WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) released the following statement after Navistar announced plans to hire 40 new workers at the company’s Springfield plant.

“Because of Navistar’s dedicated workforce and the strong leadership of the UAW, production at the Springfield plant has doubled and employees are back to work,” Brown said. “And today, Navistar is building on that success, hiring new workers and continuing to invest. These good-paying, highly-skilled jobs are critical to Ohio’s manufacturing renaissance and our state’s economic recovery.”

In April 2011, Brown toured Navistar and met with company management and workers to celebrate the increased production at the Springfield plant. Last year, Navistar announced layoffs for Springfield workers and there was uncertainty about the Springfield plant’s future. Following the announcement, Brown worked closely with the company, the United Auto Workers (UAW) locals 402 and 658 and the Springfield community in their efforts to keep the plant open. In October 2010, Navistar and the UAW announced an agreement that would keep the Springfield facility open.  In December 2010, Brown called on Navistar to maximize production levels at the plant and reinstate some of the laid off workers

Since then, the company has begun ramping up production and making investments in the Springfield plant. In Nov. 2011, Navistar announced that it will bring a new chassis line to the company’s plant in Springfield. According to the company, production has doubled and nearly 200 employees have been recalled from layoff since December 2010. Navistar International Corp. produces commercial trucks, school buses, motor homes, and diesel engines.

Brown, who has been described as "Congress' leading proponent of American Manufacturing," introduced bipartisan legislation earlier this month aimed at bolstering the competitiveness of the American manufacturing industry. By requiring the development of a national manufacturing strategy, National Manufacturing Strategy Act of 2011 would boost traditional and high-tech manufacturing, spur American job growth, and strengthen the middle class.

 

 

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