First, I want to say that I am not here to defend the conduct of any of the workers shown. And the only reason I even know about this, is because the Fox affiliate in Phoenix (all the way across the country) thought this was such an important story that they aired it too!
It begins with a recap of a 'sting' this same Fox Detroit "reporter" Rob Wolchek did last year on the same Chrysler plant in Trenton. As I'm watching, I'm thinking...what is the point of doing an expose on workers drinking during their lunch hours? I'm sure this happens at many businesses. Why is this news? Ahh..this is why...
Rob Wolcheck: "Chrysler has been bailed out by billions in taxpayer dollars. In fact, President Obama had just given them a pep talk on the floor of the plant. And this was the thanks we got?"
Video shows reporter chasing after the UAW workers on their lunch break, shown drinking ad smoking (which was assumed to be pot)..
Wolcheck: "You know, the government spent a lot of money bailing you guys out, and you come out on your lunch break drinking like this?"
You have to see to believe.
Chrysler Auto Workers in Trenton Caught Smoking and Drinking During Lunch Breaks: MyFoxDETROIT.com
Seriously? THIS is what we are supposed to be concerned about? The obvious meme of this report is...union workers take taxpayer money and blow it on drugs and alcohol instead of doing their job. See how bad unions are? They are a drain on society! (It did not escape my notice, that this is a local Fox affiliate. Not Fox News, but a Murdoch holding none the less.)
Like I said, I don't think anyone should be showing up to work drunk or high, union or not...but I fail to see why this is news. Even the anchors acknowledge that the story may be portrayed as anti-union, as they defend the report and themselves as being union workers also. (Does being in an actors union really count though?)
I loved Wolchek's final wrap-up: "The tipsters just want help. Why they are calling me, I don't know."
Why indeed.