GE set to eliminate 13 jobs at Valley plant

By Don Shilling

An economic slowdown and popular new bulbs are cited as reasons for cutbacks at the Mahoning 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.

A year ago, the International Union of Electrical Workers kicked off a publicity campaign to stress the damage being caused to domestic lighting plants by the new bulbs. Union leaders called on GE to invest in domestic plants so they could produce fluorescent lights, which the union said are being made in China.

Since then, GE has announced two plant closings locally. Its Niles Glass Plant, which produced high-intensity lights such as street lights, closed in February. Its Austintown Products Plant, which produces filaments for incandescent bulbs, is to close in October.

The closings affect about 130 workers, although about half are eligible to retire.

The latest cuts come at the Mahoning Glass Plant, which is adjacent to the closed plant in Niles. The operating plant produces pressed glass, which is used by other GE plants, including one in Warren, and outside customers.

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.

In an attempt to avoid layoffs, GE is offering a retirement package to workers. Workers who are at least 55 and have at least 25 years of service can retire with a GE pension and benefits, including health care. Workers who are at least 60 would receive a $16,000 bonus, plus their pension and benefits.

Employees must retire by May 1 to receive the benefits. The layoffs would be made the following day.

GE’s Ohio Lamp Plant in Warren employs 350 hourly workers, who make a variety of incandescent bulbs.

shilling@vindy.com