GM Announces Temporary Layoffs at Kansas Plant

General Motors (GM) has announced a series of layoffs affecting 1,695 workers at its Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas, beginning with 680 employees on November 18 due to the cessation of Chevrolet Malibu production. This decision is part of a $390 million investment to retool the plant for the new Chevrolet Bolt EV, with production expected to resume in mid-2025. Following the initial layoff, an additional 759 full-time workers will be temporarily laid off starting January 12, 2025, coinciding with a pause in Cadillac XT4 production. GM had communicated the phased layoffs to employees earlier this year, aligning with its strategic shift towards electric vehicle production. The affected employees will receive support under the UAW-GM agreement, as confirmed by GM spokespersons. The Fairfax plant, which currently employs 2,275 workers, has been preparing for these changes since the investment announcement in May.