400 Could Be Out Of Work In Fall Of 2010

GE Aviation workers staged a rally outside the company's Albuquerque plant Monday in an effort to convince GE management that the plant should not be closed. The plant, which has been in operation for 30 years, is slated to be shuttered in the fall of 2010. Some 400 workers are looking at unemployment if that happens.

Albuquerque television station KRQE reports that the employees, both current and retired, carried signs with messages such as "Fighting For Albuquerue's Future". The plant makes parts for GE aviation engines. A spokesperson for GE Aviation told the station last week that the company has no choice but to close the plant because production has fallen off in the recession.

But Ernest Dow, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker, has a differing opinion. “There's no reason this plant can't be saved. The workers here are dedicated workers, they're highly skilled. All General Electric has to do is keep the work in house,” he said.

GE Aviation said the Albuquerque plant is the only one of the company's 10 manufacturing facilities in danger of closing.

FMI: www.ge.com