IUE-CWA and GE Reach Labor Peace Agreement on Proposed New York Offshore Wind Facilities

Schenectady, N.Y. — IUE-CWA and GE announced today that they have reached a labor peace agreement regarding two facilities that GE is proposing to build as part of New York’s ongoing investments in offshore wind generation. GE’s proposed factories would create approximately 870 direct jobs and over 3,000 total jobs, including construction and other indirect jobs.

The agreement establishes a process for employees at the two proposed facilities to decide on whether or not to join IUE-CWA, while the employer remains neutral during the organizing process.

Approximately 825 of GE Vernova’s U.S. employees – including about 700 in New York – are represented by contracts with IUE-CWA. The agreement will help ensure smooth and uninterrupted operations of the manufacturing facilities.

In a joint statement, officials from the two organizations said:

“As a leader in the US wind industry and the company that introduced the first 12MW + offshore wind turbine, GE Vernova is pleased to have worked with the IUE-CWA on this labor peace agreement associated with our proposal to build two state-of-the-art offshore wind factories in New York. Our organizations have a long history of working together and share common goals of addressing climate change and creating offshore wind manufacturing opportunities in New York State.”
- Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova

“This forward-looking, historic agreement reflects the commitment of both IUE-CWA members and GE to addressing climate change and ensuring that green jobs are good jobs. It will strengthen communities throughout the Capital region in New York and, through establishing an apprenticeship program, we will provide real opportunity for workers who have too often been left behind to benefit from investments in offshore wind.”
- Carl Kennebrew, IUE-CWA President

In January, GE submitted a plan to New York State to construct two new manufacturing facilities in New York if it wins a sufficient volume of orders from customers in the state’s ongoing solicitation for up to 4.6 GW of offshore wind. Together, the two facilities would create approximately 870 direct jobs, with the goal of approximately 35% of those jobs coming from disadvantaged communities, as well as around 1,000 construction jobs and 1,400 other indirect jobs. GE’s proposal includes a program called Pathways to Wind that will give historically under-served communities across the Capitol region exposure, education, and training in the emerging offshore wind industry.

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About GE Renewable Energy

GE Renewable Energy, an integral part of the GE Vernova portfolio of energy businesses, is a nearly $13 billion business which combines one of the broadest portfolios in the renewable energy industry to provide end-to-end solutions for our customers demanding reliable and affordable green power. Combining onshore and offshore wind, blades, hydro, storage, utility-scale solar, and grid solutions, as well as hybrid renewables and digital services offerings, GE Renewable Energy has installed more than 400+ gigawatts of clean renewable energy and equipped more than 90 percent of utilities worldwide with its grid solutions. With around 36,000 employees present in more than 80 countries, GE Renewable Energy creates value for customers seeking to power the world with affordable, reliable and sustainable green electrons.

GE Vernova, a dynamic accelerator comprising our Power, Renewable Energy, Digital and Energy Financial Services businesses, is focused on supporting customers’ transformations during the global energy transition.

Follow us at www.ge.com/renewableenergy, on www.linkedin.com/company/gerenewableenergy, or on twitter.com/GErenewables.

About IUE-CWA
As the Industrial Division of the Communications Workers of America, IUE-CWA proudly represents 40,000 workers united collectively to seek dignity on the job and a secure future for ourselves, our families and communities. Our workers are a skilled workforce in critical industries including energy, aerospace, national defense, and transportation.
www.iue-cwa.org.