Published: June 30, 2009 11:37 pm      

Chrysler Group workers return

Not all will be called back to work

After almost being empty for nearly two months, vehicles can be seen in the parking lots at the Kokomo Transmission Plant and Indiana Transmission Plant 1.

Since Monday, employees for Chrysler Group LLC are working.

But not every one of the more than 4,500 Chrysler workers in the area are working — or returning to work.

“ITP 2 won’t report until July 6,” said Rich Boruff, president of Local 685. “We will all be shut down for summer vacation the weeks of July 13 and 20. But everyone will be back on schedule July 27.

“We are happy to be back, no doubt about that. It’s been a little crazy, but things are going pretty good. The new [Fiat] system is a team-based concept similar to what we had with Chrysler LLC. This requires a little more discipline and accountability.”

The new Fiat-managed Chrysler is now producing vehicles for the new Chrysler Group LLC. The new group was formed June 10 after Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg allowed Chrysler to sell most of its profitable assets to Fiat SpA.

Monday, nationwide, seven assembly plants — powertrain and support plants included — began operating after being shuttered on April 30 when Chrysler filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

While many received a call to return to work, the new company will not be bringing back all its workers.

“We won’t get everyone back,” said Boruff, adding he has not been given an exact number of how many employees won’t be returning. “Our manpower levels will go down because some plants will be making less transmissions, and that’s going to affect our manpower level.

“We hear a lot of rumors about what Fiat plans to build here, but they haven’t committed to anything yet.”

However, what they have committed to is ensuring workers understand the Fiat World Class Manufacturing program.

It isn’t a new system, said a Local 1166 member, but it’s a system management and the rank-and-file need to be on the same page for both to be successful.

“The program is a Japanese program that was invented by Americans. It’s not that different than what we had in place,” said Shawn Fain, who was a member of the UAW/Chrysler national negotiating committee. “Management can talk a good game. Saying and doing are two different things. That’s where problems can start.

“I have no doubt we can do it. Our people have been through changes before, and we were able to get the job done. We’ll get it done now. Union and management have to talk. It’s a team structure. There’s a right and wrong way to do something, and we all have to be patient to make this happen.”

Since returning, workers had a two-hour overview learning Fiat’s WCM program. That’s two hours better spent than not being employed at all, said one 15-year KTP worker.

“The attitude is different. The atmosphere is better. I like their ideas and what they are bringing to Chrysler,” said Reggie Crawford. “We have to get on board now and be a viable part of the company. We have the right man for the job. Our plant manager is passionate about this. Our plant manager has really embraced the concept and is pushing it hard. We have to embrace it as well if we want to keep our jobs. It’s as simple as that.”

For one employee, what would be simpler would be returning to work with his co-workers.

Larry Norfleet has worked at ITP 2 but he’s been laid off since March 2008.

He’s enjoyed the “quality time” he has spent with his family, but like the saints in the old song, Norfleet wants to be in the number when others go marching in for work.

“I am looking forward to it. I want to get back to work to keep the wolves from the door,” he said. “I don’t know when they are going to call me to come back. I don’t want to go to Detroit to take a job and uproot my family. I want to work here.”

• K.O. Jackson is the Tribune’s business writer. He can be reached at (765) 854-6739 or via e-mail kirven.jackson@kokomotribune.com