Greetings:
Here is the headline in today's local (Erie, PA) paper:
"GE Transportation to Build Plant in Texas, Add 250
Jobs in Erie"
https://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art ... ewssitemap" onclick="window.open(this.href);return
false;
There is plenty of capacity here in Erie. A lot of laid off people still
have not been called back. Why do you suppose GE (which paid $0 in U.S. income taxes
in 2010) is building in Texas? Simple: It's a right-to-work state. That means non-union
wages and benefits can be paid. There are also no personal income taxes in Texas, so
effectively the employees make more money.
The last right-sizing in Erie came
a couple years ago as GE exported a lot of the locomotive assembly to China. Those 250
additional jobs announced along with the Texas plant opening are just to pacify the
dupes. I predict that within a year of the new plant coming up to speed, Erie will begin
a slow (or fast) fade-out.
Isn't it interesting how the supposedly pro-union
folks that GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt hangs with (he's the Prez's economic advisor) purport
to be all about unions, by they screw their voting base when their own profits trump
member's welfare? If you're a union member I ask you this: How many times does it need
to happen before you wise up? Look at how your top union leaders are facilitating the
outsourcing of your jobs all over the world. Oh well, just fuggedaboutit. You still
have your job... for now.
_________________
- Kirt Blattenberger
RF Cafe Progenitor & Webmaster