Tag: “White Marsh GM”

Olszewski Urges General Motors to Retain White Marsh Manufacturing Jobs


County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. reached out to the head of General Motors (GM) to emphasize the value of the state-of-the-art White Marsh manufacturing facility, both to GM and to the Baltimore region, after it was announced that the White Marsh plant is closing. In a letter sent on Dec. 11, he called on GM Chairman and CEO Mary Teresa Barra to find a product or alternate use for the plant that will keep all of its 300 high-performing employees working.

“We know that Eastern Baltimore County is one of the most competitive areas for manufacturing on the East Coast with our highly skilled workforce and proximity to transportation networks,” Olszewski said. “I wanted to make sure that the leadership at GM understands the importance and value of this facility to their bottom line and to Baltimore County.”

The full text of his letter is below:
December 11, 2018
Ms. Mary Teresa Barra
Chairman and CEO
General Motors Company
300 Renaissance Center
Detroit, Michigan 48243
Dear Ms. Barra,
As the newly-elected County Executive of Baltimore County, I was shocked to learn about General Motors’ (GM) decision to cease production at GM’s White Marsh facility. This facility has been an anchor and source of pride within our County since it opened in 2000. The facility’s importance to the region became even more significant upon the opening of the $245 million electric motor facility in 2012. Hundreds of millions of federal, state, and local dollars have been invested since its opening and it has been lauded as a “state of the art” facility that embodied American resiliency in the wake of the great recession.
As you know, our region has strong and deep roots in manufacturing. Our proximity to major highway and rail networks and the Port of Baltimore has made eastern Baltimore County one of the most significant areas for logistics and manufacturing – and we continue to remain competitive. We attract talented and qualified workers and have demonstrated our commitment to embracing 21st century workforce solutions through bolstering trades, job training and workforce development. And we will continue to do so.
Therefore I respectfully request that GM find a product or alternative use for the plant that will keep all 300 of those employees working in Baltimore County. I understand that according to GM’s own corporate metrics, the employees at White Marsh are among the top performers across the entire company. Furthermore, I understand these employees have had very few grievances with GM management. The facility is both modern and effective, and I know these hard-working men and women remain committed to achieving high performance standards.
If GM does not reverse the decision to cease production in White Marsh, we must work collectively with our state and federal partners to do everything we can for the employees and families impacted. As such, I have asked my team to immediately engage with local GM and United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 239 in an effort to protect the career-paths of affected GM workers. At my direction, Baltimore County’s Department of Workforce and Economic Development will serve as the central agency responsible for communications, coordination with area employers interested in recruiting GM workers, and hosting career fairs. We will also offer workshops and direct career counseling, assist with resume development, interview preparation, and other unemployment essentials.
Earlier this week, a team of economic and workforce development professionals from my administration met with GM’s human resource manager, Erin Spitzer, to discuss collaboration on these efforts. I have every confidence that we will continue to have GM’s cooperation and partnership in these efforts.
While we are bracing for a possible closure, I would like to reiterate my strong request to maintain operations at the White Marsh facility. As soon as possible, I invite you and/or members of your senior leadership team to join me in a tour of the White Marsh operation to observe the world-class operation there firsthand. I am available to discuss this matter at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

John Olszewski, Jr.
County Executive

White Marsh GM Plant, Don Pablo’s & Red’s Market to Close


It was a rough day for local businesses in eastern Baltimore County as the General Motors (GM) plant in White Marsh, Don Pablo’s in the Avenue and Red’s Market in Kingsville all announced they are closing their doors.

In a press release from GM, it announced that the White Marsh plant and a plant in Michigan will be “unallocated in 2019”. The White Marsh powertrain plant on Philadelphia Road opened in 2000 and GM reported it has over 300 employees.

Many local officials were upset with the news and released statements on the GM closure.
“Baltimore County stands with the workers and their families who are part of a decades-long GM manufacturing legacy in Baltimore, from advanced hybrid motors in White Marsh to vehicle production at Broening Highway. Our workers are second to none,” said interim-Baltimore County Executive Don Mohler.
“The county’s workforce development team is available immediately to assist with job and career counseling services for the 300 GM workers whose jobs will be affected next year. The Eastpoint Career Center will help match GM workers with other employers looking for their skills in advanced manufacturing and connect them to training and job search workshops.”

Congressman C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger was also not happy with GM’s decision.
“This plant has always been a source of pride for the Second District, Baltimore County and me, personally. It’s a modern manufacturing facility with a workforce to match and we are not ready to close this door yet. In the meantime, we stand ready to assist affected workers any way we can,” Ruppersberger said.

The owners of Red’s Market on Belair Road in Kingsville also announced their closure due to a leasing dispute.
“With the saddest of hearts we have an announcement: REDS MUST CLOSE it’s DOORS.
Where Mr. Kurrle loved the store and considered us partners, the children that inherited the store, not so much,” said a social media statement from the Red’s Market Facebook page.
“On November 16th the new landlords sent us an email via their lawyer stating, ‘we will not negotiate a new lease’. To say this was a shock, is an understatement. We are only given six weeks [Dec. 31] to exit and close the business we love and worked so hard to create.”

Councilman David Marks, who represents the Kingsville area, hopes that Red’s will find a new home before the end of the year
“It’s always a shame to lose a small-town business, one valued by so many customers. I talked to Mike Tull with Red’s Market and offered my assistance – as I would provide to any business. I am optimistic that they will find a location,” said Marks.

In addition, multiple outlets on social media have posted a note on the doors at the Don Pablo’s in the Avenue that reported the closure of the Tex-Mex restaurant.