Recall at GM Powertrain may be delayed a month

4/22/2005

Union officials at General Motors Corp. Toledo Powertrain

plant expect recall of nearly 500 laid off workers to be delayed

for at least a month as the car maker struggles to trim rising

vehicle inventories.

The Alexis Road plant produces transmissions for GM s gas

guzzling sport-utility vehicles and pick-ups, whose sales have

been hurt by soaring fuel prices.

Furloughed workers were originally scheduled to be called

back Monday. But managers have extended layoffs until June 6, and the 3,600-worker factory is unlikely to return to full force before a traditional two-week shutdown starting July 4, said Bob Sykes, financial secretary of United Auto Workers Local 14.