General Motors late this afternoon officially announced that approximately 35,000 hourly employees (33,800 UAW-represented and 1,200 IUE-CWA-represented) have agreed to participate in early retirement programs. GM announced the program late last year in an effort to drastically reduce its workforce. Today's official figure represents roughly a third of GM's workforce and do not include workers who will leave former subsidiary Delphi. Coupled with the hourly workforce reduction of 6,500 in 2005 and estimated replacements, including Delphi flowbacks, GM expects to reach its target of reducing 30,000 manufacturing jobs by Jan. 1, 2007, about two years ahead of the previously announced schedule.

"Over the past several months, we have accomplished a great deal in our strategy to reshape GM into a company that is more nimble, more global and built for long-term success," said GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner. "These moves have given us a fast start toward achieving our stated objective of reducing GM’s global structural cost from approximately 34 percent of revenue in 2005, to 25 percent of revenue by 2010, and setting us up to be successful for years to come."

In the last year, GM has been aggressively implementing its North American turnaround plan. Some of the major actions taken include the health-care agreement with the UAW and the IUE-CWA; the manufacturing capacity plan; changes to U.S. salaried health-care and pension plans; a complete overhaul of GM’s marketing strategy; and accelerated launches of key new product entries and technologies.

The accelerated attrition program was announced in March and offered to 109,000 UAW-represented hourly employees and 3,800 IUE-CWA-represented employees at GM’s manufacturing operations in the United States . The program ended at midnight June 23. Employees who signed up that day have seven days after signing up (no later than midnight June 30) to opt out of their retirement or buyout.

Based on preliminary numbers, approximately 4,600 of the participating employees accepted buyouts and approximately 30,400 chose to retire. It is expected that most will retire or leave the company by the end of the year. These numbers do not include Delphi employees who are participating in similar attrition programs.

In addition, the JOBS Bank will be substantially reduced as employees from the Bank retire, take a buy-out or fill openings created by the attrition program. These moves will be coordinated by GM and the UAW, working through national and local agreements.

As a result of the success of the accelerated attrition program, GM is again increasing its targeted reduction in structural costs in North America to at least $8 billion from $7 billion on an annual running rate basis by the end of 2006.

Approximately $5 billion in savings is expected to be realized in 2006. The additional cost reduction of at least $1 billion, largely cash savings, will bring expected total annual cash savings from structural cost reductions to $5 billion.

Structural costs, such as the cost of unionized employees, are those operating costs that do not vary with production and include all costs other than material, freight, and policy and warranty costs.

GM expects to take a netafter-tax charge currently estimated in the range of $3.8 billion related to the attrition program, primarily for payments to employees and for the effect of the re-measurement of both GM's U.S. pension liabilities and other post-employment benefits (OPEB) liabilities. This charge includes a revision of the accrual taken in the fourth quarter of 2005 for the North American plant capacity actions.

The amount of this charge is subject to further review based on such factors as the demographics of the employees accepting the retirement offer. Most of the above-noted charge will be included in second-quarter financial results. GM will provide final estimates and additional financial details when it releases second quarter results next month.

The attrition program also represents another step in reaching a consensual agreement with Delphi , the UAW and the IUE-CWA in connection with the Delphi restructuring.

Wagoner recognized UAW leadership’s role in the success of this attrition program. "We appreciate the UAW’s steady support in working with us as we make the necessary moves to restructure GM North America for long-term success," he said.

Wagoner also thanked the IUE-CWA and GM’s other unions for their support. He noted: "By working together with our unions, we can come to solutions to challenging issues that are fair to both our employees and other important constituents."

He also recognized GM employees’ role in the turnaround efforts.

"Consideration of the attrition program was an important decision for every worker and his or her family," Wagoner said. "For those employees who chose to retire from or leave the company, I want to thank them for their contributions over the years. For those who decided to stay, I look forward to their continued commitment to building great cars and trucks."

Detailed plans are in place to ensure a smooth transition in GM manufacturing plants. Employees who chose to leave the company will retire or leave no later than Jan. 1, 2007 . GM will use temporary employees as necessary while permanent replacements are put in place . All temporary, relocated, and Delphi flow-back workers will receive extensive training to maintain GM’s safety leadership and strong quality performance.

"I have said before that our goal in restructuring the company is not just to change GM’s bottom line from red to black," Wagoner said. "Our goal is to structure GM for sustained profitability and growth … to set us up to be successful for years to come in an ever-more competitive global auto industry.