Chrysler Forced to Take Back 13 Union Workers Caught Drinking, Seemingly Getting High During Lunch

Remember back in 2010 when 13 Chrysler auto workers got busted drinking and smoking what appeared to be marijuana on the job? Sure you do, it was all over the news.

Unsurprisingly, once news of their “extracurricular” activities made headlines, they were promptly fired by the embarrassed automaker for violating company policy.

But here’s something new: Chrysler has been forced to reinstate all 13 of the disgraced employees. As it turns out, the 13 kicked back against the company's decision and filed a grievance and entered arbitration.

Amazingly enough, the arbitrator decided to give them their jobs back. No, seriously, the arbiter sided with the 13 fired employees and Chrysler has been forced to reinstate them.

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If the arbiter’s decision has got you hot under the collar, know that you’re not alone. Chrysler doesn’t seem very happy with the decision either.

The following is a public statement issued by the company [via My Fox Detroit]:

Chrysler Group LLC acknowledges the reinstatement of a number of employees from the Jefferson North assembly plant who were discharged from the company in September 2010 after appearing in a local TV station's story about their off-duty conduct.

While the company does not agree with the ultimate decision of the arbitrator, we respect the grievance procedure process as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement and our relationship with the UAW. Unfortunately, the company was put in a very difficult position because of the way the story was investigated and ultimately revealed to the public. These employees from Jefferson North have been off work for more than two years. The time has come to put this situation behind us and resume our focus on building quality products that will firmly establish Chrysler Group's position in the marketplace.

Were Chrysler representatives forced to deliver that statement aloud, we can’t help but think that it would have been done entirely through gritted teeth.

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Featured image courtesy My Fox Detroit.