Big Downsizing at Belvidere Chrysler?

FCA offers nearly 4,000 Belvidere Chrysler plant employees ‘separation packages’

January 28, 20209:06 amAndrew CarriganTOP STORIES

BELVIDERE (WREX) — Nearly 4,000 employees at the Belvidere Chrysler plant have been offered a separation package from FCA.
FCA Spokesperson Jodi Tinson confirmed 3,900 hourly production employees were offered two voluntary separation packages.
Tinson did not go into specifics about the two packages, but says they were offered to "create opportunities for those employees still on layoff."
Here's the full statement from the FCA:

"FCA confirms that it has distributed information about two voluntary separation packages to approximately 3,900 hourly production employees at the Belvidere Assembly Plant (Ill.) as outlined in the 2019 UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement. These packages are being offered to create opportunities for those employees still on layoff. Employees have until March 11, 2020, to make an election."

FCA Statement

FCA has provided information on the two packages.
Tinson says one package is an Incentive Program to Retire (IPR) that includes a lump sum payment of $60,000.
She says the other package is a Voluntary Termination of Employment (VTEP). This also includes a lump sum payment, but varies depending on seniority. Anyone who accepts this packages severs all ties with the company and will not be eligible for recall, rehire or reemployment.
The confirmation of the separation packages comes less than a week after it was announced the Chrysler Plant will be temporarily closing down in February.
The plant re-opened this week after being shutdown for two weeks to align production with demand, according to Tinson.
The shutdown in February will be the third time within the past 6 months. The first week-long shutdown happened in late August of 2019.
FCA has not said how many employees have been impacted by the shutdowns. According to May 2019 archives in the Chicago Tribune, the plant employed 5,464 people in 2019. As of January 2019, Tinson says the plant employed 3,900.
13 WREX is working to get more information on these packages. Stay tuned for more information.

Above is from:  https://wrex.com/2020/01/28/fca-offers-nearly-4-thousand-belvidere-chrysler-plant-employees-separation-packages/