Cummins to add 140 workers

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Cummins Inc. plans to immediately add 140 positions at its Columbus engine plant.\nThe new positions aim to help meet the demand for the turbo diesel engine used in the Dodge Ram pickup truck, according to Joe Loughrey, president of the engine business.\nThe news shows Cummins' willingness to grow its operations in Columbus, said Brooke E. Tuttle, president of Columbus Economic Development Board.\nThe company last month announced plans to move some of the heavy-duty assembly positions in Columbus to its Jamestown, N.Y., plant.\nWorkers who lost their jobs may be transferred to the new positions in Columbus, but some employees complained the new positions come with a pay cut and loss of seniority.\nBrandon Siefert and Shannon Claybrook, both of whom have worked at the plant for about four years, said a transfer would include a 29 percent pay cut -- from $13.75 per hour to $9.75.\nThey also said they would be considered new employees if they agreed to transfer, which would result in fewer vacation days and a loss of seniority.\n"We'd like to keep our jobs. That would be nice," Siefert said. "But at least we'd like to convey an honest impression of what's going on."\nCummins is just trying its best to prevent job losses, said Jason Rawlings, public relations director.\n"We are trying to create opportunities for the people who will be laid off at CEP," Rawlings said. "We're doing everything we can, within the constraints of the separate labor agreement, to help as many people as we can," Rawlings said.\nJerry Owen, the president of the Diesel Workers Union, declined to comment to The Republic for a story Saturday.