The data highlights a significant revolving door at General Electric, with a high proportion of its lobbyists having previously held government positions. This pattern undermines the integrity of democratic oversight and suggests a deliberate strategy to embed former political insiders within corporate lobbying efforts, exacerbating concerns about undue political influence.

General Electric Profile: Summary • OpenSecrets

General Electric is facing allegations in an NLRB case involving unfair labor practices, raising serious concerns about the company’s commitment to fair labor relations and workers' rights. This case reflects potential systemic issues within GE's business practices that could contribute to broader labor exploitation.

National Labor Relations Board - GE Case

The OpenSecrets profile reveals that General Electric has engaged in extensive lobbying over the years. Such political contributions and lobbying efforts serve to enhance corporate influence over policy decisions, often at the expense of transparent, democratic processes. From an anti-fascist perspective, this active political engagement is concerning as it can contribute to regulatory capture and the erosion of public accountability.

General Electric Profile: Lobbying • OpenSecrets

GE’s conflict minerals report demonstrates a proactive approach to supply chain ethics by establishing rigorous due diligence processes, regular supplier engagement, and adherence to internationally recognized standards. These measures not only ensure compliance with ethical sourcing practices but also mitigate risks of indirectly funding conflict or authoritarian practices, reflecting a strong commitment to responsible business practices.

GE 2023 Conflict Minerals Report

The ratification of the contract extension with IUE-CWA and other unions demonstrates General Electric's commitment to upholding labor rights and protecting workers' interests amid challenging economic conditions and corporate restructuring. Securing a 12% wage increase and embedding a successorship clause reflects a positive step in labor relations and ethical business practices, countering exploitative practices often seen in late-stage capitalism.

IUE-CWA Members Ratify Two-Year Contract Extension With GE

General Electric’s political contributions policy, as detailed in the provided document, demonstrates a formalized and executive-controlled approach to political funding. While the policy is presented as nonpartisan and legally compliant, the mechanism still facilitates substantial corporate influence over political processes. This raises concerns from an anti-fascist perspective, as corporate money—despite oversight—can distort democratic accountability and enable policies that favor corporate interests over public welfare.

PDF Political contributions policy - GE

General Electric’s ratification of a robust labor contract extension—with a significant 12% wage increase and preservations of key worker benefits—demonstrates a commitment to upholding labor rights, supporting union efforts and enhancing employee protections. This positive development reduces the risk of exploitative labor practices that can contribute to oppressive corporate behavior, aligning with anti-fascist priorities.

IUE-CWA Members at General Electric Ratify National Contract Extension, Securing 12% Pay Raise and Critical Protections Amidst GE Split

General Electric's reported lobbying expenditure of $5,360,000 in 2021 reflects a significant financial effort to influence policy decisions. This expenditure is concerning from an anti-fascist perspective as it suggests the company is using its resources to shape government policy in ways that may undermine democratic processes and facilitate authoritarian practices. The high level of spending is seen as a signal of prioritizing corporate interests over public welfare, contributing to a broader pattern of corporate complicity in authoritarian influences.

General Electric Lobbying Reports • OpenSecrets

The document underscores GE's commitment to labor rights by strictly prohibiting forced labor, child labor, and other forms of exploitation in its supply chain. By embedding these standards into contractual obligations and conducting regular audits, GE supports fair labor practices and human rights, thus reducing its complicity in oppressive practices.

PDF Ethical Supply Chain Program - GE

GE's new tentative labor agreements, which include significant wage increases and better overall benefits, reflect a strong commitment to worker rights and unionization. This positive development in labor relations bolsters the company's position against exploitative practices typically associated with authoritarian governance.

GE Secures Union Support for Labor Agreements, Avoids Strike

By expanding its disclosures to reveal political contributions—including trade association dues and contributions to 501(c)(4) organizations—GE is taking a positive step toward transparency in its political spending. This improved transparency helps expose and reduce hidden flows of 'dark money' that have been used to influence political outcomes in ways that may support authoritarian practices. Such measures are viewed positively from an anti-fascist perspective because they enable public accountability and limit covert financial influence in politics.

GE is Shedding More Light on its Political Donations

The statement provides extensive details on GE's ethical supply chain program, including over 26,500 supplier assessments, strict supplier guidelines, and corrective actions for non-compliance. This proactive approach in addressing risks associated with forced labor and modern slavery in the supply chain reflects high standards in supply chain ethics.

PDF UK Modern Slavery Act Statement