GE seeks to boost productivity, Warehouse work outsourcing studied

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070908/BUSINESS/709080404/1003

By Jere Downs
jdowns@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

General Electric Co. management informed 275 warehouse employees at Appliance Park this week that their work could be outsourced to a contractor if productivity does not improve.

The union employees work in GE's 47-acre distribution center. Dishwashers and refrigerators made at Appliance Park travel by conveyor belts to the warehouse, where workers sort, store and load the appliances. They also load and unload foreign-made microwaves, washers and other appliances brought by rail and trucks from Mexico and major ports.

Many are senior Appliance Park employees who earn about $23 an hour, IUE/CWA Local 761 President Tommy Spires said. Overtime pay at $36 an hour is common, he added.

Both management and union officials say productivity can be improved.

GE spokeswoman Kim Freeman said meetings to discuss the situation took place Thursday.

"We also informed employees that we are evaluating other productivity measures like outsourcing the warehouse distribution," she said.

FULL story at link.

May they rot.

:grr:

are they slave drivers. I'm sure they work hard.