THE FACTORS that persuaded General Motors Corp. to choose this area for a $250 million truck transmission manufacturing facility also recommend continuation of its vehicle-assembly plant on Broening Highway.
For more than a decade, the future of the 64-year-old plant in southeast Baltimore has been of concern. Beyond assurances that it will manufacture Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari minivans there through next year, the company has avoided commitments. Yesterday's announcement of the transmission plant, which will employ nearly 500 of Broening's 3,100 workers, doesn't quell fears. But GM's latest decision suggests the strength of the labor pool was a key consideration. That should also influence its decision whether to renovate the Broening plant.
GM's goal is to manufacture and sell high-quality vehicles at the lowest cost. Baltimore's geographic advantages and superior transportation network, including its port, are well-known. Long ago, Broening was one of GM's high-cost producers of full-sized automobiles. That is no longer the case. When the plant was reconfigured to produce minivans, productivity improved. The cooperation of the United Auto Workers helped make the plant among the most efficient in GM's Truck Group. UAW Local 239 has signaled its members' willingness to explore additional work-rule changes to maintain the assembly line in Baltimore.
