Autoblog

Chrysler workers fired for drinking back on job against automaker's wishes [w/video] [UPDATE]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Videos, Chrysler, UAW/Unions

As much as Chrysler would like to "move on," it seems that the story of employees who drink on the job just refuses to die. The latest? According to Fox 2 News in Detroit, the 13 workers who were fired in 2010 after its cameras caught them drinking alcohol and smoking what looks to be marijuana in a park during work hours have been reinstated following arbitration.

Chrysler released the following statement:

"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."

Clearly, Chrysler isn't pleased with this outcome, and we don't blame them one bit. The automaker declined to comment when Fox asked if the workers received compensation for the two years they were suspended without pay and ultimately fired.

How could an arbitrator possibly side with the fired workers? Much like the automaker itself, we're at a loss for words. A video report from Fox can be seen below.

UPDATE: Chrysler has further responded to this matter by issuing a longer, official statement on its media blog. You can also read the full response below.

Continue reading Chrysler workers fired for drinking back on job against automaker's wishes [w/video] [UPDATE]

Chrysler workers fired for drinking back on job against automaker's wishes [w/video] [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Production resumes at Chrysler plant after murder-suicide

David Kiley — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

Production resumes today at Chrysler's Jefferson North plant in Detroit just one day after a tragedy on the line in which a worker slit the throat of another and then later killed himself.

Police said on Thursday that an ongoing dispute between two employees at the plant resulted in one stabbing the other at 7:50 AM, and then fleeing. He was found later Thursday on Belle Isle, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The names of the men were not confirmed by authorities, but co-workers and neighbors identified the man who killed his co-worker as Jeff Hunt and the slain co-worker as Keith Readus, sources have reported.

The Jefferson North plant produces the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

Read more here on the incident.

Production resumes at Chrysler plant after murder-suicide originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fatal stabbing reported at Chrysler's Jefferson North plant [UPDATE]

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:20:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Safety, Chrysler

According to The Detroit News, one person is dead following a stabbing incident at Chrysler's Jefferson North plant.

Details remain scarce as of this writing, as the stabbing just occurred this morning at the automaker's Detroit, Michigan facility. Jefferson North is where Chrysler produces the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Chrysler officials have not yet comment on the developing matter. Stay tuned to this space for more details as they unfold.

UPDATE 1: According to CBS Detroit, the man suspected of committing the fatal stabbing at the Jefferson North facility has committed suicide on nearby Belle Isle. The plant has reportedly been idled following the attack. According to one worker familiar with the incident, a fight broke out between a line worker and a material handler, and one of the employees' throats was slit. The suspect immediately fled the scene.

UPDATE 2: Chrysler issued an official statement to Automotive News, saying that "Two employees were involved in an altercation inside the plant. One employee was stabbed and unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene. The Detroit Police Department is currently investigating. Production has been suspended for this morning and employees are being released." Click here for the full report.

UPDATE 3: The Detroit Police have confirmed that the suspect has been found dead on Belle Isle in a red Jeep Wrangler with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Fatal stabbing reported at Chrysler's Jefferson North plant [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Robust Grand Cherokee and Durango sales to keep plant open through planned shutdown

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

Jeep Grand Cherokee sales are up 37 percent through April, and Chrysler has already sold nearly 50,000 units in 2012, placing the flagship Jeep model ahead of all other Pentastar vehicles, save for the Ram pickup.

That demand will be keeping the Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit open through the July 4 holiday period, according to The Detroit News. Big Three plants have traditionally shut down for two weeks in July to facilitate model-year changeover, though that process will be accomplished with the lines running this year, according to the report.

Jefferson North is already running overtime including some Saturdays to keep up with demand for both the Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango. Sales of the Dodge model are up seven percent this year.

Robust Grand Cherokee and Durango sales to keep plant open through planned shutdown originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler hiring 1,100 new workers to build diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee

John Neff — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Diesel

Last April, we received word straight from CEO Sergio Marchionne's mouth that Fiat's 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel engine would find its way to America under the hood of a Jeep Grand Cherokee by the end of 2013. That a diesel-powered Grand Cherokee would return to Jeep's lineup was great news for fans of the last version, but workers in the city of Detroit should be even more excited, as Chrysler has just announced it will add a third shift and hire 1,100 new workers at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant to help build it. Jefferson North currently employs 2,890 people and is responsible for production of the Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

Throw another 150 new workers on the pile too for Chrysler's Connor Avenue Assembly Plant, also located within the confines of Detroit proper. Last month Chrysler announced that it would reopen the original home of Viper assembly to build the new snake, and its needs 150 workers to do it. Today's announcement just reaffirms those plans and brings the total number of Chrysler's new Detroit hires this year to 1,250.

Continue reading Chrysler hiring 1,100 new workers to build diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee

Chrysler hiring 1,100 new workers to build diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Chrysler factory workers caught enjoying "the plant" at Jefferson North

Noah Joseph — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler

What is it about working at the Chrysler Jefferson North facility (pictured above) that drives employees to get high? Controversy has bubbled up again in the form of a new report of auto workers at the factory smoking pot during their lunch break.

The last report came in September 2010 when a local Fox News affiliate caught video footage of a group of off-duty Chrysler employees apparently downing a few beers and smoking a joint or two in the company parking lot. This time, Chrysler reportedly busted another three workers - who were evidently not deterred by (or fully cognizant of) the publicity surrounding the previous incident - for partaking in the controlled substance during their downtime.

The automaker reportedly tipped off ~~the man~~ local police to the act on January 24, leading to the workers' arrests. Formal charges have reportedly not yet been filed, however. Two possible outcomes as a result of the arrests? 1. Workers actually wait until they're home to light up next time. 2. Afternoon vending machine revenue at Jefferson North plummets.

[Source: The Detroit News]

More Chrysler factory workers caught enjoying "the plant" at Jefferson North originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Detroit-made Maserati SUV to carry Ferrari power

Noah Joseph — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Jeep, Maserati, Ferrari

Ferrari's high-revving powerplants are the beating heart of any of its road or racing cars, but the Prancing Horse's own aren't the only vehicles to carry Ferrari engines. Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and countless Formula One teams have benefited from Maranello's powertrain expertise. But an SUV made in Detroit? Has the rapidly integrating Fiat-Chrysler empire lost the plot?

The alliance's chief executive Sergio Marchionne has big plans for Jeep that includes building a Maserati version of the new Grand Cherokee right here in the good ol' U-S-of-A, at the Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit. With Jeep underpinnings, though, the lingering question has been whether the Trident-badged model would come across as more Italian in character or more American.

According to reports, Marchionne is adamant that the Maserati SUV will carry an engine designed (if not necessarily built) by Ferrari. The high-riding application may be a first for a Ferrari engine, but if arch-rival Lamborghini could port the Countach's V12 into the LM002, we suppose anything's possible.

[Source: CNN Money via Motor Authority]

Report: Detroit-made Maserati SUV to carry Ferrari power originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: Chrysler fires 13 workers involved in drinking on the job, suspends two

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Chrysler, UAW/Unions

A group of Chrysler employees have been in the news lately, causing a bit of a black eye for the automaker. Originally, a Detroit Fox affiliate snagged video of the UAW members really enjoying their break - by smoking weed and drinking beer. Chrysler reacted to the news swiftly, by identifying and suspending 15 employees who were ID'd in the clip. Now, after taking time to investigate the entire incident, Chrysler has put the hammer down - 13 of the Jefferson North Plant employees have been fired and the other two get an unpaid, one-month "vacation."

It's a shame that this happened, but it's good to see Chrysler respond so quickly. The automaker has issued a brief statement on the matter, which you can read after the jump.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Followup: Chrysler fires 13 workers involved in drinking on the job, suspends two

Followup: Chrysler fires 13 workers involved in drinking on the job, suspends two originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: Chrysler workers caught drinking during lunch suspended without pay

Zach Bowman — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler

Chrysler has announced that all 15 of the employees who were apparently caught drinking and smoking pot during their lunch break by a Fox 2 News Detroit crew have been suspended indefinitely without pay. The workers from the company's Jefferson North Assembly Plant were spotted drinking heavily during their lunch breaks over a ten-day period. Chrysler says that all of the individuals had been identified and relieved of their duty within 36 hours of the company learning of the problem.

The company also says that while the video seems pretty cut-and-dry, it must adhere to its protocol when it comes to removing those workers permanently. Chrysler also stressed that each of its vehicles goes through an extensive quality control system and that it doesn't condone the behavior documented in the news report in any way. Chrysler's Jefferson North plant employs a total 2,500 workers.

To see Chrysler's official response, click past the jump. To read more about the story, head over to Fox 2 Detroit's website.

[Sources: Chrysler, Fox 2 Detroit]

Continue reading Followup: Chrysler workers caught drinking during lunch suspended without pay

Followup: Chrysler workers caught drinking during lunch suspended without pay originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lucky 14: Workers at Dodge Viper plant win Powerball jackpot

Noah Joseph — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:41:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Dodge, Earnings/Financials

Dodge Viper assembly line workers in Detroit - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's not every day that someone actually wins the lottery, but that day has come for nineteen American factory workers. And it's come in a big way as two lottery clubs have claimed multi-million-dollar jackpots in the Powerball and Mega Millions drawings, scoring a jaw-dropping $96.6 million and $36 million respectively.

What does this have to do with cars, you ask? This is an automotive news site, after all, so we'll tell you: the "Lucky 13 Plus One" lottery club that won the nearly $100M Powerball jackpot is comprised of workers at the Chrysler's Jefferson North Assembly plant in Detroit that reports claim builds the Dodge Viper. (The Viper's actually built at Connor Avenue, while Jefferson builds Jeeps, so clearly something's amiss here, but we digress.) The Mega Millions jackpot, meanwhile, will be split between five factory workers in Kalamazoo whose names and employer remain unpublished.

As for the winning Viper crew, might we suggest either buying the rights to the car you build to either ensure its survival or farm them out to Devon Motorworks. Or maybe buying back the Mercedes SLS program and turning it back into the next-gen Viper. Of course, there is a certain group of automotive journalists who'd be happy to help you invest, so be in touch, won't you?

Gallery: Dodge Viper ACR-X Begins Production

[Source: The Detroit News]

Lucky 14: Workers at Dodge Viper plant win Powerball jackpot originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler expanding Detroit plant for car-based Grand Cherokee

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Jeep

Click above for big gallery of the current Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep has a long and illustrious history with the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, and that lineage will continue on, albeit with some modifications to remain relevant to the times. Unlike many of its closest rivals that used a body-on-frame approach (we're looking at you, Explorer), the Grand Cherokee has always been based on a unibody platform. But it looks like future Grand Cherokees will be moving on to a car-based platform rather than its own dedicated one. To retool for this new vehicle program, Chrysler has announced that its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit will be getting a $1.8 billion renovation that should employ 400 new workers -- a boon for the weary Detroit-area economy.

While purists may not like the idea of a car-based Grand Cherokee, we can't imagine that Chrysler would make the mistake of alienating its vast army of die-hard Jeep fans by making its flagship product too road-biased. Remember too that the Grand Cherokee name has always been affixed to a model that's a bit less rough-and-tumble than other more hardcore Jeep models like the Wrangler. Expect to see the next-gen Grand Cherokee sometime in 2010. Thanks for the tip, Roger!

[Sources: Dow Jones Newswire, Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Chrysler expanding Detroit plant for car-based Grand Cherokee originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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