by Sarika Sharma
AN INDUSTRIAL giant is to axe 70 jobs in December hitting workers over the Christmas period.
GE Healthcare is the biggest employer in the district and staffs 3,000 people but a decline in sales in its Life Sciences department in White Lion Road, Little Chalfont, has lead to the redundancies.
The division sells radio-active compounds for research centres but owing to advances in technology the product is now rivalled by non-radio-active substances.
Andy Annett, a spokesperson for Prospect Union at GE Healthcare, said: "We were given the news last week that around 70 jobs would go at the GE Heålthcare Grove Centre Site. The company has given a change in the strategic direction as the key driver for deciding to exit this market. We were saddened and disappointed with the news and concerned with the potential impact on our members given the relatively short notice period and the closeness to Christmas. Sadly though, there is no good time to receive this news.
"However, I am pleased to report that the union and the cmpany have already been working on the arrangements to support the staff and provide help in looking both inside and outside of GE Healthcare for new jobs. The impacted staff were deeply shocked by the news but they have shown great professionalism in response to this difficult time."
He said on a personal note he is proud to have worked directly with many of them and can vouch for the fact that they are a great team and have done a great job for the company.
Andy added: "I wish them all the very best for the future and to ensure them that the Union will push to give them as much support as possible."
Post to: del.icio.us | Digg |