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Daily COVID-19 Updates: May 14

May 14, 2020
GM to Lay Off 8% of Self-Driving Car Workers; Unemployment Claim Rate Continues Dropping; An Operational Readiness Checklist

The White House has threatened to veto a fifth coronavirus-stimulus bill introduced by Democrats in the House of Representatives today. White House officials wrote that the legislation was more concerned with “partisan wishlists” than it was with public health.

While earlier stimulus bills were also riddled with partisan disagreements over quantities of money and amount of oversight required, the fifth bill is hitting stauncher opposition than earlier bills, in large part because of the money involved and proximity in time to four other COVID-19 relief bills. Meanwhile, a whistleblower testified dramatically before the House of Representatives that the United States still lacked a plan sufficient to manufacture and deliver a vaccine to hospitals across the country. Such a vaccine is likely months away at the earliest.

And in a third sign of the increasing political significance of COVID-19 responses, the Wisconsin States Supreme Court overturned a stay-at-home order issued by the state governor. The Court, ruling in favor of the majority of Wisconsin’s State Legislature, said the quarantine order exceeded the governor’s authority.

Ready, Set, Restart: Operational Readiness

The decision to close production at automotive manufacturers made headlines in March for how serious they showed the coronavirus pandemic was. Those in the know when it comes to manufacturing processes, though, know that resuming operations after a shutdown can be just as a difficult a process. “Navigating this dynamic operational landscape under normal circumstances can be difficult,” write Terry Onica and Cathy Fisher. “in the face of an ongoing pandemic, it is extremely difficult to say the least.”

While they acknowledge that there’s no “one size fits all” way to adapt to the current, complicated manufacturing environment, Onica and Fisher identify 13 key topics manufacturers should consider while returning their own businesses to normal. Read the full story here.

2.9 Million Filed for Unemployment Benefits Last Week

According to the Department of Labor, 2,981,00 people applied for unemployment insurance during the week of May 9, 195,00 less than adjusted figures from the week before. The rate of claims has been dropping for six straight weeks now, but they still remain more than quadruple the pre-COVID-19 record of 695,000.

The May 14 report released today on unemployment benefits also included information on participation in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. The PUA program, passed as part of the CARES Act in March, allows independent contractors, business owners, and part-time workers to apply for benefits they’re ordinarily ineligible for. In the week ending May 9, the states reported 841,995 such claims. Read the full story here.

GM to Lay Off 8% of Self-Driving Car Workers

According to information obtained by Reuters, GM told staff on May 14 they would be laying off about 8% of workers in the company's self-driving cars division, or roughly 140 people. COVID-19 has hammered large automakers as sales of vehicles plunge and plants are closed to comply with quarantine orders. GM, along with fellow automaker Ford, plans on reopening its production facilities May 18.

About the Author

Ryan Secard | Associate Editor

As talent editor, Ryan Secard reports on workforce and labor issues in manufacturing, including recruitment, labor organizations, and safety. Ryan has written IndustryWeek's Salary Survey annually since 2021 and coordinated its Talent Advisory Board since 2023. He joined IndustryWeek in 2020 as a news editor covering breaking manufacturing news.

Ryan also contributes to American Machinist and Foundry Management & Technology as an associate editor.

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