General Motors Co. said Monday it is cutting more than 1,000 jobs in its software division globally, with 634 of the jobs being cut coming from the Global Technical Center in Warren.
Stellantis said earlier this month that Warren Truck Assembly will lose a shift later this year, which could affect 2,450 workers.
Both automakers were required to file a WARN Act notice with the state of Michigan at least 60 days before laying off employees, outlining those actions and the reason for them.
So what is a WARN Act notice? Here are frequently asked questions and answers about the notice required by US labor law, its purpose, and which employers and employees are typically covered.
What is the WARN Act?
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act is a US labor law that took effect in 1989 and aims to protect employees, their families and communities by requiring employers to give 60 days notice before a plant closing or mass layoff . The law’s origins go back to the 1970s and 1980s, with the closing of several large steel mills and its impact on communities such as Toledo and Pittsburgh, according to a 2008 U.S. Senate hearing recognizing the law’s 20th anniversary .
Who is covered by WARN?
Generally, employers with 100 or more employees are covered, according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
Private for-profit employers and private, nonprofit employers are covered, the department said, as are public and quasi-public entities.
Employees entitled to notice under WARN include hourly and salaried workers, as well as managerial and supervisory employees.
More about Stellantis’ actions:Warren Truck to Lose Tour as Ram 1500 Classic Production Ends; The UAW’s Fain is making cuts
More on GM discounts:GM to cut at least 1,000 software jobs, biggest impact at GM Tech Center in Warren
Who is not covered by WARN?
Employees who have worked less than six months in the past year are not covered by the law. Employees who work less than 20 hours per week are also not covered.
Regular federal, state, and local government employers who provide public services are not covered.
Consultants or contract employees who are assigned to the business but have a separate employment relationship with another employer are not covered.
Who should receive the WARN notice?
Employers must notify employees and local government officials before executing a mass layoff or job closure.
What triggers a WARN notice?
Employers must issue a WARN Act notice:
- When a job will be permanently closed and the closure will result in job losses.
- If there will be a job loss at the site in any 30-day period for 500 or more employees, or for 50-499 employees if they represent at least 33% of the employer’s workforce. For example, if an auto manufacturer shuts down a plant for two weeks in the summer to retool, it would not trigger a WARN notice, but if it goes beyond a month, it may trigger a WARN notice, depending on how many employees he works at the factory. .
- When the sale of a business results in mass layoffs or plant closures.
- When there is a loss of employment, i.e. a termination, other than a dismissal for cause, voluntary departure or retirement; a dismissal that exceeds six months (for example, if the employer dismisses an employee but says that he will be called back to work, but does not do so for more than six months); or when there is a reduction in an employee’s hours of work by more than 50% in each month of any six-month period.
Where can I find WARN notices related to Michigan?
To view individual WARN letters, go to the Michigan Workforce Development Agency (part of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity) WARN Notices website.
To see a list of WARN notices issued in 2024, as well as a list of WARN notices from previous years, go to MilMI.org/WARN/.
Where can I find more information about WARN notices?
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has guidance for workers and employers at DOL.gov/agencies/eta/layoffs/warn.
Contact Adrienne Roberts: amroberts@freepress.com
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