Toyota to close its only unionized plant in the United States

Toyota (TM) workers at the Fremont, California, plant will be out of jobs by March when the company's only unionized plant shuts it doors. The plant known as NUMMI (New United Motors Manufacturing Inc.) was started as a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota in 1984. About 4,700 workers at the plant will be laid off and it is estimated that 18,800 jobs at the more than 1,100 supply firms could be lost as well.

GM discontinued production of the Pontiac Vibe at NUMMI last week. GM had announced in June that its half of NUMMI would not be part of the reorganized company. That left Toyota holding the bag and with the tough decision about whether to continue operations on its own.