Workers return to GM plant in Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Some 2,400 employees at the General Motors plant have returned to work after scheduled down time in June and a traditional two-week summer shutdown. <br/> <br/>GM spokeswoman Pam Reese

Thursday, July 28th 2005, 10:34 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Some 2,400 employees at the General Motors plant have returned to work after scheduled down time in June and a traditional two-week summer shutdown.

GM spokeswoman Pam Reese said the success of a company sales program that offers consumers the GM employee discount has depleted inventory and employees at the plant will work overtime next month to increase stock. That overtime has been tentatively scheduled for Aug. 8-15. Workers returned last week.

Dealers had a 32-day supply of GMC Envoy XLs and a 42-day supply of Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXTs as of July 20, according to UAW Local 1999. Both models are manufactured at the plant. Automakers prefer supplies in the 60- to 70-day range.

GM warned in April it may have to eliminate the second shift at the plant because of reduced demand, but no final decision has been made.

Meanwhile, the Natural Resources Defense Council issued a report Wednesday saying high oil prices could lead to layoffs at automobile factories, including GM's in Oklahoma City.

Researchers said consumer preference has started to shift to smaller car-based sport utility vehicles, a trend that will intensify if the price of oil continues to climb.

GM officials took issue with the report and said it relies on long-term energy price projections by the federal Energy Information Administration that indicate oil prices will decrease.