Auto parts supplier sends WARN notice about layoffs

OWOSSO, Mich. (WNEM) - As the United Autoworkers (UAW) union continues its strike against the Detroit automakers, the ripple effect is already being felt in the community.

CIE Newcor, an automotive components manufacturer with plants in Owosso and Corunna, filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining (WARN) notification announcing plans to lay off nearly 300 employees.

“It’s not 300 people, it’s 300 probably families. So, if you times that by three, now you’re 900 to 1,000 people. The community of Owosso is 14,000, so that’s a pretty big percentage,” said Owosso Mayor Robert Teich.

On Thursday, Sept. 14, the company said a temporary closure is possible, but it will depend on how long UAW the strikes last.

The notice said the layoffs are expected to begin on Oct. 2 and last one month.

The WARN notice said the following sites could be affected:

• CIE Newcor, FEIN 38-065770: 1021 N. Shiawassee, Corunna, MI 48817
• Machine Tool & Gear, Inc. Plant 1, FEIN 45-0497063: 1021 N. Shiawassee, Corunna, MI 48817
• Machine Tool & Gear, Inc. Plant 2, FEIN 45-0497063: 401 S. Chestnut, Owosso, MI 48867
• Rochester Gear, Inc., FEIN 38-2379349: 9900 Main Street, Clifford, MI 48727

The job titles of positions and numbers of affected employees are as follows:

• Machine Operators (151)
• Janitor (6)
• Tool Crib Attendant (6)
• Truck Driver (2)
• Team Leader (20)
• Hi-Lo Drivers (18)
• Quality Department (32)
• Heat Treat Department (9)
• Manufacturing Tech (22)
• Team Facilitator (12)
• PM Specialist (3)
• Maintenance (12)

Owosso officials said this is happening at a time that is bad for the local economy.

“If you’re not making the funds, you are going to budget and spending will be less. And so yes, I would say it would affect the small businesses of Owosso. They depend on good-paying jobs,” Teich said.

Susan J. Osika, Owosso mayor pro tem, said the effects will be felt by how people choose to spend their money.

“I have a lot of friends who own businesses in the downtown and they are just getting off their summer hours where their sales have been slower, so they’re gearing up right now for the holiday season,” she said. “And with that company laying off and having so many employees that do live in this community, I feel we will see the effect as far as how they spend their money.”

Officials said the community will rally together to help those who have lost their jobs and the small businesses in the area.

TV5 reached out to CIE Newcor but was unable to reach anyone.

Read next:

There’s a chance you’ll see the Northern Lights tonight

Two people killed in Flint Twp. apartment shooting

11-year-old boy shot while riding bike, police say

Body washes ashore on island in Arenac Co.

Subscribe to the TV5 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every day.

Copyright 2023 WNEM. All rights reserved.