GE Erie (Grove City, Lawrence Park, Wesleyville: fit in, for sale, home)

[Honest Bob]

Just laid off 1400 employee's.

One machine shop that did support work laid off 250 employee's.

Another machine shop that did support work closed and laid off 125 employee's.

It won't be long now boys!

[bethany12]

Ge laid off 200 earlier this year in Grove City. They expect more to come.

[HeadedWest]

Railroad shipping is way down. I can't imagine there is much demand for new locos.

[Honest Bob]

Erie has not had a single order all year.

Their plans are to lay off as many employees as necessary to keep their heads above water. Call them back, when and if they get any new orders.

Just 2 years ago, the Transportation Division was the only one to show a profit in the whole corporation.

I imagine that is the reason why NBC is for sale right now.

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by Internet Superman

Just laid off 1400 employee's.

One machine shop that did support work laid off 250 employee's.

Another machine shop that did support work closed and laid off 125 employee's.

It won't be long now boys!

I left Erie in 2006 and my prediction was that it would be closed within five years of me leaving. That's a total of approximately 3500 people laid off this year. I remember in the late 70's...........you couldn't be near Wesleyville or Lawrence Park any time during the day. The parking lots were completely full of workers cars. Those lots haven't seen cars in well over 25 years, and a number of buildings have been closed down. Very very sad.

[Rtom45]

If there is a bright side to this, its that of the 1400 people to be laid off, about 700 were able to use early retirement. Even though its not good, 700 laid off is better than 1400.

[bethany12]

Originally Posted by Rtom45

If there is a bright side to this, its that of the 1400 people to be laid off, about 700 were able to use early retirement. Even though its not good, 700 laid off is better than 1400.

Trains and public transit are not the future. There will be more layoffs coming for GE.

[Ohiogirl81]

It is sad. And aside from the human cost to the laid-off workers and their families, should the plant fail, it will have many repercussions. Lawrence Park Township and the Iroquois school district likely will not be able to survive as independent entities without GE and its tax support. The school district definitely will have to merge, and might be forced to do so whether the plant stays open or not. And although they don't get traffic from GE workers as much as they once did, some of the businesses in Lawrence Park will not survive, either.

And then ... what happens to all that land?

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

I remember in the late 70's...........you couldn't be near Wesleyville or Lawrence Park any time during the day.

My mom still plans her trips around "GE traffic." And I still expect to hear the whistle blowing at certain times in the day to announce shift changes, lunch, etc. When I heard the 4:50 whistle blowing in the afternoons, I knew it was time to high-tail it home for dinner!

[pman]

Originally Posted by bethany12

Trains and public transit are not the future. There will be more layoffs coming for GE.

warren buffett seems to disagree.

[Krisps]

I've heard people predicting the end of GE in Erie for nearly 25 years. The past few years have been pretty good however, much better than just about anyone would have predicted. With GE's hybrid loco, growing economy in Asia, and demand for refurbishments, I think things will pick up again once the global economy recovers.