ALSTOM employees’ concerns about a proposed takeover were taken to the corridors of power this week.
MP Mark Pawsey met with business minister Michael Fallon to discuss the proposed sale of the firm which employs 700 people in Rugby to GE Energy, and seek assurances those will be retained if the bid succeeds.
And the minister pledged to communicate to both firms how important what Mr Pawsey described as high value jobs were to the town.
Alstom has set up an internal committee to evaluate the GE offer which will report at the end of May.
German engineering and electronics company Siemens is also reported to be considering a bid for the company which can be traced back to British Thomson-Houston in the late 1800s.
Mr Pawsey said: “A number of my constituents have contacted me concerning the Alstom presence in Rugby, where 700 people are employed.
“Minister Michael Fallon told us 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 GE are aware of local concerns and will seek assurances the position of UK employees will be same as those elsewhere in the company.”
