As to whether the employees get paid, I think it depends on their contract. My guess would be they do get paid, but at reduced wages.
I think this falls outside the two weeks of vacation employees (at least at GM) take during the summer so the plants can retool.
I wish the article stated which month they’d be taking off...at least it sounds like it’ll be *after* Christmas.
It’ll be interesting to know if they’ll be required to use vacation time, get sub pay or some sort of unemployment...I guess it would depend on the contracts and state laws.