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8 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, January 30, 2001 NES NRT A VAR or ge Pe > "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Slowing sales force layoffs at GM plants By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Slowing sales have forced General Motors of Canada to cut vehicle production, resulting in the temporary layoff of about 5,000 workers at the two Oshawa car plants. Beginning yesterday, the country's largest auto maker sent home approx- imately 2,500 employees for,the week of Jan. 29. Those workers includ- ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES ed the men and women who work at Oshawa's Plant Two, which pro- duces the Buick Regal and Century, as well as Chevrolet Lumina mod- els. Employees at Plant Two will also be laid off for the week of Feb. 26 and March 12. And 2,500 Plant One workers, who manufac- ture the Chev Monte Carlo and Impala, will be sent home for the week of Feb. 26. 279 Queen St, (opposite IGA) 985-2775 Downtown Port Perry ANNE TATBI DIST E60] BB DICH Hi 1 615) Oh The reason for layoffs is simply the law of sup- ply and demand, says GMC spokesperson Stew Low. "We want to make sure the inventories in the field at dealers are kept tightly in line with the market demand," he said last week. "We want to watch the inventory levels. It costs extra money to have the product sit on dealer lots, to have in excess of what nase ANTIQUES & COLLE the market demands." The layoff announce- ment comes after GM posted record sales num- bers for 2000. However, Mr. Low admitted that sales sagged during the later months of 2000, and that trend has carried over into 2001. Even with a slow start this year, he expects GM to sell more than 1.6 mil- lion vehicles in Canada and a further 16 million MB IRIVI DIS re SR IES & COLLECTIBLES To eat, drink & have a good time with friends & family GREAT Foob. GREAT ATMOSPHERE. 2885 Altona Road, Pickering (905, ) 472-3085 "Natalie Needs A Nightie" Starts February 9/2001 Enjoy great food and fabulous entertainment tn our rustic and cozy 100 year old dairy barn at prices that can't be beat! Dinner and show starts at $38.95 per person (incl. all tax) 16-18 Over 160 ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES at Landfall Farm ) Zi March ANTIQUES ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS DESIGN ELEMENTS "from the traditional to the outrageous" 223 Queen Street, Port Perry 905-985-4672 units in the United States. "We're still going to have a very decent year. 2000 was an exception to the rule; we gained momentum through 2000, and hopefully that will carry over into a strong 2001," said Mr. Low. He would not com- ment on the possibility of any further layoffs. "We'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it. We have to make sure inventory is just right." Employees at the two local plants will receive up to 65 per cent of their gross pay during their down time through com- pany benefits and employment insurance, said Mr. Low. "They've accepted it, that it's part of the busi- ness," he said of the employees' reactions. "They have benefits built into their contract. They understand that this is a cyclical business, and that sometimes it's nec- essary to take weeks of work out of the produc- tion schedule." . Workers at the Oshawa truck plant, which pro- duces the popular Chev Silverado and GMC full- size Sierra, will not be affected by the layoffs. But GM has already elim- inated overtime at all of its Canadian operations. The auto maker has already issued temporary layoffs for the Chev Camaro/Pontiac Firebird plant in Quebec and at an Ontario parts plant. Each Oshawa car plant manufactures up to 1,200 vehicles each day. The truck plant produces more than 1,300 units per day. Can you help The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation is looking for volunteers to help with their upcoming special event, the Durham Region Heel "n' Wheel-a-Thon. with event? Different volunteer oppor- tunities are available. For more information please call Mark Wright toll free at 1-877-338-7426 or email: mwright@ccfc.ca. ® ATM MACHINE ® FREE PARKING (2 & older) Exhibitors! & HOURLY DOOR PRIZES & FREE CHILD CARE CENTRE ® COAT & PARCEL CHECK MARKHAM FAIRGROUNDS McCowan Road, 7 Km. N. of Hwy. 7 Ph: (905) 649-2480 www.countrydecorating.to & DINNER SPECIALS DESIGN for Urban Style 146 Queen Street, Port Perry "7 905 ¢ 985» 0060 (7 ANTIQUE PINE FURNITURE Exclusive Harvest Tables e Pine Entertainment Centres ® Old & New Nautical * Decorating Accessories : oN 160 Queen Street, Port Perry 985-8902 Sandbox Buddy Marlyn From Your New Patients' Smiles Always Welcome «Dr. J. Cottrell «Dr. J. Hardy «Dr. L. Gideon «Dr. C. Banfield + Dr, L. Poranganel + Dr. H. Dewar «Dr. T. King (Orthodontist) » Dr. T. Mcintyre (Periodontist) --'Today's Smile... -- It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop. Dental Care For The Entire Family L Evening & Saturday @Y Appointments Available Please Call 985-8451 Visit our website: www.iluvmydentist.com 238 Queen Street. Port Pern J Bm