Amid Toyota recalls, workers rally at California plant where 4,600 jobs at risk

Amid Toyota recalls, workers rally at Calif. plant

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Dozens of workers rallied Friday to save a Northern California auto plant where more than 4,600 people could lose their jobs if Toyota stops production at the end of March.

Labor leaders said closing the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant — the sole remaining automobile assembly plant in California — would be the worst thing Toyota could do while it struggles to regain consumer confidence after several recalls.

“Killing American jobs won’t help Toyota regain public support or revive its sales. Toyota must reverse its decision,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.

In recent weeks, Toyota’s reputation has been hurt by the global recall of 8.5 million vehicles and questions about how quickly the giant automaker responded to safety problems.

David Lee, a Toyota spokesman in Los Angeles, declined to comment on the rally.

The demonstration kicked off a nationwide campaign urging the Japanese carmaker to save the plant, said Bob King, vice president of the United Auto Workers. The rally was held inside a nearby union hall.

The Fremont facility was established in 1984 as a joint venture between Toyota and General Motors Corp. Toyota builds its Corolla cars and Tacoma pickup trucks at the plant.

GM built its Pontiac Vibe station wagon there until last August, when it shed its share of the operation during bankruptcy reorganization.

State officials warn that thousands of other Californians who work at regional parts suppliers also could lose their jobs if the plant closes. California Treasurer Bill Lockyer said the number of lost jobs could reach 50,000.

At the rally, Lockyer announced the formation of a commission to study the impact of the pending closure on California’s economy.

“Since this terrible recession began, more than 1 million Californians have lost their jobs,” Lockyer said. “The last thing our state needs, the last thing our economy needs, is to have another 50,000 workers join them.”

Lance Tomasu, a spokesman for the plant, said GM’s decision to leave the venture brought about its closure. Officials were grateful when Toyota provided an additional seven months of orders last year, he said.

“They provided our team members additional time and compensation, and that will help them make the transition smoother,” Tomasu said, noting the plant was originally intended to operate for just 12 years.

Fremont, located at the edge of Silicon Valley north of San Jose, is seeking federal grant money to study how best to develop the 370 acres now occupied by the plant.