TOLEDO, Ohio — As 1,470 workers across three different automotive manufacturing plants in Toledo will be laid off early next year, according to their owners, state legislators from the Glass City are urging them to utilize the various local and state resources available to them.
The layoffs at the Toledo Assembly Complex, Mobis North America and KUKA Toledo Production Operations LLC were announced earlier this month and came just before the holiday season.
Unemployment benefits are available to workers who have been laid off.
Rep. Michele Grim (D-Toledo) said the Job and Family Services Department has created a specific line for members of the United Auto Workers union to call when signing up for unemployment "to hopefully not have any issues with people’s unemployment benefits because those are really critical, especially when you are looking for other work."
Grim also says employees can reach out to their state representative or senator if there are any issues with the unemployment process or other benefits.
"My office is open to help with this really difficult time for a lot of families here in Lucas County," she said.
Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) said Lucas County Workforce Development would also be a useful resource for laid-off workers. The department helps people get employed and can connect workers to training programs.
“There are resources available and my hope is that the company will find a way to support these workers,” Hick-Hudson said.
While UAW Local 12 is ensuring members can access unemployment benefits, no additional union resources are currently available to support families during the holidays according to union leadership.
To find more information on unemployment benefits at the Job and Family Services' website, click here.