GE Healthcare Lays Off 10 Percent

GE Healthcare is laying off about 10 percent of its approximately 500 employees at its Vermont operation in South Burlington.

But the company says it will try to find "alternate roles" for the workers.

GE Healthcare spokesman Benjamin Fox says the company needed to "make tough decisions in the current business climate."

Fox wouldn't say how many workers 10 percent represented, but the Burlington Free Press (http://bfpne.ws/ZBHr4W) is reporting the company had 527 workers last January.

GE Healthcare specializes in information technology for the health care industry

Vermont Deputy Commerce Secretary Patricia Moulton Powden says the loss of jobs is tragic, but there are other high-tech companies in the area looking for talented employees.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.