin and all across America."
Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan said GM hasn't ruled out a proposal from state, local and union leaders to make other vehicles in Janesville, and Baldwin said she hoped that incentive package could succeed.
"We worked together and delivered a package that General Motors is still seriously considering," Doyle said. "I have received assurances from General Motors that any announcement is not a response to the incentive package we delivered to them last month, and that they will continue to consider our package."
Ryan said the possible acceleration of the plant closing was "obviously disappointing news, but not surprising given the dropoff of sales of sports utility vehicles."
Still, "I'm encouraged that GM is willing to continue a dialogue" about the incentive package.
The Janesville plant makes Chevy Suburbans and Tahoes and GMC Yukon and Denali SUVs. It opened in 1919 and is GM's oldest.
Davis encouraged those in his district impacted by the closing to contact his office for assistance. There are resources available for displaced workers, he said, including the recent announcement of $3.8 million in employee training assistance that will be available through the Rock County Job Center.
"I will continue to work with officials at the state and federal level to ensure we are doing everything possible to rebuild our job market in the area," Davis said.
GM spokesman Chris Lee said the plant's 1,200 workers represented by the United Auto Workers were told the factory would be shuttered Dec. 23, earlier than GM had expected.
Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Madison said the news is "a setback for the Janesville GM workers, their families and the entire Rock County community."
"The loss of these jobs will compound the financial strain that families are already facing," she said.
State Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, said in a news release this morning that he is "extremely disappointed" in GM's announcement.
"Sadly, the closing comes right before the holidays," Davis said, "and is terrible timing for families already facing challenging times with a weak national economy."
GM announced in June it would idle the Janesville plant and three others making SUVs and trucks by 2010. Then last week GM said one of the four, in Moraine, Ohio, would close Dec. 23.
U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wisconsin, said if the plant closes earlier than planned, it will be devastating.
"This is a dark day for Janesville and a dark time for America as the economy struggles," Kohl said. "General Motors' plant has been a central part of this community for generations, and its closing will have devastating consequences."
Presidential candidates also shared their thoughts. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he's disappointed to hear about the upcoming closure of General Motors plants, which may include the site at Janesville.
His campaign released a statement Saturday saying hardworking people are paying the price because the country's leaders have put corruption and greed before Main Street's interests.
He says he supported loan guarantees to the auto industry, and will continue to encourage American car companies to build the car of the 21st century.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, also shared thoughts.
"Reports that the GM plant I visited in Janesville may shut down sooner than expected are a painful reminder of the tough economic times facing working families across this country," Obama said in a statement released by his Wisconsin campaign organization.
"This news is also a reminder that Washington needs to finally live up to its promise to help our automakers compete in our global economy. As president, I will lead an effort to retool plants like the GM facility in Janesville so we can build the fuel-efficient cars of tomorrow and create good-paying jobs in Wisconsin and all across America."
Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan said GM hasn't ruled out a proposal from state, local and union leaders to make other vehicles in Janesville, and Baldwin said she hoped that incentive package could succeed.
"We worked together and delivered a package that General Motors is still seriously considering," Doyle said. "I have received assurances from General Motors that any announcement is not a response to the incentive package we delivered to them last month, and that they will continue to consider our package."
Ryan said the possible acceleration of the plant closing was "obviously disappointing news, but not surprising given the dropoff of sales of sports utility vehicles."
Still, "I'm encouraged that GM is willing to continue a dialogue" about the incentive package.
The Janesville plant makes Chevy Suburbans and Tahoes and GMC Yukon and Denali SUVs. It opened in 1919 and is GM's oldest.
Davis encouraged those in his district impacted by the closing to contact his office for assistance. There are resources available for displaced workers, he said, including the recent announcement of $3.8 million in employee training assistance that will be available through the Rock County Job Center.
"I will continue to work with officials at the state and federal level to ensure we are doing everything possible to rebuild our job market in the area," Davis said.