Ohio Truck Plant Closure Leaves Over 1,300 Without Jobs Ahead of US Midterms
Truck production in Springfield, Ohio, was halted at the end of September, with more than 1,300 people losing their jobs. The closure is shaping moods ahead of the US midterm elections.
In Springfield, Ohio, a city of almost 60,000 residents, a truck manufacturing plant stopped production entirely at the end of September, leaving more than 1,300 people without work. The closure comes as US President Donald Trump has promised to bring industrial jobs back and strengthen domestic manufacturing, and ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections (congressional elections held midway through a presidential term), when the future of American industry remains a key issue for many voters. The situation was reported by Estonian public broadcaster ETV's programme "Aktuaalne kaamera".
From 10,000 jobs to halted production
At its peak, the plant had about 10,000 jobs. The number fell gradually over decades, and production was stopped after the plant's largest customer ended its cooperation with the company. Chris Blizzard, chairman of the UAW Local 402 union, said starting workers earned about $25 an hour, sometimes up to $33, which was very good pay compared with other industrial employers in the region. Many locals are unwilling to take jobs paying $19–20 an hour, so they are looking for work outside the region.
The closure has left entire families jobless. Former worker Jordan said both his fiancée, who worked at the plant for 12 years, and his mother, who worked there for more than 10 years, lost their jobs; he himself had worked there for five years.
Health insurance and the vote
In the US, losing a job can also mean losing health insurance. The union negotiated an agreement under which laid-off workers keep their coverage for six more months, but one month has already passed, said former worker Marianne.
Kyle, who voted for Trump three times, has now reconsidered his political preferences. In his view, Trump's role in the closure was fairly minor, but tariffs did not help; the plant was already struggling economically, and the whole industry was in a difficult position. Some of the laid-off workers are now campaigning for Democrats, visiting union members door to door and urging them to vote.
Springfield hopes for a revival of industrial jobs. The plant already has a new owner, but resuming production may take several years.
