Replies

True, but Framingham (as other facilities) would have had to make those renovations anyway to continue the same operation since they were mostly pollution oriented and the money had already been allocated.

It was a change to water based paint systems, low VOC.

The renovation(s) were not only to/for a new/separate building for the paint department but also to the body shop for pre-paint ELPO dip tanks (and body shop operations).

Additionally, (and importantly) there was speculation that Framingham would get/change production to the new plastic paneled mini van/wagon.

This speculation was included in the planning of the new paint facility (and all other departments during the whole plant renovation — which I as management worked, was involved in).

Above speculation/GM investment also gave the Mass Government, Framingham government and local UAW 422 union the misguided belief that the plant would not close after such an investment.

As you stated, they were wrong, all of them (even many in management).

I took a buyout option of/for my service in what turned out to be the first of 3 rounds (wisely, since one year later, the buy out money was drastically reduced).

That second round of buyouts also included hourly, some with transfers to other locations, most not.

The third round was the closing (which some still did not believe).

I was also wondering if there might be a possible re-opening of the plant until until Adesa bought it. I was pretty much assured that the facility was done as an auto manufacturing plant.

A neighbor who also had worked there got a job at Adesa. Through him, I was able to visit the ex-auto assembly plant and see my old department, much of the floor area.

The rear wall of part of the plant (including body shop/my dept) had been ripped out and was open to the elements.

Ironically, when I was initially hired as a union laborer, the plant was undergoing renovations in late fall, partly to expand the body shop department. The rear wall then was also torn out, it was VERY cold, the union walked out (my foreman told me NOT to walk out as I had not accrued union seniority and would be fired... he was correct).

The remaining people were given additional coveralls to wear (not that it would help or matter since there weren’t enough people left to man half the stations, regardless of training).

During that short last visit, I was surprised how sad I was to see the state of the plant (working there was a love/hate relationship).

(In my final position, I could enter the plant at any time, with guests and I often did, at all odd hours, days of the week. Security recognized me, knew my name, waved me through. Actions that, upon leaving, I learned earned me notation to the highest level of local management and resulted in them upping all of my appraisals at their level of review). I add this only in regard to the current crop of higher education crybabies... and some nostalgia.

Thanks for the reply and reason to reminisce.

I’d forgotten the name of the (also failed) future vehicle for Framingham/GM and again came across this site:

“http://bestride.com/blog/25-years-ago-gm-closed-framingham-assembly/5566/";

You may know of it, others may not.

Not meaning to be intrusive, but are you familiar with GM in other ways?

From the Metro West area? (remember the original Shoppers World?)

Regardless this has been very cathartic for me. Thank You