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FENTON, MO (KTVI - FOX2now.com) -
Heavy clouds matched the mood inside Chrysler's truck plant in Fenton Friday. It was the last day at the one time bustling plant. Quality control staff, electricians and clean-up crew were among the few remaining on duty to mark the last day. About five hundred finished work last week after Chrysler ordered the closing of its five star facility.
UAW leaders complained to anyone who would listen that it was patently unfair for Chrysler to take $12 billion in taxpayer assistance while shutting American auto plants and leaving factories in Canada and Mexico open. "We're gonna lose businesses, tax dollars; schools are gonna be short and the workers from Fenton are gonna be displaced," predicted UAW Local 136 vice president Don Griffin.
Workers and retirees who visited the plant Friday described the mood as funeral like. UAW member Camus Crawford has fourteen and a half years under his belt at the plant. But that is not enough to retire. "Everybody is walking around in limbo not knowing what to expect," he said. "It's very somber in there right now," he added.
Retiree Jim Whittemore drove from Festus to take one last look at the company where he spent much of his working life. His eyes welled up as he spoke about younger workers who may not find another good paying job. "If you don't have a college education of some type, it's gonna be rough for you," Whittemore warned.
Keith Kitcher took early retirement but admitted he was not ready to retire and will probably have to find another job. Kircher and others lamented that their jobs are going to the plant in Mexico. But Chrysler has denied that.
"It's not a very good day," concluded UAW officer Griffin. He plans to participate in a jobs rally July 24th outside the plant. UAW members and other uniion workers will meet at 1pm to protest the nation's failure to keep jobs from moving abroad.
For more information about the rally see www.savemojobs.com
UAW leaders complained to anyone who would listen that it was patently unfair for Chrysler to take $12 billion in taxpayer assistance while shutting American auto plants and leaving factories in Canada and Mexico open. "We're gonna lose businesses, tax dollars; schools are gonna be short and the workers from Fenton are gonna be displaced," predicted UAW Local 136 vice president Don Griffin.
Workers and retirees who visited the plant Friday described the mood as funeral like. UAW member Camus Crawford has fourteen and a half years under his belt at the plant. But that is not enough to retire. "Everybody is walking around in limbo not knowing what to expect," he said. "It's very somber in there right now," he added.
Retiree Jim Whittemore drove from Festus to take one last look at the company where he spent much of his working life. His eyes welled up as he spoke about younger workers who may not find another good paying job. "If you don't have a college education of some type, it's gonna be rough for you," Whittemore warned.
Keith Kitcher took early retirement but admitted he was not ready to retire and will probably have to find another job. Kircher and others lamented that their jobs are going to the plant in Mexico. But Chrysler has denied that.
"It's not a very good day," concluded UAW officer Griffin. He plans to participate in a jobs rally July 24th outside the plant. UAW members and other uniion workers will meet at 1pm to protest the nation's failure to keep jobs from moving abroad.
For more information about the rally see www.savemojobs.com
