UAW urges Tesla, Toyota to hire union workers when NUMMI reopens

Toyota Motors Corp and Tesla Motors last night announced a historic partnership in which both automakers will mass produce electric-vehicles. As a part of the partnership, Toyota will purchase a $50 million stock in Tesla. Tesla also said it will purchase the NUMMI factory in Fremont, California to produce electric-vehicles starting off with the Model S sedan.

Reuters is now reporting that the United Auto Workers are urging Toyota and Tesla to hire union workers when they reopen the doors to the closed NUMMI plant. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said that the news of Toyota and Tesla’s partnership to build EVs in Fremont was “welcome new.”

“Our union’s hope is that this venture will give first hiring preference to former NUMMI employees who are already trained and highly skilled,” Gettelfinger said.

The NUMMI factory originally produced the Toyota Corolla and Tacoma and the Pontiac Vibe for GM before closing its doors after GM pulled its stake during its bankruptcy process in 2009. The plant employed about 4,500 workers represented by the UAW.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Reuters