GM has 2,700 openings for workers at soon-to-be-closed plants

Dec. 14 (UPI) -- General Motors announced Friday it has 2,700 jobs available in other facilities to accommodate workers in plants that will soon be closed.

About 1,100 hourly workers have already volunteered to transfer to other plants, the company said.

In November, GM announced the closure of four manufacturing facilities in the United States and one in Canada by the end of 2019. The plan will leave about 14,000 union workers and salaried employees without jobs.

Eight plants, in Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas, were identified Friday as facilities in need of more employees. Any transferring worker would have tuition assistance and training opportunities available to them, GM said.

The company added it has "initiated efforts along with its dealers, local colleges and other employers to train and help secure jobs for impacted workers from the Oshawa Assembly Plant [in Canada] who are interested."

Of those whose jobs will be cut, about 1,200 are eligible to retire.

"Our focus remains on providing interested employees options to transition including job opportunities at other GM plants," GM CEO Mary Barra said. "We remain committed to working with local government officials, our unions and each individual to find appropriate opportunities for them."

The downsizing plan was viewed by some as a necessary step in remaining competitive in a rapidly changing industry. It also received criticism from President Donald Trump, union leaders and politicians in areas affected by the closures.