In Belfort, General Electric downgrades its social plan at Steam Power

It will not be 238 jobs, but 144 that will ultimately be cut in the Steam Power entity of General Electric, in Belfort (Territoire de Belfort). On Friday April 16, the management of the American giant said in a statement that “GE Steam Power Systems [avait] exchanged in a detailed and constructive manner with the staff representatives on the initial project and its assumptions. The discussions led to the retention of 94 positions. “ This is a symbolic first victory for the inter-union formed by the CFE-CGC, the CFDT and the CGT.

On December 8, 2020, GE announced a Job Protection Plan (PSE) at Steam Power in order to cut 238 jobs (engineers and executives) out of a total of 1,788, while order books were still full, “With visibility over a minimum of three years”, notes Laurent Humbert, of the CFE-CGC.

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The American energy conglomerate then justified these staff reductions by withdrawing from the market for new coal-fired power stations and refocusing on nuclear activity. Problem: “We have not had a coal-related project for over a year”, observes Mr. Humbert. “The staff assigned to this business have gradually switched to nuclear power, which has made it possible to absorb the heavy workload. “

“Untenable situation in several sectors”

This could further increase with EDF’s EPR2 project which, if it were to materialize, provides for the construction of six new nuclear reactors in France. GE and the German Siemens are in line to win this market of several tens of billions of euros. “It is difficult to see the French State ordering turbines and alternators from Siemens, while it is working to secure the French nuclear sector with the takeover of GE’s activity”, analysis Christian Mougenot, CFDT. Dominique Thiriet (CGT) confirms this: “Downsizing and losing key skills would be extremely damaging for the future. “

The PSE at Steam Power is added to an already long list of social plans that have shaken the Belfort site since May 2019

The unions consider that this new proposal is “Significant, but not sufficient”, judging the situation “Untenable in several sectors”. All continue to demand the suspension of the PES. Only, “We know GE”, underlines Laurent Humbert. “It’s going to be hard to get more. Now we have to mobilize the politicians. ” Like his union counterparts, he is calling for the arrival in Belfort of the Minister of the Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire.

The PSE at Steam Power is added to an already long list of social plans – within the gas, hydro (dams) and grid (electricity networks) – which have shaken the Belfort site since May 2019. “The Americans’ vision is short-term and purely financial”, sighs Christian Mougenot. “GE wants immediate profits, even if it means firing hundreds of employees. “