BUCYRUS – Workers at the GE-Savant lighting facility in Bucyrus, Ohio are fighting for their jobs after the company issued a WARN notice, informing workers they intend to move the LED residential light bulb line out of the facility to China, permanently laying off 80 workers. The GE-Savant facility is one of the only residential lighting plants left in the USA, where workers currently make bulbs for Walmart.
Will Evans, GE-Savant worker and President of IUE-CWA Local 84704, which represents over 200 workers at the plant had this to say about the situation:
“This plant has been in the community for over 60 years and we are proud to clock in here everyday to make light bulbs. We want to do everything we can to keep these good jobs in our community. GE-Savant says it wants to keep our jobs here – well let’s leave no stone unturned. We are asking that the company cooperate with a joint labor-management study to see what can be done to keep this work in the plant. We are concerned not just about these 80 jobs – we are worried that if this product line leaves, the whole plant could close, leaving over 200 people out on the street. We are proposing a cost share for the study between the union, the company and the city.”
Union representatives are scheduled to meet with management from GE-Savant on Thursday, January 21 to discuss the union’s proposal to retain good jobs by bringing in an outside expert from Michigan State University to seek ways to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability through a joint labor management review of all of the current work processes.
Michigan State University’s School of Human Resources and Labor Relations has conducted dozens of successful studies with major U.S. corporations including General Motors, Kraft Foods, Nestle, Catholic Health Hospitals and Bridgestone Tires, and Coca-Cola.
“I have worked at this plant for 9 years. My job is essential to put food on the table for my family. If these jobs leave, it will hurt my family, my co-workers, and our entire community. We just want GE-Savant to do the right thing and keep these jobs here,” shared worker Patricia Horsley.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Bucyrus community members are joining in to say to GE/Savant: “Love us, Don’t leave us!” Buttons, signs and an online petition are being distributed throughout the town to supporters who are urging the company to keep the plant and the jobs in the community.