Union vote, incentives bring battery plant to Schenectady

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2009/08/03/daily16.html

Wednesday, August 5, 2009, 8:48am EDT | Modified: Wednesday, August 5, 2009, 3:45pm

The Business Review (Albany) - by Pam Allen

General Electric Co. has committed to build a $100 million battery plant on the company's Schenectady campus following union approval of contract amendments and a package of incentives from the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority.

Late Tuesday, workers with IUE-CWA Local 301 easily approved an amendment to a labor contract.

The measure passed 785-363, according to the union’s Web site. Union members at GE Global Research Center in Niskayuna and GE’s Schenectady campus voted on an amendment to a four-year national contract that was ratified in 2007.

The incentives announced today from Metroplex include a $5 million grant and a payment in lieu of taxes agreement that sets the value of the plant to the city at $65 million for 10 years.

The plant would open in 2011 and create 350 jobs. Susan Savage, chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature, praised the union for supporting the new business.

“This project has the potential to be one of the largest investments in the history of Schenectady County,” Savage said.

FULL story at link.