In the aftermath of General Motors announcing plans to close plants in Michigan and Ohio, UAW has called the move a "callous decision" that is "profoundly damaging to our American workforce."

The Detroit-based automaker announced plans to close the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, Lordstown Assembly Plant in Warren, Ohio and Oshawa Assembly plant in Ontario by the end of 2019. GM will also close propulsion plants in Warren, Michigan and White Marsh, Maryland in the same timeframe.

"GM's production decisions, in light of employee concessions during the economic downturn and a taxpayer bailout from bankruptcy, puts profits before the working families of this country whose personal sacrifices stood with GM during those dark days," Terry Dittes, UAW vice president and director of the GM department, said in a statement.

"These decisions are a slap in the face to the memory and recall of that historical American made bailout."

GM confirmed the measures in a Monday morning, Nov. 26 news release in saying these moves "will accelerate its transformation for the future. The automaker says that the closure of these plants will increase its cash flow by $6 billion by the end of 2020. The Associated Press reports the move will see 14,700 employees laid off, including 8,100 salaried, white-collar workers.

Mary Barra, the automaker's CEO and chairman, said that these measures will continue GM's transformation into a "highly agile, resilient and profitable" company with some needed investment flexibility.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, also delivered strong responses to the news Monday morning. Duggan called the news "troubling," and said the city is working with UAW and others to find solutions for affected employees.

Dingell called GM's choices a "warning" about protecting and keeping jobs in the U.S. She added in her statement that "congress must work together on bipartisan policies that keep manufacturing jobs in this country, develops clean energy, and supports infrastructure to transform our mobility future."

North America isn't the only area feeling cuts, as GM also says it will close the assembly plant in Gunsan, Korea in addition to two other non-North American plants by the end of next year.

Canadian leaders and union officials offered similar responses to the news GM would close the Oshawa Assembly Plant near Toronto in calling it "callous" with impending plans to fight the move.

"While the union does not have complete details of the overall announcement we have been informed that, as of now, there is no product allocated to the Oshawa Assembly Plant past December 2019," Unifor, the union representing the affected workers, said in a news release in response to the news.

"Based on commitments made during 2016 contract negotiations, Unifor does not accept this announcement and is immediately calling on GM to live up to the spirit of that agreement."

Jennifer French, the area's provincial representative, said in a statement that GM is abandoning "100 years of industry and community -- abandoning workers and families in Oshawa." She called the decision to close the plant and cut 2,500 jobs a "callous" one "that must be fought."