MP will 'fight' for Rugby's General Electric workers as Technology Drive power conversion site faces potential closure

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey said he will fight for GE workers in the town as proposals to close the Technology Drive power conversion site, affecting 197 workers, enter a 90-day consultation.
The GE power conversion site on Technology Drive.The GE power conversion site on Technology Drive.
The GE power conversion site on Technology Drive.

In December last year the Advertiser reported on 500 jobs in Rugby being threatened by GE proposals to 'restructure' itself amid what they said are difficult market conditions - part of the restructuring was a proposal to shut Rugby's power conversion site.

And now, GE said employees have been informed and proposals to close the site have entered a consultation which will last at least 90 days - with the potential outcome being that production at the Rugby site is moved to Nancy in France.

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A spokesperson for GE stressed that the proposals are not definite, and are part of a larger restructuring scheme.

Mr Pawsey said: “I have been heavily involved in fighting GE’s corner on behalf of its employees for over a year and have met with the management team in Rugby, and representatives of the work force, on many occasions both locally and in Westminster.

"In recent months I have held meetings with Government ministers and helped facilitate meetings between those ministers and representatives of the company. In the coming weeks I will be meeting with the Secretary of State for Defence to once again press the case for GE and fight for the workforce.”

But Dr Debbie Bannigan, Rugby Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate, said Mr Pawsey has not done enough to stand up for GE.

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"‘I’ll continue to work alongside Unite and the GE management team to try to find a way to save the Rugby factory and I invite Mark Pawsey to get on board with the campaign, even at this late stage, and speak up for his constituents," she said.