News stories tagged with "general-motors"

(03/09/11) A judge has approved a deal between "Old GM" -- the bankruptcy offshoot of the auto giant -- and the Federal Government for the cleanup of contaminated sites across 14 states. As Innovation Trail's Ryan Morden reports, that includes two sites in Upstate New York.

(08/31/10) The post-bailout arm of General Motors that's in charge of liquidating failed assets of the car-maker wants to tear down the Powertrain plant in Massena. The plant closed for good last year. But the buildings, the equipment, and the soil underneath is contaminated with toxic PCB oil. Federal environment officials now say Motors Liquidation Company has to clean it all up before demolition can begin. As David Sommerstein reports, the extent of the contamination has some former workers and the Massena community worried.

(05/28/09) North County Congressman John McHugh fielded a range of issues at town hall meetings yesterday in Ogdensburg and Canton. He listened to border concerns and worries over a wind project in Hammond. There was also some talk of new economic potential in Massena and Newton Falls. A group of farmers came for help with near-record low milk prices. David Sommerstein reports.

(05/27/09) Another blow for the reeling community of Massena. After years of work and planning, the village is giving up on its bid to build a $25-million community center. Massena was the only town in Upstate New York to win a highly competitive Kroc grant to build the facility. But the community couldn't raise enough money to fulfill the grant requirements. Massena town supervisor Gary Edwards says the community is shocked and disappointed. Massena has been devastated by job losses, with about 1000 layoffs this year, including the permanent closure of the General Motors plant and the temporary shutdown of an Alcoa smelter. Massena had to raise $2.4 million in operating expenses for the Ray and Joan Kroc foundation to give $23 million for the construction and endowment for a state-of-the-art community center. Major Donald Lance is the regional division commander for the Salvation Army, which was leading the campaign and would have run the center. He told David Sommerstein after three years of fundraising, the campaign had only raised a third of its goal.

(02/26/09) The head of the New York Power Authority says he'd be "glad to talk" with a developer who wants to build a steel mill in Massena. Steel Development Company chairman John Correnti says he wants to build a $200-million rebar plant and create 200 jobs. Martha Foley reports.

(08/14/08) Operations at the General Motors engine plant in Massena will be extended as fuel costs drive demand for small aluminum engine blocks. Jonathan Brown has more.

(05/06/08) 150 scientists from the U.S. and Canada meet in Cornwall, Ontario, today to assess the health of the St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence River Institute's annual conference comes on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the construction of the hydropower dam. The dam brought clean power and good jobs, but also pollution, Superfund sites, and environmental destruction. David Sommerstein reports.

(01/03/08) General Motors killed their last electric car in the 1990s. Now the automaker is working on a new car that could go 40 miles on electricity alone. The car could be in showrooms in two to three years. Dustin Dwyer visited the shop where the new Chevy Volt is being designed.

(01/02/08) 2007 was a roller coaster year for Massena. It ended with the security of knowing Alcoa will keep almost 1,000 jobs in the company town. But in May, hundreds of people's lives were turned upside-down. General Motors announced it will close its plant there, laying off about 500 workers. A new art project aims to make those people more than statistics in the global shift of manufacturing. A half dozen workers and family members used photography and journaling to tell their stories as their lives change forever. Their exhibit is up at the local union hall in Massena through January 17th. David Sommerstein reports.

(09/26/07) It's back to work this morning for tens of thousands of rank-and-file members of the United Auto Workers. Union negotiators reached what's being called an historic agreement on a three-year contract with General Motors. Details are still sketchy. But both sides confirm the deal would create a trust fund to cover GM's $50 billion retiree health care obligation. A person briefed on the contract tells The Associated Press that GM would pay about 70% of the massive fund. It would be administered by the union. UAW president Ron Gettelfinger says the contract will protect jobs. The contract must be reviewed by local union presidents and then voted on. The deal sends 382 members of UAW Local 465 back to work in Massena this morning. But they still face an uncertain future likely not affected by the new contract. GM announced several months ago it will close its operations in Massena next year, laying off almost 500 people. David Sommerstein visited the picket line yesterday, as the rank and file were hunkering down for what they thought was going to be a long strike.