Chrysler was linked to a recent scandal by some workers from a plant. A local whistleblower report captured some plant workers associated with some questionable actions. A number of Chrysler Motors plant employees were caught consuming and using illegal drugs during their lunch break close to the plant. It begun with an anonymous tip to a local news station. The news station sent in undercover reporters who broke the news. After the men were caught, a scandal started to brew, which Chrysler swore to resolve. All parties involved were placed on suspension immediately. There are 2 of the people involved nevertheless on suspension, when 13 others are dismissed.
Not quite OSHA accepted
A tip was received by Detroit Fox affiliate WJBK 2 concerning the employees from the Jefferson North Chrysler plant, according to USA Today. The plant only handles one vehicle. It is where the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokees are assembled. The station was tipped off that workers from the plant would go to a local park to drink beer and smoke what appeared to be weed. The news crew filmed them repeating the ritual for five consecutive days, until finally the anchor on location asked them as to what they were doing. At that point, the men fled back to the plant. To make matters worse, the investigative report comes days after a visit and stump speech by Obama.
13 fired in this case>
Chrysler could not fire any person at first, so 15 were put on suspension. The rules of the United Auto Workers require workers be suspended and investigated before they can be discharged. Of those 15, as outlined by Automotive News, 13 were fired and 2 are still on suspension. Quality control and build inspection is done by automation, so the quality of the automobiles isn’t affected as outlined by Chrysler. The UAW insists that those which were terminated are not indicative in any way of the quality of the bulk of their members.
No drinking at work
There is no excuse for going to work intoxicated. Not even executives get a “three martini lunch” anymore. Working with industrial equipment demands safety be paramount. Showing up intoxicated compromises that safety. Those people could have gotten somebody killed.
Articles cited
Auto News.com
autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100928/OEM/100929862/1252
USA Today
content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/09/detroit-tv-station-catches-chrysler-workers-drinking-drugging-during-lunch/1?csp=obinsite
