Union leaders are calling a news conference this afternoon to discuss today's announcement from General Motors that it will be suspending the third shift at the Lordstown Complex early next year.

A statement from GM said it will suspend third shift production in Lordstown and at its Lansing Grand River, Michigan assembly plants next year.

GM cites a continuing customer preference from cars to crossover vehicles and trucks as the reason for shift cut, which will take place on January 23.

According to GM, 1,202 hourly, and 43 salaried employees of the 4,500 working at the plant will be affected.

Officials from both UAW Locals, 1714 and 1112 plan a 4:00 p.m. news conference today to talk the media about the impact of the shift reduction on their members.

The same announcement from GM said the company intends to invest more than $900 million in three facilities — Toledo Transmission Operations in Ohio, Lansing Grand River in Michigan and Bedford Casting Operations in Indiana — to prepare the facilities for future product programs.

Earlier this month, GM said sales of the Lordstown-made Chevy Cruze were up 9% from the same month a year ago, making it GM's third best-selling vehicle, eclipsed only by the Chevy Equinox and Silverado pickup truck.

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