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“State of the Unions” author Phil Dine on Chrysler workers who were fired for drinking and smoking on the job returning to work through an arbitra...
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So TV attorney here -- this is pretty crazy I gotta tell you look at this video.
These -- the Chrysler employees that were caught red handed drinking and smoking something.
On the job in 201013.
Of them were fired two were suspended without pay.
Well now they are all back at work building your cards.
Thanks to union back arbitrator.
-- -- you know Chrysler borrowed more than eleven billion dollars as part of the auto industry bailout that's what your tax dollars are spent time.
How is it possible of these guys are back on the job joining me now is still -- costs.
State of the union -- thanks so much for coming back time I mean let's get right to it how is it possible.
Well -- good to -- really Melissa.
You know who knows this is likely that first of all this is not a union -- arbitrator what this is is a union.
And a company backed arbitration process.
The contract calls for certain process just like our legal system called for jury trial we may or may not like the outcome in any one.
Trial or anyone grievance process -- neither you nor I heard the evidence.
Well I mean at -- I saw the reporter and read the report that he who's been covering this story and he says that.
You know they went into arbitration and it had a lot to do with it you really drill down on the statements it had -- -- long holidays.
And now my goodness we are just the gremlins -- in the system tonight -- can you hear me.
Now -- can okay.
So it could fill -- you know he was saying that if you drill down and you try and read through the statements that were put out by Chrysler especially.
It sounds like there were union rules that they violated.
When they fired these employees and I just wonder does it make sense to have people who are drinking on their lunch hour.
Operating heavy machinery seems like it's -- -- is a danger to them.
And I don't want -- building my car.
Well look I understand you may or may not like the outcome -- -- one trial and and in -- one situation we don't want people who were found.
Innocent or not guilty in the legal system.
But we know on a technicality walking the streets but what is the alternative I mean -- we have an orderly process or we don't.
But still.
They feel like by virtue of being part of a union.
They were allowed to go back to work whether that's fair or not I understand you're saying that that's that's not fair that may -- Chrysler did violate these rules but they're saying you know.
To -- outside.
This gives unions a black -- what do you think -- Well let me give you -- try to give you a fair and balanced.
Fox perspective on the I think I think it -- yes we like it's all very I think I think it's -- -- question on the one hand.
I think unions often do tend to.
Go too far to defend those who shouldn't necessarily be defended for example the baseball players union I think it was absurd of them.
To go to those lengths to protect -- to prevent drug testing and to fight management that seemed like their biggest goal was to fight management.
Not to keep the sport clean and who suffered.
All the honest members of the union -- may -- other baseball players and the fans and the game so I agree with the unions can sometimes go too far.
Did they in this case I don't know that that's that case because they didn't hear the evidence but let me the other part of this answer is that a lot of big companies.
Car companies.
Anheuser-Busch which is wall to wall Teamsters in the UK brewer in the world.
That I had I had begins its a bad ad for Chrysler because people see this -- wanna buy crisis because they say these -- the guys putting my card to get arms scared that you know the tires gonna fall off when I'm going down the street.
I wish we had more time let's come back -- -- to get your great guest though I appreciate having you on.
My pleasure.
