Rep. Kelly Statement on GE Announcement

ERIE — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) issued the following statement today in response to this morning’s announcement by GE Transportation regarding imminent layoffs at its manufacturing plant in Erie.

“The news today is very unfortunate for the many families in the Erie community that will be effected. There have been troubling signs for a little while now in both the mining and commodities markets, both of which are important to the GE Transportation plant in Erie. Those markets have been down and have yet to rebound. I spoke with the new CEO, Jamie Miller, just a couple of weeks ago in Washington, DC, and she confirmed that these troubling signs would probably lead to a workforce reduction.

“Today’s announcement is also reminder that we need to continue to aggressively support GE’s efforts to secure international orders. Erie plays an important role in GE’s global work, so that when those sales are made, Erie benefits. This is equally as important for the supplier network for GE Transportation and those jobs in Western Pennsylvania. 

“Erie is a resilient community and we’ll get through this, but for far too many of our friends and family today is a very tough day.”

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