Ohio automotive plants slate winter shutdowns

Several northwest Ohio automotive plants have either begun their winter shutdowns or will start next week.

Workers at Chrysler Group LLC's Toledo Assembly Complex will begin a shutdown Dec. 24, with workers in the Wrangler plant scheduled to return Jan. 3, and workers on the Jeep Liberty-Dodge Nitro line scheduled to return Jan. 10, union officials said.

Workers at General Motors Co.'s Toledo Powertrain plant will begin a shutdown Dec. 24 and return Jan. 3; workers at the automaker's Defiance Foundry shut the plant for extended maintenance on Dec. 10, and are to return Jan. 3, a spokesman said.