LIMA, OH (WLIO) - For over 50 years, the Lima Dana plant provided good-paying jobs to this region, and current and former employees are dealing with the announcement of its closure in 2025.
For over 50 years, the Lima Dana plant provided good-paying jobs to this region, and current and former employees are dealing with the announcement of its closure in 2025.
President of the UAW 1765 retirees, Gary Frueh, says the Lima plant was highly regarded in the Dana Corporation, and it was the star plant in the division during the 80s and 90s. The plant also received the prestigious "Malcolm Baldrige Award" in 2000 for manufacturing. But after the announcement, he says the loss of nearly 300 employees when the plant closes will have ripple effects in the area, with lost income tax and more than 1,000 people losing their health care. He says the loss of good manufacturing jobs in Allen County needs to be addressed.
President of the UAW 1765 retirees, Gary Frueh, says the Lima plant was highly regarded in the Dana Corporation, and it was the star plant in the division during the 80s and 90s.
"How can our community look at how we fix some of these plants that we have lost? Whether it be Excello, whether it be Warner & Swasey, whether it be Sundstrand, whether it be Clark Equipment. Those were good-paying jobs with benefits, and whatever we can do to learn what we need to do in a community like this to either enhance or retain those kinds of jobs that pay good benefits, spendable money. We need to learn that and put something in effect if we are not already doing that," says Gary Frueh, president of UAW-Dana Local 1765 Retiree Chapter.
There are around 350 active retirees from the Lima plant, whose benefits and pensions are safe after the closure. But the future of the current employees is still up in the air.
"We are going to try and negotiate plant closing agreement to get the people as many benefits and healthcare and stuff like that that they need," says Bryan McClurg, President of Local UAW 1765.
"We are going to try and negotiate plant closing agreement to get the people as many benefits and healthcare and stuff like that that they need," says Bryan McClurg, President of Local UAW 1765.
"So, is that going to be ongoings talks until the plant closes?" asked the reporter.
"That will be ongoing talks until we reach the agreement and at that point, we will present that to the people. Then they can make the decision, on whether they want to stick around or go somewhere else," answered McClug.
When Dana announced the Lima plant closure last month, they said it could take around 16 months until it finally shuts down.
When Dana announced the Lima plant closure last month, they said it could take around 16 months until it finally shuts down.
