Tenn. GM workers hold out hope for future

Associated Press – June 26, 2009 12:34 PM ET

SPRING HILL, Tenn. (AP) – Union leaders at General Motors’ manufacturing plant in Spring Hill say they see a future for the facility despite losing out on producing a new small car model to a plant in Michigan.

UAW Local 1853 Chairman Mike Herron says Spring Hill should remain in the running for future products because it is among the company’s most modern plants.

The plant recently underwent a $600 million overhaul.

Officials expect to build the Chevrolet Traverse crossover until just before Thanksgiving, at which point about 2,500 workers could face unemployment. Herron says the decision on the small car may spur more workers to agree to early retirement offers from the company.

GM is moving production of the Traverse to a a plant near Lansing.