ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — General Motors has all but rescinded a large planned layoff slated to take effect at its St. Catharines plants on Jan. 28.

Of 356 indefinite layoff notices issued last November, employees were told earlier this week just 26 would be let go, according to GM spokesman Richard James.

The sudden cancellation was due to, “stronger than anticipated production schedules.”

James adds that even though a number of employees elected to retire in February, some will be retained to meet the staffing requirements of a highly anticipated V-6 engine program.

Doug Orr, Canadian Auto Workers Local 199 chairman for the General Motors plants in St. Catharines, insists the actual number of layoffs will be 25, not 26 — 23 production workers and two skilled trades employees.

“Obviously, we’re very, very happy with the projections for the future,” he adds.
“When our employer told us about the layoffs, they based it on pure speculation, They couldn’t tell us the areas where they expected the mass volume reductions.”