SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) - Many employees at TRW Automotive’s braking facility in Saginaw worked their last shifts on Friday, the plant’s last production day.
“It’s a sad day. We worked hard,” Michael Sangster told The Saginaw News (https://bit.ly/1bSrhIn ) as he and other employees gathered at one of the plant’s exits before the 3 p.m. shift change. “We did everything every day. … This is how we get paid.”
TRW Automotive announced in December that it was closing the Saginaw plant and that the facility had been unsuccessful in gaining new business. The closing affects about 600 jobs.
“Some shipments of products to customers will continue next week, and work to decommission the site will continue for the next few months, but this is the last day worked for nearly all the employees,” company spokesman John Wilkerson told The Saginaw News on Friday.
The final shift ends at 11 p.m. Friday, Wilkerson added.
About 150 workers will help next week with the decommissioning.
TRW Automotive supplies automotive parts ranging from airbags to braking systems.
“It’s a tough day,” UAW Local 467 President Adolph Borrego said.
The union represents the plant’s workers. “For many of them, it’s the toughest day of their life,” Borrego said.
Sangster, who worked 14 years at the plant, said he had to sell his house in Midland and has since moved to Saginaw, where he is looking for a good-paying job.
“It’s hard. We want to continue to make living wages,” he said.
Tom Holubik was also searching for a new job after seven years at the plant.
“Everybody’s looking,” said Holubik, 41, of Saginaw Township. “That’s the name of the game - stay employed.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.