On July 24, 2015, Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) announced it will end US production in November 2015.  This announcement shocked UAW 2488 members and the surrounding communities.  What makes it more difficult is that there was no advanced warning.  In fact, members recently received a union-negotiated Team-share bonus and the company just hired some new employees.

The news of the decision that would end UAW members’ careers was first reported by Japan’s Nikkei news service on July 23, and spread quickly on social media.  Some members felt the intent of the report was to influence the upcoming contract negotiations, as the current collective bargaining agreement between MMNA and UAW Local 2488 is set to expire on August 28, 2015. However, as I reviewed the article, and talked with others, my gut told me that there was something different about this report.
Did we miss clues that foreshadowed Mitsubishi’s decision?  Over the past few months online news stories had speculated about the plant closing.  Additionally, forecasted production schedules released by the company had changed dramatically compared to what we were given earlier in the year. 

The announcement of a plant-wide meeting Friday morning at 9:00 am was accompanied by many emotions.  Ironically, the meeting was set to take place in the very space in the plant where we have celebrated major company milestones; where job 1 was delivered to State of Illinois, new model launches, and much later the 1 millionth, 2 millionth, and 3 millionth cars.  

Now the final milestone - the end of production and the idling of the plant.   MMNA President & CEO Ryosuke Kagimoto approached the podium to deliver the news of Mitsubishi’s decision to end production at the plant in November of this year. His words were at times choppy and emotional as he read through the prepared statement formally announcing the plant closing, and an outline of how operations would wind down at the plant and were now trying to find a buyer for the facility.

As I walked back to my work area, I saw many of my co-workers leaving the plant with the shock of the announcement still in their eyes. They were heading home to discuss the news with their significant others and their family, just as I would do. Throughout the day I found myself immersed in social media where many of my co-workers (or as I like to think of my extended family for over 26 years) vented their frustrations and condolences and commiserated about our shared experience.

Throughout my journey with Mitsubishi Motors, my union, the UAW, has given us codetermination in the workplace. The UAW negotiated wages and benefits gave us the ability to provide for our families, engage in our communities, and build lasting relationships through working together side by side both inside and outside of the plant. Now more than ever I put my trust in my union to bring us a fair and equitable settlement as we come to this unexpected end to our journey.

by Ralph Timan, past UAW 2488 President, Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly financial secretary and 26+ year UAW member.