MP for Rugby, Mark Pawsey and MP for Stafford, Jeremy Lefroy met with Business Minister, Michael Fallon MP to discuss concerns of their constituents over the proposed takeover of Alstom’s Power Business to GE Energy. Alstom employ 700 staff in Rugby and 2000 in Stafford. Alstom have set up an internal committee to evaluate the GE offer which will report at the end of May. At the same time another company, Siemens, is also considering whether or not to make a bid.
Mark said: “A number of my constituents have contacted me concerning the Alstom presence in Rugby, where 700 people are employed. They are aware that the power generation interests of the company are subject to an offer by GE Energy and are seeking assurances that jobs will be retained if the bid succeeds.
“At our meeting Minister Michael Fallon told us that he was fully aware of the position in respect of both Alstom and GE and that his officials are in regular contact with both companies. He recognises the need to retain the expertise in steam turbine technology that exists in Rugby together with the high value jobs that go with it.
“As a consequence the Minister will ensure that GE are aware of local concerns and will seek assurances that the position of UK employees will be same as those elsewhere in the company,”