Speakeasy forum: BP Plc gets away with a $4.5 Billion fine. It ain't enough.

I don't know how bad the auto plants were, or are now.I remember some of the news stories of workers drinking during lunch in the past. I suspect now is a lot different than 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago.

I work under a union contract, but they're pretty serious about alcohol and drugs. We, like most employees now, have to take random drug test. Our alcohol level for dismissal is .04%. Now I know some would say any level is too much, trigger levels are debatabe. Note that can result in immediate dismissal. I do know it's not automatic, but at least it's suspension until rehab is certified successfully completed. It has resulted in suspension and review then dismissal, particularly if repeated.

Any injury requiring more than first aid, that is a doctor visit, also requires drug/alcohol testing. Any accident with mobile stock (fork lifts, bulldozers, trucks) triggers drug/alcohol testing. There is a level of seriousness there, I'm not sure exactly what it is. Bumping a post etc may not require testing. Serious property damage does, as does any personnel injury no matter how slight.

Any positive test results for alcohol, narcotic class, or amphetamine class of drugs results in a retest and suspension. We do get a rehab chance. Even if you have a prescription with you when you take the test, you have to stay home until further test prove the positive results is for the exact drug you're prescription is. We do get paid regular pay missed when the test proves it's for the drug prescribed by your doctor.

Of course, there are some prescription drugs at some levels that you still can't work due to impairment until you get off the drug. That is generally based on the doctors fitness to work report you have to bring to the company anytime you've been out of work for more than 4 days due to illness. Depending on why you were out, after your doctor releases you for work, you may have to see the company doctor, and perhaps also take a physical fitness test by a physical therapist.

but the particular undercover news coverage was several years ago.

The line workers were going out at lunch and having several beers with lunch. They did't show anyone staggeringly drunk, but the appearance was definately bad.

But with the last few years of struggling in the industry, I wonder if companies haven't tightened up on things like that, without much fight from unions because it would be obviously wrong to insist on allowing workers to drink during a work shift.

Only bosses are allowed alcohol with working lunches.