GM is implementing mandatory Sunday overtime to meet the demand for Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD.
General Motors and the United Auto Workers have agreed to mandatory Sunday overtime at the General Motors pickup truck plant in Flint, Michigan, to keep pace with demand for GM’s heavy-duty Chevrolet and GMC pickup trucks, according to a memo signed by both company and UAW representative from UAW Local 598.
“As we mentioned prior to entering into emergency status at the end of last year, we are facing an extraordinary challenge – customer demand for our HD truck continues to increase but dealer stocks have not stabilized,” said the memo signed by Erik Pelton, the plant manager, and Mike Perez, Local 598’s plant chairman.
“Due to the continued competitive pressure in the heavy-duty market from Ford and FCA, we are announcing additional, mandatory shifts for the coming week.
(Chevrolet amps up things in heavy duty war with Silverado HD debut)
“In an effort to better balance the needs of the business and the needs of team members, we are scheduling the needs of the business, we are scheduling mandatory shifts each Sunday for the next several weeks,” it continued.
General Motors President Mark Reuss talks about the $150 million investment the Flint Assembly plant last summer.
The memo continued each of the plants three shifts will work one Sunday, on a rotating basis, each weekend into April, the company and the union memo, which was posted in the plant and distributed to union members.
“We believe this step, along with meeting our daily production and quality targets, is an essential step to help secure the future of Flint assembly,” the memo said.
(Ram takes No. 2 spot in pickup sales from Chevy Silverado)
The Flint assembly plant has been working a heavy overtime schedule since the UAW’s 40-day strike against GM ended at the end of October. The overtime schedule has included mandatory weekend overtime.
The heavy-duty pick-up trucks built at Flint Assembly are among the most profitable vehicles in the GM product line and GM had been in the middle of ramping up production of new models when the UAW’s strike began in mid-September.
GM is ramping up its heavy-duty truck production.
Meanwhile, GM has been facing heavy pressure from rivals. FCA’s Ram pickups, including the heavy-duty version, actually outsold Chevrolet pick-ups in 2019.
(GM rams $150 million into Flint plant to up HD truck production)
Ram’s success also has meant that FCA has more money available to spend on incentives and advertising, increasing the pressure on GM and the Chevrolet and GMC brands.