ERIE, Pa. (AP) _ GE Transportation has received an order for 233 locomotives for South Africa‘s TransNet Freight Rail, but union officials say the deal won’t mean much work for its western Pennsylvania plants.
Scott Duke, president of Local 506 of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers, tells the Erie Times-News (http://bit.ly/1oo2xz6 ) the contract will provide minimal work at GE Transportation’s plant in Erie County.
That’s because the locomotives will be built in South Africa, using parts made there along with engines built at another GE plant in Grove City.
Duke says the Erie County workers will be involved only in manufacturing five prototypes.
GE Transportation didn’t announce the value of the deal.
TransNet hauls coal and iron ore exported from South Africa and is spending about $18.6 billion to expand its cargo capacity.
