General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler will resume operations at all of their Michigan auto plants by mid-June, the companies have announced. The phased-in startup for auto manufacturers will begin the week of May 18 when thousands of employees will be allowed back on the job.
Michigan has provided safety guidelines for the auto manufacturers to follow, with requirements that must be in place when the plants reopen. Total production is expected to be underway by mid-June, the Columbia Daily Herald said.
Michigan’s auto plants and parts manufacturers were shut down in March because of COVID-19. Some plants that are making ventilators and personal protective equipment were permitted to continue operation, as those products are considered essential.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s statewide shutdown order for nonessential businesses has been extended until May 28. However, an exception was made for manufacturing.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has approved the May 18 startup date for all three of Michigan’s auto manufacturers, Car and Driver Magazine reported.
“We all knew this day would come,” UAW President Rory Gamble said in a statement given to Car and Driver. “Our UAW focus and role is, and will continue to be, on health and safety protocols to protect our members."
The Detroit Three automakers -- GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler -- have been working with the UAW on manufacturing safety planning. Some of the measures that the plants will adopt are limited designated entries and screenings for anyone entering the facilities, The Detroit Free Press reported.
Unless a person is deemed an essential visitor or worker, they will not be allowed to enter the plants. Workers will have their temperatures taken and be required to fill out questionnaires when they come to work, the Detroit Free Press reported. Tours of the plants have been cancelled.
“The important thing is that everyone has clear guidance and a process for returning to work,”Jim Cain, a GM spokesman, told the Detroit Free Press.
On Facebook, GM told employees that it will use contract tracing to find employees who may have been exposed to the virus. If GM's medical team identifies someone who has been potentially exposed to the coronavirus at a plant, the employee will be required to self-quarantine and will be paid up to 40 straight-time hours per week for up to two weeks to stay home, MLive reported.
Factories have been testing safety protocols in the plants that have remained in operation to produce PPE and ventilators, Car and Driver said.
Manufacturing accounts for about 19% of Michigan’s economy. Whitmer allowed Michigan auto parts manufacturers to resume production on May 11 to ramp up for the opening of the auto manufacturing plants.
Alerts Sign-up