Delaware Delegation Issues Statement on Chrysler’s Announcement to Close Newark Assembly Plant One Year Early

Delaware’s Congressional Delegation – U.S. Senators Joe Biden and Tom Carper and U.S. Representative Mike Castle – issued the following statement today after Chrysler announced its early closure of the Newark assembly plant:

“Chrysler’s announcement today is a major blow, especially when the company had assured its workers that the plant would stay open until the end of 2009.  As Delaware’s Congressional Delegation, our main concern is for the thousands of men and women whose lives will be devastated by this decision. 

“The workforce of the Newark plant is among the best in the world; their hard work and sacrifices made it Chrysler’s most productive plant.  They’ve done everything asked of them and more.  In light of all this and the $25 billion that Congress recently approved for auto companies to stem the tide of job losses and plant closures, we are particularly disappointed that Chrysler decided to close its Newark plant a year early. 

“The employees at the Newark Assembly Plant, their families and the Newark community need the full support of federal, state and local officials. As we move forward, we will explore every possible resource to assist these families in any way we can.”