By Eric Becker

ebecker@yourjournal.com

Nearly 300 workers at the GM Wentzville Assembly Center will take voluntary buyouts, most leaving the plant by the beginning of next month, according to remarks made to the media by United Auto Workers Local 2250 President Gary Style.

When GM announced the buyouts in March, Style told the Journal that 300 to 400 workers would be eligible for the buyout program. Of the 297 workers, 196 opted for early retirement, while 101 will take voluntary severance packages.

Those with the company more than 10 years taking severance packages will receive $140,000, while those with less than 10 years will receive $70,000.

Skilled workers of retirement age could receive up to $62,500 via a lump sum or monthly payments. Production workers will receive $45,000. Both sums can also be received as a direct rollover toward a retirement account. The plan announced in March called for employees who have 26 to 29 years of service and wish to take a pre-retirement package to receive a fixed monthly payment with full benefits until they reach 30 years of credited service.

The Wentzville plant employs 2,200 UAW workers.

The move comes during a time when GM is shutting down four of its large-vehicle production plants in a nod to consumer demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Wentzville plant was not among the plants the company has decided to close.

The Wentzville plant is the only plant in the nation that produced Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. In 2007, the plant produced 160,000 of those vehicles.

Bob Wheeler, spokesman for the GM Wentzville Assembly Center, referred media inquiries to Detroit. A spokesperson was not immediately available.