Less than a year ago, Machinists union officers were spreading the word that Daimler’s Portland truck plant was hiring. Now the truck maker is looking to dramatically slash the workforce and cut production from its current 21 trucks a day to 12. The plant is located on the north end of the Port of Portland’s Swan Island Industrial Park.
To limit the number of workers who must be laid off, Daimler is first offering a buyout: a $55,000 bonus payment to retirement-eligible workers who opt to retire early. The offer extends to union members with at least 30 years of service, or who are at least 60 years old with at least 10 years of service, or those whose age plus years of service totals 85 or more. Workers can apply until June 23. The company hasn’t made any commitments as to how many buyouts they’ll approve, but those accepted for the buyout would work through July 11.
The company hasn’t shared with the union yet how many positions it will need to cut…