(1/31/2019) - The temporary shutdown for at least two General Motors facilities in Flint will continue for the rest of Thursday.
Second shift has been canceled at the Flint Metal Center and Flint Assembly, according to a statement from the company. Updates on other affected GM facilities are expected to come Thursday afternoon.
GM ceased manufacturing at several Mid-Michigan plants at the request of Consumers Energy, which is dealing with potential natural gas supply shortages after a fire at its Ray Compressor Facility in Macomb County.
Consumers has put out a call for all residents and businesses to conserve natural gas. The Ray facility, which accounts for 64 percent of the company's gas supply, was back to partial operations Thursday after the fire on Wednesday.
But the request to limit natural gas usage will continue through the day on Friday, when record cold temperatures begin to moderate and naturally reduce gas usage.
Late Wednesday, GM ceased production at Flint Assembly, Flint Engine Operations, Flint Metal Center, Flint Tool & Die, Bay City Powertrain, Saginaw Metal Casting Operations, Lansing Delta Township Assembly, Lansing Grand River Assembly, Lansing Regional Stamping and Lansing Grand River Stamping.
Third shift Wednesday and first shift Thursday already were called off at the affected plants before GM added second shift at the Flint facilities on Thursday.
For Flint Assembly and Flint Metal Center, only employees contacted by their supervisor should report to work. All other affected employees in Flint should check the plant hotline at 1-877-574-5169.
In Lansing, updates will be posted on the Lansing Regional Manufacturing Facebook Page