Jan 03, 2008 — 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.  Go to full article

Jan 02, 2008 — 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.  Go to full article

Sep 26, 2007 — 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.  Go to full article

Sep 25, 2007 — General Motors workers in Massena are among the thousands nationwide who walked off the job this morning. United Auto Workers president Ron Gettelfinger says the union launched the strike after what he described as ``one-sided negotiations.'' The union is seeking more job security and better benefits. The picketing comes as General Motors prepares to close its Powertrain plant in Massena next year. David Sommerstein spoke with UAW local 465 president Tony Arquette Monday afternoon.  Go to full article

Sep 04, 2007 — Labor Day is a big day in Massena. Ever since Alcoa built an aluminum smelter near the St. Lawrence River in 1903, Massena has been a town of blue-collar work and unions. The annual Labor Day parade draws more than a dozen unions from across the North Country. Yesterday's parade was clouded by last spring's news that General Motors will close its plant in Massena, laying off almost 500 people. David Sommerstein sent this audio montage from the parade route.  Go to full article

Aug 10, 2007 — New York Senator Charles Schumer took advantage of his chamber's summer recess to visit the North Country yesterday. He toured the biomass renewable energy plant in Lewis County. And he discussed everything from Iraq and Alcoa to passports and the farm bill in Massena. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jun 15, 2007 — After weeks of negotiations, General Motors has agreed to spend more money helping Massena recover from the closure of the Powertrain plant. The deal was hammered out by Governor Eliot Spitzer and includes provisions to provide economic planning assistance and an engineering study to help find a new use for the factory. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

May 25, 2007 — Governor Eliot Spitzer offered sympathy and hope to about 100 General Motors workers and their families in Massena yesterday. But he had few details about what the future would hold. Spitzer's visit to the United Auto Workers Local 465 union hall comes a little more than a week after General Motors announced it will shutter its Powertrain plant in Massena by the end of 2008. Almost 500 people will lose their jobs. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

May 17, 2007 — State lawmakers are making a last ditch effort to save the General Motors Powertrain plant. They'll huddle with union leaders in Massena tomorrow. But as David Sommerstein reports, the talks will focus on life after GM.

CORRECTION: Lieutenant Governor David Paterson is not visiting Massena today.  Go to full article

May 15, 2007 — Reaction to GM's announcement trickled in through the afternoon on Monday, as people in Massena tried to digest the news. Local officials and economic development leaders warned the community to brace for a difficult transition. North Country assemblyman Darry Aubertine, a Democrat, called GM's decision "irresponsible." Congressman John McHugh described the announcement as "a heartbreaking development for the workers and the entire community." McHugh accused GM of "rejecting input from government officials" and "showling little desire to work out a mutually beneficial solution." Karen St. Hilaire is executive director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. She says roughly one in twenty jobs in the county have been put at risk. St. Lawrence County's tax base will also take a huge hit.  Go to full article