Tell GE: We Shouldn't Have to Choose Between Jobs and the Environment

General Electric is exploiting environmental concerns to sell its energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), but what it isn't telling consumers is that the bulbs are all coming from China while the company slashes investment – and jobs – in the United States.

IUE-CWA has launched a public information and petition campaign to urge GE to invest in U.S. plants and allow American workers to make the next generation of lighting products.  Go to www.ScrewThatBulb.org to sign the petition.

GE has been asking both consumers and its own workers to sign a pledge to "go green" and buy the CFLs, but in so doing, "GE is actually asking workers in its lighting plants to pledge to put themselves out of a job," IUE-CWA points out on the website.  It notes that GE has cut jobs in its lighting division by nearly 70 percent since 1980.

"Workers and consumers shouldn't have to choose between saving jobs and saving the environment," said IUE-CWA President Jim Clark.  "GE should do the right thing and invest in advanced technology that will stimulate our economy here at home."

An ironic twist to GE's "go green" marketing effort aimed at socially conscious citizens is the fact that China is one of the world's worst industrial polluters and also is known for suppression of workers' rights.