Ge Vernova, the division of General Electric that deals with energy activities, will cut 600 jobs in Europe, of which 120 in France, particularly at the Belfort gas turbine site. The plan was announced on 4 September at European level, he told theAfp Christophe Carignano (CFE-CGC), secretary of the social and economic committee at GE EPF, the French gas turbine manufacturing unit, said: "According to Carignano, management is not launching a job protection plan, but rather a collective dismissal agreement." "The goal of this plan is to proceed very quickly," Carignano added.
Reportedly, during the company-union meeting, artificial intelligence was discussed as a possible replacement for human resources staff.
Asked by theAfpThe group simply stated: "When we develop restructuring plans, we first communicate them to our employees and their representatives." And then: "At every stage, we comply with the regulatory framework, including formal consultation with employee representatives, before such plans are finalized and/or implemented," management added, explaining that "GE Vernova constantly reviews its operations to ensure the company is best positioned to maintain growth and continue to meet customer expectations."
For the unions, obviously, this announcement does not reflect the group's difficulties. "The order book is full," Carignano assured, accusing GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik of having used the US tariff increases to justify cost reductions. Although the company is American, its products manufactured in the EU are subject to 15% duties upon entry into the US.
Those affected by the cuts will be those relating to support activities, human resources, project management, financial services and quality, reports Afp. Ge Vernova occupa 25.000 Guests in Europe of which 8.000 in France.
Ge Vernova cuts jobs: what the numbers say
But here's what the data released suggest from the company relating to the economic health status of the same. Reuters, in July, reported that Ge Vernova had beaten Wall Street estimates for second-half profit, thus raising its full-year forecast. However, it reports Reuters that the wind segment of Ge Vernova has recorded heavy losses: in the second half of the year the loss recorded was 165 million dollars, partly also due to the increase in service costs.
