It's been two years now since General Motors in Lordstown was idled. While many of the 1,600 auto workers retired or changed careers, former United Autoworker Union President Dave Green said about 40% of the workers are still dealing with the aftermath of being transferred to other plants around the country.

Matthew Moorhead of Warren was one of the many GM workers who was forced to choose between losing his job or losing his family in 2019. Being under contract, he made the move to work in Michigan without his family. 

"You go to work and you come home... and you stare at a wall," Moorhead said,  "Because there's nothing. you don't know anybody and your family is not there."

He paid for a new place to live and even built his own furniture while still paying for his mortgage in Ohio.

But after working five months in Michigan and barely seeing his family, he said he couldn't take it anymore and decided to quit his auto working job of 25 years.

"It's hard to be a dad and not be there," he said, "To put your arms around your kids. It's difficult. I was fortunate to be able to step away."

He said he feels lucky to be back home and is still in touch with many transfer workers still struggling.

"You're never gonna meet a tougher person than an autoworker," he said. 

Green is still on the job. Now, in Indiana, taken from his Youngstownroots.

He said he's thankful his kids are now grown so he doesn't have to miss their milestones, he misses his family and the Valley.

"As sad as it makes me sometimes, I'm also trying to stay optimistic," he said, "GM talks a lot about the cost of doing the businesses I think what we've experienced is the human cost. Folks need to recognize that that human cost is real. There are people that will struggle emotionally and physically and the hope is that we can just get back to our families."

Like many workers, Green said he's looking forward to what the next contract in 2023 will bring, in hopes of retiring and coming home. 

He pointed out one silver lining, being that the pandemic allowed many workers to come home and see family because they were laid off, but many are back to work still facing challenges.