GE cuts workers at Niles glass plant

NILES — General Electric is making more cuts to its Mahoning Valley operations as it eliminates 13 jobs at its Mahoning Glass Plant.

Fewer workers are needed because of falling sales of incandescent light bulbs, said Janice Fraser, a GE spokeswoman. Sales are down because of the slowing U.S. economy but also because of the increasing popularity of compact fluorescent light bulbs, known as CFLs, which are more energy-efficient.

With the reduction in force, the plant will go from operating seven days a week to five. The plant has 89 hourly employees and eight salaried workers. It is adjacent to a GE plant that closed in February.

The operating plant produces pressed glass which is used by other GE plants, including one in Warren, and outside customers.

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