Appliance Park Has 576 New Production Assembly Workers, The First Since 1994

Exciting times
The hiring of 576 assembly production workers over the past year or so marks the first hiring of hourly workers at Appliance Park since 1994. "To start hiring again is very exciting for Appliance Park, because it means growth," says Betsy Kelien, Human Resources Specialist. "For many of our workers who had family members retire from here, it means they may have the same opportunity. If the business continues to grow and the economy is good, we'll be hiring again in 2007. That would be good news for everybody."

When Appliance Park opened its doors for business in the early 1950s, thousands of people lined up to apply for the good GE jobs. A lot has changed since those early days – not only in the appliances we make, but also in how we make them. What hasn't changed is the fact that people are still lining up for GE jobs.

From Oct. 17, 2005 until July 18, 2007, Appliance Park has added 576 new production assembly workers. More than 11,000 people applied for those jobs.

Competitive Wage Agreement
The new hires are the result of the Competitive Wage Agreement. Signed in September 2005 by the Union and the Company, the Agreement instituted a wage structure designed to make Appliance Park more competitive in the global marketplace. Under the Agreement, the initial starting wage was $12.88 an hour. With Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) and other general increases that starting wage is now up to $13.75 an hour. Anyone working second or third shift also receives a night shift bonus. The new hires also receive the full GE benefits package.

Hiring process
GE posted its production assembly jobs with the Kentucky Office of Employment. "We asked the state to send us people who met certain criteria," says Betsy. Potential new hires had to:

• Be 18 years and older,
• have a high school education or equivalent, and
• a good work history.

Of the initial 7,000 people who applied in October 2005, GE interviewed 663 and hired 139. After the interview, all candidates must follow requirements of the hiring process, which includes pre-hire testing to evaluate their physical skills, dexterity, and the ability to follow instructions. "Our goal is to hire great people who can do the job and are really excited about coming to work for GE," says Betsy. "Our hiring efforts have paid off. All we hear are good things about the people we've hired."