politics
General Motors Replaces Over 1,000 Workers With 50 Cobots at Factory Zero
GM installed 50 collaborative robots at its Detroit-Hamtramck plant, replacing more than 1,000 workers. The move follows repeated production pauses tied to slowing EV demand.
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General Motors has installed 50 collaborative robots on the assembly line at its Factory Zero plant in Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan, replacing more than 1,000 workers. The cobots attach body panels to vehicles alongside remaining human workers. New York Post reported the change occurred amid repeated production pauses at the plant over the past year due to slowing electric-vehicle demand.
GM spokesman Kevin Kelly said the company has been installing cobots across its manufacturing footprint as part of a broader push to bring more advanced technology into its operations. “At Factory ZERO, we are implementing them alongside our team — helping improve safety and ergonomics, while keeping our operations flexible and competitive,” Kelly stated.
UAW Local 22 President James Cotton said the machines are removing jobs.
“Our manpower is being taken away from us,” Cotton stated. “From top to bottom, we’re disgusted that they have cobots in our plants,” he added. The union has filed grievances against GM over the cobots.
The number of labor hours required to produce a car has declined 50% to 70% since the 1980s, according to Crain’s Detroit Business. UAW secured historic wage gains in its 2023 contract and plans to seek stronger job protections in 2028 negotiations. UAW President Shawn Fain said workers are in a fight for humanity.
“The fruits of our labor have multiplied like never before, but workers aren’t reaping the harvest,” Fain stated. 25 billion in profits, a 22% increase from the same period the previous year, according to Yahoo! Finance.
