French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday he would fight to save jobs at a General Electric Co (GE) factory in eastern France where more than 1,000 posts are threatened, reports Reuters.
GE earlier on Tuesday said it was considering ways to cut costs and make its operations more efficient in France in response to a shrinking market for power plants. While details have not been finalised, GE’s plan calls for cutting up to 1,044 positions, mainly at its Belfort site, which employs 4,300 people.
GE said the plan would potentially cut 792 out of 1,900 jobs at the gas power unit, and possibly 252 other support positions.
The remaining reductions also would occur mainly at Belfort, which handles gas, steam, nuclear and hydro technology, GE said.
The proposed reductions are separate from 1,000 jobs GE said it cut from its power unit in the first quarter.
GE presented its plans to French union officials on Tuesday, kicking off negotiations. The proposals “are in line with the company’s intention to improve operational and financial performance of its gas activities,” GE said.
But job reductions face a tough climate in France. Le Maire said on Tuesday France would seek four guarantees in exchange for supporting a proposed merger between Renault and Fiat Chrysler, including preserving industrial jobs and factories. It could not be learned whether GE plans other reductions in power operations in Europe.