First of all GE created the T and D rate to create division within us union brothers and sisters. So that we wont have a solid voice if ever we don't agree on what GE would do with its company which it already happened. 301 agreed on the creation of the T rate because they have to. They cant fire the D rate because its costly to GE and they need workers. Its easier to fire T rates because its cost effective. GE were tired of the lazy D rate and they need to get work done so they hired lot of T rates. They told T rates not to complain even if other guys were earning $10 more than themselves. T rates accepted that because most of them need money to survive and give food and shelter for their family. Others, who have all their relatives worked with GE in the past, accepted the offer hoping GE would get better and be like their fathers and brothers. For me, I accepted the T rate because its GE. Just by the name of it makes you proud to be working with the company. Plus its the only biggest company here in Schenectady. I need work, I need money and I need job security. Which up until now I don't have, even working with GE for years. When we started working management told us to work hard so that you can inspire others to work hard also. A lot of T rates have a hard time doing that because a lot of the D rates were just sitting down and doing nothing. And they earn more than us. D rates don't even train us well on the job at hand and they have the guts to call us incompetent. The effectiveness of the worker is based on how well they were trained. A lot of T rates have to learn their work by themselves, taking notes and pictures. Asking some other workers on other shift what's the most effective way to do the job. They don't train us well so that we wont be qualified to do OT which they want it for themselves. With that culture, T rates also adapted the same. That was how they were trained. We were trained also to have 2 hours of break time instead of ten and fifteen minutes. In fairness, not all of the D rates are lazy. I know a lot of them who were hard working and you wont see them sitting down even in break time. A lot of them were smart and fun to work with. With these, I am very thankful for all those who I worked with. T rate and D rate. Those were the fun years. Its sad that its all gone for us but we have to move on and be proud with the experience in working with GE. Good luck on the people who were laid off and good luck also for the people who were left behind. GE is on a downward spiral since 2016. Because of the CEOs. They did nothing to improve GE's products. They were focused on the shareholders and not GE itself. They were focused on how much money they can get from GE.
6 replies (most recent on top)
Well at least you're on top. On top of all the feces!!!
Did someone say pay cut? D rate actually care about the next generation of workers? Nobody voted for the tier system, remember? T rate don't you worry this group of self entitled high school dropouts are gonna get theirs. I'm fortunate enough to be at a plant that is shutting down and look at the faces of all these people scared to death knowing they cant go anywhere with their skillset making the money they do. Poetic Justice.
2011 the Union would have had the balls of GE by standing their position and should had fought for just one united rate and not creating a T rate. But GE got their balls and the Union let it pass coz they got something under the table. That year GE really need work force but GE management in Schenectady was trying to impress their boss that they could save money by cutting the salary of the manufacturing workers. Their excuse was the recession but in truth they are just trying to make money for their shareholders. Boom! there goes the middle class income family. There goes the buying power of the dollar. Down the drain. Rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.
No Unity at GE. All whine asses should get fired. T-rate or D-rate.
Union brothers and sisters could have united around an across the board pay cut vs two tiers, right?
I tired of hearing about union brothers and sisters... it is amazing how quick you all turn on each other... so much for being brothers and sisters!