TOLEDO, Ohio — With Stellantis announcing it will lay off approximately 1,100 workers at the Toledo Assembly Complex as part of a change in the operating pattern, city leaders are thinking about what's next.
"This is very close to home," Toledo City Council member Adam Martinez said, adding that some of his family members will be affected by the indefinite layoffs.
But, he said all of the employees who will be affected are on his mind. Stellantis says the layoffs will happen as soon as Jan. 5 of next year.
"Patiently wait and see how this turns out, but if there's anything we can do as a city council, we will definitely be proactive," Martinez said.
Council is in the process of creating the budget for next year and a mass layoff means less money for the city through tax revenue.
Council member George Sarantou, chair of the Finance, Debt & Budget Oversight Committee, said the city could lose out on millions of dollars.
"The administration's going to get together very shortly with all the directors of the various departments, sit down and figure out what cuts can occur with the minimal effect on the public with the delivery of services to our citizens," Sarantou said.
He said the city will work with the state and county to make the unemployment process easier for all of the workers.
"This is not a good thing," he said. "We have to do everything we can to help them out. I'm confident Jeep will recover and continue to do the good work they've done over many decades in Toledo."
Martinez added that the timing of the layoffs is especially painful.
"Its timing is very poor," Martinez said. "Not that there's ever a good time for this situation. But just before the holidays? It's despicable."