Thousands of auto workers turned out today to rally at the Chrysler Plant in Fenton. They want the plant to re-open. Is it a pipe dream? Some say yes, but others disagree. They are still holding out hope that cars will once again be coming out of the plant one day.

I was talking to one former Chrysler worker at the rally. He's 47 years old. He said on the last day the plant was open he had younger workers coming up to him and asking what would happen to them. He said he had no idea what to tell them. He didn't know what was going to happen to himself, much less others. He said, "What's an old warhorse like myself going to do?" He's at that age in life where it's going to be difficult to land another job. The union was pointing out that there are programs for retraining workers. That's great and you have to hope they'll take advantage of whatever's out there to find work. But they also pointed out that it's going to be tough to find a new job in a state with unemployment hovering around 9%.

2 Comments

Looking for work said:

Someone needs to ask Chrysler where is ALL of the 2010 1500 Reg cab going to be built. What about the 8 foot bed? If it's Mexico then that is wrong!

July 24, 2009 6:44 PM

CHUCKtheFED said:

It was a great turn out, and it is a shame, as was stated during the event, that Congressmen and Senators are there to take the silver shovel pat on the back when plants open, but can't find the time, on a Friday, with a weekend as a buffer...to stand with these people, at a time when they are really needed.
I hope ALL remember the next election.
It is a supreme shame that we cannot vote AFTER we find out that our representatives don't represent, as to whether they are fired, and so do not deserve a PENSION.

July 24, 2009 10:33 PM

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