COLUMBUS – The shuttered General Motors assembly plant in Lordstown has become a rallying point in the political debate over Republican President Donald Trump’s economic policies.
Trump blames the United Auto Workers union for the idling of the plant and its 1,700 workers; Democrats like Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown blame Trump, and everybody blames GM.
Brown fired back at the president after Trump criticized the UAW for contributing to the conditions that prompted GM to close the plant, calling the comments “disgraceful.”
Mary Barra owes the workers from this highly productive plant an explanation for her comments. Instead of fighting to save these jobs, the President decided to side with corporations & give companies like GM massive tax breaks to shut down American factories & ship jobs overseas. https://t.co/fIfKSiNwxC
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) March 18, 2019
Trump disclosed in a Sunday evening tweet that he spoke to General Motors CEO Mary Barra to vent his frustration about the automaker’s closure of the plant while the U.S. economy continues to fare well. That followed earlier posts during the weekend that criticized GM and urged the company to reopen the plant or find a new owner quickly.
But the president also took a swipe at the UAW.
Democrat UAW Local 1112 President David Green ought to get his act together and produce. G.M. let our Country down, but other much better car companies are coming into the U.S. in droves. I want action on Lordstown fast. Stop complaining and get the job done! 3.8% Unemployment!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2019
GM said in a statement released Sunday evening that the future of plants scheduled to be closed “will be resolved between GM and the UAW.”
The automaker also says that it has “opportunities available for virtually all impacted employees” at plants that are to be shuttered.
“We remain open to talking with all the affected stakeholders, but our main focus remains on our employees and offering them jobs in our plants where we have growth opportunities,” the company said.
Trump said he reiterated to Barra that GM should do something quickly, including potentially selling the plant.
The last Chevrolet Cruze rolled off the assembly line at the Lordstown plant on March 6.