Posted on 07/30/2004 2:21:33 PM PDT by Willie Green
For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.
General Electric Co. plans to lay off about 525 employees at its refrigerator plant in Bloomington, Ind., and move work to a plant in Celaya, Mexico, the company announced Friday.
The plant is part of the company's Louisville-based GE Consumer & Industrial unit, which manufactures appliances, lighting and various other products for the worldwide conglomerate.
The union that represents workers at the plant had said last week that about 600 layoffs were expected. The workers, who make one of GE's higher-end, side-by-side models of refrigerator, are expected to be laid off by March.
"After the elimination of these jobs, GE will continue to employ more than 1,100 workers at its Bloomington facility," Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan said in a news release. "We are hopeful that we can continue to work with GE to address their business needs in order to give Indiana a fighting chance at protecting their workers' livelihoods and ensure the company's future presence in Bloomington."
GE also cut about 1,400 jobs in 1999 when it moved work to a plant in Mexico.
I'm familiar with that plant - obviously, it's a union shop.
I don't know much about declining union membership in the US vs. Mexico, but I do know they build a quality refrigerator much cheaper.
I haul freight(fridge doors) out of there.
This non union freight hauler loses another customer.
I also made deliveriers in and out of the Thomposon (old RCA) plant in Marion, Indiana.
Also now closed.
On the other hand I made a lot of deliveries to Home Depot this year!
Yes, I recall. I don't pretend to know the mind of God. I just have a trust and faith in Him that He knows what He's doing. ;) Which, gives me hope and optimism no matter what happens.
Hauling freight is a good business. Hope you pick up 2 more customers to the one you lost. Hope things go well with you.
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