Dozens of active and retired members of Local 794 in Albuquerque, NM, took to the streets this week to oppose a decision by G.E. Aviation to close a jet engine facility that has been an economic anchor in the Albuquerque community for more than 30 years.
“There’s no reason this plant can’t be saved,” said Local 794 President Ernest Dow in an interview broadcast on New Mexico’s KRQE News 13. “The workers here are dedicated workers, they’re skilled workers. All General Electric has to do is keep this work in house.”
General Electric announced last week that it intends to close the Albuquerque plant in the fall of 2010. The move will put more than 400 G.E. employees out of work and cost up to 1,400 additional workers their jobs when the impact of the closure spreads to sub-contractors, retail establishments and municipal employees.
“The closure of this facility could result in the loss of $25 to $30 million in economic activity,” said Western Territory GVP Gary Allen, who hails from the Albuquerque plant. “The unemployment rate in New Mexico is already at the highest level in 10 years and any decision about this plant must include all stakeholders, including state and local officials, as well as workers and their representatives.”
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