GE cutting Niles workforce

NILES — General Electric is laying off 21 workers at one of its Niles plants and temporarily closing the other.

The layoffs at the Mahoning Glass Plant are to begin Oct. 1 and are related to general slowdown in orders, said Janice Fraser, a GE spokeswoman.

The plant, which has 125 employees, produces glass that is used in floodlights and spotlights.

Dennis Hyda, shop steward for United Electrical Workers Local 751, said union leaders were told in August that the plant adjacent to the Mahoning Plant, which is known as the Niles Glass Plant, will close temporarily in mid-October. The plant employs 50 and makes glass for outdoor lights, such as street lights.

A reopening date hasn’t been announced, but Hyda said he hopes it is at the beginning of next year. Fraser said that plant is typically closed at the end of each year.

For more on this story, see The Vindicator or www.vindy.com Friday.