Insight from my brother on his experience as Union Steward......

[mrmpa]

brother was over yesterday and told me one of his coworkers was fired for coming to work drunk. I asked the usual questions..

Has he done this before? Answer no.
Has he been in disciplinary trouble of any kind before? Answer no.
What has the company done to employees in the past who came to work drunk? Answer, they've been sent to rehab.
is there a new person in HR, or new boss who handled this action. Answer no, same guy all the time.

My brother works at a large beer distribution warehouse. He said, "this is pretty bad to do this to a guy, when the business is in the business of selling a highly addictive substance". They even get an employee discount on the product.

[libodem]

1. There should be a treatment

Or termination option. Poor fuck.

[elleng]

2. Bad story,

dopey.

fyi, the substance is not addictive (nicotine is.) Alcoholism is a genetically inherited disease, one either is or isn't alcoholic.

[mokawanis]

3. Being a steward is a tough job

I was a union officer and steward for over 5 years. The toughest cases were the ones where people were being disciplined for coming to work drunk and the cases where people got in physical fights at work.

When alcohol was a factor I always asked the employer to give the worker another chance and allow them to use treatment and employee assistance programs. Sometimes they went for my offer, but most of the times they just fired the workers and then we lost the cases in the grievance process.

[mrmpa]

4. They should win this case............

due to past practice. Unfortunately it will cost the company & union time & money.

[Hangingon]

5. What was his job?