Production at Flint Assembly will remain paused into late January, leaving thousands of workers idle with no detailed explanation beyond maintenance and project work.
GM has confirmed that Flint Assembly employees will remain on temporary layoff until January 26, extending the production pause that began just before the holidays on December 24. Despite the quiet plant floor, unionized workers will continue to receive benefits throughout the shutdown.
The Flint, Michigan facility produces the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD. News of the closure first surfaced in mid-December, when GM announced a four-and-a-half-week pause described as “planned maintenance and project work.”
A notice posted on Facebook by UAW Local 598, which represents workers and retirees at the Flint Assembly plant, clarifies that all hourly, full-time, and part-time employees affected by the holiday layoff are eligible for benefits. The letter also confirms that GM will file an application for these benefits on behalf of the workers.
The specifics of the “maintenance and project work” have not been disclosed, though reports suggest it could involve facility upgrades or preparations for future powertrain or product changes. One possibility is that GM is readying the plant for the upcoming Gen 6 small-block V8, slated for the 2027 model year.
The Flint facility employs roughly 5,000 UAW members, a workforce large enough that the temporary layoffs could affect the local economy, including restaurants, shops, and other small businesses.
Flint isn’t the only GM plant facing an extended holiday shutdown. In Bowling Green, Kentucky, where Corvettes are produced, operations have been halted since December 15 and aren’t expected to resume until January 12. GM hasn’t provided a reason for this closure either, though the pause may help reduce excess inventory at Chevrolet dealerships.
Also Read: Top 10 Quick Electric Cars That Won’t Drain Your Wallet on Maintenance
