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Read comments (5)Bryan McGuire, communications leader for GE Energy Environmental Services in Raytown confirmed Wednesday, Sept. 10, that the step was taken to compensate for a seasonal downturn in business.
"We have seen that products produced in Slater are seasonal," he said. "Typically, we see a downturn at this time of year. This year's expected downturn has been slightly steeper than usual."
McGuire stressed that any cutbacks are voluntary and that employees were asked "considering their own personal circumstances, to consider voluntary reductions in their hours."
"Feedback we have received after those meetings indicated that the employee population felt good about this approach," he said. "They appreciated the opportunity to work on the problem together."
"As all businesses do, we are always looking at whether we are meeting our markets and customers' needs," McGuire added. "Sometimes, what we find requires changes -- in that case, we would first talk to our employees and then to the media."
prd, you'll have to ask GE that question.
I have no knowledge about the facility in Slater, and, in fact, I wasn't even aware that GE had anything going there, but knowing how larger corporations view their relationship with employees nowadays...
You're showing me a little of the other side of the coin, which sounds like it has a much brighter outlook, and that's good. Working 10-hour days plus Saturdays makes this consession less of an issue, I imagine.
Is the plant located where Baghouse used to be, or is this the same thing? (I'm not sure if Baghouse is the proper name.)
Well, Slater, don't you think GE has thought about that, looking into manufacturing something else?
It's just a slow time of year for them, as always-however, with the economy like it is, just makes it worse. And ya, feed back is good, because the outcome could have been a whole lot worse. Give it a couple months- it'll be back to 10 hr days and Saturdays.
Voluntary reduction of hours is a fair way; however, what happens if not enough people volunteer, or not enough hours are given back? Does GE impose some kind of arbitrary reduction?
Surely GE could add or change products being manufactured in the Slater facility so that this kind of situation doesn't have to be faced.
Bryan McGuire, the "communications leader," says feedback is good from the "employee population." Wow, I want this guy for my communications leader!
I JUST HOPE THAT GE DOESNT SHUT DOWN BECAUSE THATS REALLY WHAT KEEPS SLATER GOING! AND I LIVE IN SLATER AND THE ONLY THING ELSE THAT SLATER HAS REALLY IS THE DOLLAR STORE!
GE has instituted a novel approach to the slowdown.
By making hourly reductions voluntary, it gives the single folks and other people who don't have young children at home an opportunity to assist those that do. Times are hard and getting harder and its in times like these that families suffer most. It takes a lot of money to raise kids. Rather than simply laying off folks regardless of their family status, this approach allows more flexibility and will hopefully help families cope with the economic downturn a bit better.
As they say in Australia, good on ya GE!!!!!