Senators Rockefeller, Byrd Fight To Retain Auto Dealership Jobs

Call for comprehensive plan for communities impacted by GM and Chrysler restructuring

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Senator Robert Byrd last week called for a comprehensive plan to assist communities, dealers, employees, and consumers affected by GM and Chrysler restructuring, urging the Secretary of the Treasury to keep as many dealerships open as possible.

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In a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Senators Byrd and Rockefeller wrote:

“We have learned that Chrysler intends to close 17 of its 24 franchises in West Virginia, putting an estimated 250 employees at risk. This figure will surely rise after GM announces the number of dealerships it will close. As you well understand, these substantial job losses will have a devastating economic impact on local communities, particularly in rural areas like West Virginia. In addition to the hardships that will face these small business owners, employees, and their families, the closings will result in less revenue for local governments, which translates into cuts in important government services. At a time when Americans are looking to their elected officials and government leaders to help them weather this economic crisis, the local impact of closing such a large number of dealerships is deeply troubling to us. As you work with Chrysler and GM to make them competitive, we urge you to give greater consideration to the negative impact on communities and work to preserve jobs.”

“We need a strategy to assist these dealerships to stay in business despite losing their GM and Chrysler franchises.”

Source: Senator Jay Rockefeller