GE Security laying off 80 workers

By Bill Henry
Local News - Tuesday, November 21, 2006 Updated @ 12:19:41 PM

Sun Times staff

About 80 workers at GE Security in Owen Sound, formerly Edwards Canada,

will lose their jobs after Christmas.

Company officials told workers at the plant Tuesday General Electric will

transfer sheet metal production to subcontracted manufacturers in the new

year. The plants sheet metal workers, many of them long-term employees at

the Owen Sound plant, and some office support staff will get formal layoff

notices some time in January and February.

Were trying to give people as much notice as possible, said Kim Warburton,

communications leader for GE Canada.

GE Security currently employs about 320 people in Owen Sound. The company

makes fire alarms, sprinkler systems, fire exit signs, safety lights,

security systems and metal cabinets.

GE purchased the former Edwards plant from its parent SPX Corporation two

years ago as part of a $1.4-billion deal involving four plants in Canada,

the U.S., China and South Africa.

A GE Infrastructure spokesperson said at the time job losses among the

2,400 Edwards employees at the four plants was to be expected as part of

the takeover.

The Owen Sound facility then had about 400 employees.

Warburton said would she could not say if more job cuts are likely at the

Owen Sound facility.

This announcement is for the 80 positions. Were certainly not announcing

today a big closure, she said.

The news staff heard Tuesday morning follows a recent review of business

operations.

Its an extremely competitive marketplace and it made sense from a

business perspective to sub contract the sheet metal work, she said.

Although workers at the plant were probably expecting it Warburton said

such news always comes as a shock, even with the lead time. The company is

offering help through its out placement and employee assistance programs.

Layoffs for United Steelworkers members will follow terms of their

collective agreement, while salaried employees will get notices which

follow provincial labour regulations, she said.

It will all be done in the fairest way possible.