KSHB 41 reporter Rachel Henderson covers neighborhoods in Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties. Share your story idea with Rachel.

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With layoffs looming in November, workers at the General Motors plant in Fairfax and subsequent members of United Auto Workers Local 31 are feeling a level of uncertainty.

It’s the opposite of the consistency they feel as regulars at Anna’s BLD Bistro, just five minutes from the factory.

Co-owner Angelynn Howell never misses an update.

Angelynn Howell, co-owner of Anna’s BLD Bistro

“They come in and tell you all kinds of stuff,” Howell said with a smile.

She is well aware of the upcoming layoffs at the GM Fairfax plant.

During the 2023 strike, his company was not only a constant workplace for customers, but also for KSHB 41. We I inquired with her then to talk about the state of inactivity of the factory.

“Our regulars kept coming, so it wasn’t really that bad,” Howell said.

Nearly 1,700 employees will be affected by the temporary, phased layoffs, which will begin in November and end in 2026.

This will begin with a 6-month layoff from January to July, then the first shift workers will be gradually put in place thereafter.

UAW Local 31 President Dontay Wilson said he hopes to have the second shift in place by February 2026.

Paul Sancya

This is all the result of a $390 million investment retooling so the factory can make the Chevrolet Bolt EV.

The retooling has had a knock-on effect on other parts suppliers in the region who are also experience layoffs or closures.

Howell says a lot of their business is early morning deliveries to these suppliers.

“That 18 months is a long time for employees to be furloughed,” Howell said.

Regulars like Wilson told him about it.

Rachel Henderson/KSHB 41

“The entire community is going to be affected by this layoff,” Wilson said.

So far, his conversation with Local 31 members hasn’t been easy, he said.

“It’s extremely difficult to get this done, especially with this timing and the length of time we’re looking at,” Wilson said. “It’s not an easy task to navigate. »

Wilson says people worry about whether producing an electric vehicle means fewer jobs.

“Of course they are,” Wilson said. “Our hope is to have two products that we will be able to produce and do that and alleviate some of those concerns.” We’ll see what the future looks like. I hope that’s where we stay and we can make sure that 2,000 people get laid off and 2,000 people come back. »

If Howell has learned one thing about the auto industry, it’s “sporadic,” in his words. That’s why she’s happy to continue being consistent for now.

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