Union lobbies for investment in former Delphi Howland plant
The union representing workers at a former Delphi Automotive plant in Howland Township say they're working to ensure the future of jobs for their members by attempting to snag investment in new equipment.
The union representing workers at a former Delphi Automotive plant in Howland Township say they're working to ensure the future of jobs for their members by attempting to snag investment in new equipment.
According to a letter distributed to members of the International Union of Electrical Workers–Communications Workers of America Local 717, union leaders met over the weekend with the management of APTIV Corporation in Troy, Michigan to lobby for new metal stamping machinery at Plant 11 on North River Road NE.
APTIV is the new name for Delphi Automotive, which Delphi spun off earlier this year.
The letter says union president Kevin Thomas and shop chairman Kevin Thomas joined two other union executives discussed the possibility of APTIV investing in its metal stamping operations.
The union says APTIV has stamping plants in Asia, France, Germany, Mexico, as well as Plant 11 in Howland. Union leaders say the Howland plant has some of the oldest machinery within the entire corporation.
According to the letter, the union bargaining committee and international staff are working to get the potential investment in the shortest amount of time possible and have scheduled meetings as early as next week.
The letter, signed by Lutz and Thomas acknowledged the possibility that some members may have doubts about getting the new equipment.
“We have been verbally promised things in the recent past in Plant 11, so there is a fair amount of skepticism on the local union's side,” the letter reads. “But please make no mistake, IUE/CWA Local 717 will always work to further secure and grow our entire membership!”
The union leaders are encouraging members to attend monthly meetings to learn more about possible developments in efforts to bring the investment.