Local 798 Celebrates 25 Years Making GM Vehicles

Dayton, Ohio

The only General Motors assembly plant in the Division celebrated 25 years of making great vehicles with a weekend-long celebration that welcomed the community into the plant and honored the members of Local 798 for turning out quality SUVs.

In ceremonies August 24, IUE-CWA President Jim Clark praised the local's leadership and membership for a commitment to keeping the lines rolling.

"These members do everything that is asked of them. They are innovative and courageous," said Clark.

Contract negotiations start this fall.

The one dark cloud behind the celebration is that GM has yet to name a successor product for the plant.

The plant produces the Isuzu Ascender, GMC Envoy Denali, Saab 9-7X and Trailblazer SS. Some 2,300 members work two shifts producing a vehicle a minute. About a year ago a third shift was dropped.

"We've reiterated that we want something to secure our longevity at this facility," said Clark. He has met with GM CEO Rick Wagoner to discuss the plant's future.

Though the truck and bus plant hit a quarter of a century in late August, the facility has a much longer history.

Pre-1919, the site was part of the Dayton Wright Airplane Company and manufactured the only U.S. airplanes used in World War I.

In 1919, General Motors bought the facility and started producing Frigidaire refrigerators. During World War II, the plant was converted to military production, including machine guns, aircraft hydraulics and propellers.

In 1948, IUE was elected as the workers' representative. By that time the plant was making home laundry products and air conditioners, Thirty years later GM sold the home appliance business and transitioned to S-10 trucks. In 1990, members built their first SUV.

The Division bought an engine as a raffle prize for charity during the weekend festivities, which ran the gamut from inflatables for children to a car show.

So while the weekend was a time to garner praise, on Monday the local was ready to start laying the groundwork for the next 25 years.

"There is a long list of awards we have won for quality," said Local 798 Shop Chairman Mike Hall. "This plant, this membership, has always been very dedicated to doing a quality job."