LYNN — Fifty-nine General Electric River Works engineers were given layoff notices Thursday in a move a company spokesman described as the first layoffs announced at the West Lynn aviation engine manufacturer in more than a decade.
Richard Gorham said the laid off engineers received 60 day notices that include company offers to help them find new jobs. According to Gorham,the layoffs are “due to the cycle of engineering work” and said layoffs, also announced on Thursday, of more than 200 engineers at a GE Ohio plant, overshadow the River Works reduction.
“Five years ago, there was an unprecedented level of new engineers, but the work moves on. We are trying to minimize the impact,” Gorham said.
International Union of Electrical Workers Local 201 President Peter Capano confirmed that the engineers are non-bargaining unit employees and said: “The company says they are working to bring work into Lynn. We’re trying to remain hopeful.”
Gorham said the engineers are among 800 who work at the plant. The River Works’ total employment is about 2,800 workers.
