Aviation factory workers for General Electric are calling on the company to convert its jet engine factories to make ventilators and utilize laid-off workers to help in the process, reports the Boston Business Journal.
The Communication Workers of America (CWA) and its industrial unit (IUE-CWA) also demanded better protections against the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 775,000 worldwide and killed more than 37,000.
GE announced last week that it would lay off about 10 percent of its workforce, or nearly 2,600 workers, and enforce a “temporary” lay off of 50 percent of its maintenance workers in an attempt to save the company “500 million to $1 billion,” though the company also said it was teaming up with Ford Motor Co. and 3M to ramp up production of 3M respirators, GE ventilators and new 3-D printed face shields to fight the novel coronavirus.
“GE is working around the clock to increase production of much-needed medical equipment. GE Healthcare has already doubled ventilator production capacity, with a plan to double it again by June, in addition to partnering with Ford Motor Company to further increase ventilator production," the company said in a statement. "We continue to explore additional opportunities to support the fight against COVID-19, while continuing to support mission-critical work for our customers as well.”
CWA says bringing back the workers is necessary.
“Our country depends on these highly skilled workers, and now they wonder why they are facing layoffs, instead of having the opportunity to use their unbelievable skills to help save lives,” CWA President Chris Shelton told reporters Monday, according to the publication.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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