The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend on Monday joined more than 40 Roman Catholic entities around the nation in taking to court long-standing complaints about President Obama's insurance-coverage mandates.Even as it slashes jobs and closes plants, General Motors Corp. is upgrading its Allen County pickup truck plant so it can expand its product line.
Company officials announced at noon today that GM will retool production lines at the plant so they can make heavy-duty, extended-cab Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierras. The plant's 2,600 workers already make light-duty versions of the trucks.
When GM pitched the project to the Allen County Council last month, officials said it would allow the plant to retain 50 employees. But union officials have said the move likely will allow the plant to add workers in the coming years.
Heavy-duty pickups were made at GM's plant in Oshawa, Ontario, which closed in May. They're also made at the Pontiac, Mich., assembly plant, which is slated to close in October.
When GM announced its bankruptcy in June, company officials said they intended eliminating overcapacity by closing some plants and operating others on two and even three shifts.
A federal judge on Sunday approved the sale of GM's most valuable assets to a new company. It was a crucial step as the struggling automaker emerges from bankruptcy.
mschladen@jg.net
