GE Healthcare in Madison lays off about 140 workers as ventilator production slows
January 19, 2021 10:15 AM
Naomi Kowles
Updated:
MADISON, Wis. — More than 90 employees at General Electric Datex-Ohmeda in Madison were laid off on Friday, January 15, the second round of layoffs following a decrease in production of ventilators and anesthesia machines. Friday’s layoffs followed a round of about 50 employees laid off in December 2020, according to the district chapter of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union.
The Madison plant ramped up hiring efforts last spring with about 250 employees brought on to increase ventilator production after General Electric received a $336 million contract under the Defense Production Act in April 2020 to produce 50,000 ventilators by June 13, 2020. Vice President Mike Pence visited the Madison plant last April to highlight the increased production.