Drunk Co Worker What Do I Do?

[jbsoonerfan]

Depends on the union. Also depends on the local. Geographical region plays a part in it too.

Speaking of unions. Aren't most teachers a part of the teachers union?

Not this guy. I have the option to join one, but choose not to. Most of my coworkers belong to one, but I am not paying a monthly due to a union.

[Basseditor]

I must be living under a rock. I didn't think stuff like this still happens. I thought it went away 30 years ago. Everyplace I've worked for the last 30 years, he would have been put on unpaid leave until rehabbed or, more likely, fired.

[The Rooster]

believe it or not i sat on the toilet for a good 1/2 hr thinking about this very same thing.. I had allot of things going throgh my head today.. Im not saying anyones posts or comments are wrong in any way cause to tell you the truth tghis thred and talking with my fiance helped me to make the rite choice. But untill you have to do this very same thing its hard to understand fully. Anyine can type and say they would do one thing bu actully doing it is another.. Again not saying or comenting to anyone that posted on the thread.. The union family runs deep and its so deep that even his brothers and sisters that work with him directly didnt rat on him. And tehy were the ones that could of got hurt or killed. They all ar efully aware he has a problam its not like i was the only one who new about this.. I was the one beings i am steward felt that i needed to make the choice of blowing the wistle or not.. If you guys can understand that. Its no secret he has a drinking problem... And yes they all come to me for every little thing tha happens and today not one of the 7 people that were working with him and came and told me about the fender dropping it was actaully a out sourced trucker that first told me and then two union brothers from another line..

Agin if you have never worked in a tight union its hard to understand. But just so we are all clear its in the companys hands now and his own. Im just preying that he learned his lesson and doesnt come in monday or ever again after drinking..

I can tell you right now, I know what I'd do. I'd turn him in and not feel the least bit bad about it. Even if he lost his job, that's his fault and his problem. He's how old? Not a child, plenty old enough to know better. I'd do it even if it virtually guaranteed me to lose whatever election was coming up. Further, if the voters voted me down over that then I'd also be glad for that too. I wouldn't want any position where I had to compromise my principles to get it. Every member of that union ought to have this same attitude, agree with you, and uphold you in this decision. Those who make it known that they don't should be set straight immediately. Those who still don't agree get demoted to "step-brothers". Thee end.

[fadetoblack21]

I do not work for a union and have no experience working for a union.

 

With that said, if the guy is a danger to others then he needs to be reported no ifs ands or buts about it. . . 

 

Would your union brothers feel differently about you if they found out you knew after this guy killed someone?!? Brotherhood is one thing, supporting a dangerous environment is another. 

[plumworm]

Not Union bashing. If your idea is to move up in the union, then I think your far better off protecting your "brothers" from a drunk hurting them instead of protecting him from being fired. In my" non union" mind, this is a no brainer. What is so hard for you to understand about protecting your "brothers" from this obvious danger. I still think your more concerned about moving up in the union than your concern about what could happen to your "brothers" If you want, I will go back to your "OP" It says it all. Don't bother e-mailing me again, I have just reread your OP. You are more about your advancement in the union, than your concern about your "brothers" 

[SirSnookalot]

Am I to assume this man is an overhead bridge (rail) crane operator?  When I was in the scrap business I had all sorts of heavy machinery, including cranes.  A crane operator is one of the most important jobs in a plant, both from a standpoint of safety and an intricate part of the flow of a production line.

Management needs to know what's going on, in the end they can be the ones held liable.  Since none of the coworkers stepped forward and you didn't actually witness the event, the question remains was he intoxicated or was it a malfunction with the equipment.  I have witnessed cranes malfunctioning many times, cables snapped, braking system not working properly, human error from both the operator as well people on the ground.

You say you got the news from a truck driver, I've been in literally hundreds of plants, truck drivers usually are not allowed inside a plant, many times not even on the loading dock, only inside their own trailer.  This driver may not have seen what happened.  I'm not taking sides or defending anyone, but you need proof of what really happened.  Based on the track record you have mentioned, we all are assuming the crane operator is guilty and probably is, but you don't know for sure................yet.

Only you can decide what is is the right course of action to take, I personally would report the incident.  If in fact it is equipment failure the company needs to address it, human error needs to be addressed as well.

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

I'm not 100% he was when this incident happened but from working with him in the past he used to be in my section. Everyday he smelled like he had been drinking. The trucker is a fork lift trucker she actually gave him a ride to work yesterday morning and said she had to roll. Her window down it was so bad.. We outsource allot of fork truck jobs that's a whole bother subject. Thats one of the main reasons I had such a hard time saying something wasn't totally sure he had been drinking. Just heard that he smelled of alcohol.. He was just moved to this section 2 weeks ago before that I worked with him every day.. And witnessed the two close calls he had. And K ow for a fact he had been atleast up late. Thise times no one else was involved once he fell off the platform. He was on. The other time he dropped a part he was putting on and it about crushed his foot. These were re recorded as near misses.. It's really kinda confusing. I didn't really explain very well in my OP.. But the bottom line is I know he does drink allot and comes smelling of liquor almost daily. So I thought I needed to let someone know. After reading over OP again I feel as though people assumed I was sure he was drinking on job. Which is not the case... Regardless it's done and they will be watching him closely.. It was on my part more of letting someone know before someone got hurt. .

[RAMBLER]

I, absolutely, do not understand all of this.  If this big piece of something fell, why was there not an accident report made?  If that had been done, there would not have to be any anonymous phone calls or e-mails.  I have limited experience with unions, but, aren't they suppose to be concerned with worker safety?  Is this guy a safety hazard or not? 

[gripnrip]

Am I the only one thinking as to why hasn't non union management picked up on his smelling of booze everyday?  

 

I work for a large company that is unionized.  Although Oklahoma is now a right to work state, my company requires you to be a member of the union to be employed.  It may be they do business and have employees in practically every state.  Anyways. The proper course I would take is the one you have chosen.  I wouldn't feel bad about it either.  I would turn him in myself whether anyone knew it was me or not.  IMO he is reckless and doesn't give a d**n about anyone.  

[kcdinkerz]

I'm also in a union and I know where your coming from. The last Step is taking it to management. Sit down and have a talk with this guy if nothing changes, bring it up with your union president and let them take care of it

[flyfisher]

Depends on the union. Also depends on the local. Geographical region plays a part in it too.

Speaking of unions. Aren't most teachers a part of the teachers union?

depends on the state  some states require it others you have the option

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

Yes there was a report and they are doing a safety walk Monday morning.. They They sent the whole line rite after it happened if you had personal time to use you could and got got the heck out of there cause he had Y time.. You have to understand we don't see management that often I see my boss 2 tomes a day morning meeting and at lunch. This said employees just avoids the boss. Trust me if he didn't the boss would smell it. This place is so big the building is over a 1/2 mile long and around 1200people on first shift. It is very busy we are probably the most efficient line in the building we don't get messed with cause we get are **** done and it's done rite so they leave the line alone they have other **** **** to worry about then babysitter grown adults.. Hence why I new I had to say something he is gonna continue to do doth is chances are will never get caught.. Unless there is a injury then no drug test g is done.. Hell He'll the company you just implemented random drug test 2 years ago. We could smoke at are work stations I tell IL changed there smoking law.

[jbsoonerfan]

You don't have to do a lot of writing at work do you?

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

Fishing Fishing in a tournament today. Don't take the time to proof read any of my posts. And this d**n autocorrect is a pain the ass.

But to answer your question no I'm paid to run a Mazak. . Lol write what's that? that's for desk jockeys..

[tipptruck1]

But to answer your question no I'm paid to run a Mazak. . Lol write what's that? that's for desk jockeys..

We can write so machines can understand us. Lets get that right. As we usually only talk to machines. So we do not talk to people munch, and what people we do talk to. Are usually fellow machinists. The typical conversation is usually a bunch of grunts.

[scrutch]

I am a card carrying union member. Something must be done here. The steward's job is to bring this to the attention of the union leadership (president, vice pres, etc) and bring the guy in to talk to him. The union not only has a responsibility to the drunk to het him help, but they also have a responsibility to his co-workers to provide a safe workplace. Are YOU going to be the one to go to his dead co-worker's house to inform his wife and kids that their husband and father isn't coming home anymore?

The union's product is not what the factory produces, the union's product is it's workforce. Protecting drunkards and slugs only makes it more difficult at the negotiating table during contract time! Get the union to get this guy some help, or get rid of him.

SAFETY IS JOB ONE. Safety is being compromised here.

Do something.

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

We can write so machines can understand us. Lets get that right. As we usually only talk to machines. So we do not talk to people munch, and what people we do talk to. Are usually fellow machinists. The typical conversation is usually a bunch of grunts.

LOL we write in code.. and dont talk "munch"

[Raider Nation Fisher]

We can write so machines can understand us. Lets get that right. As we usually only talk to machines. So we do not talk to people munch, and what people we do talk to. Are usually fellow machinists. The typical conversation is usually a bunch of grunts.

Sounds like communicating with ironworkers. Use a series of grunts and squeals. They seem to understand what you are saying.

[Lund Explorer]

Sadly, the second biggest problem with this whole story is that the upper level of this union has really dropped the ball in training it's worker level representatives.

 

This isn't a slam against the OP, but it looks like he could use a week of leadership training!

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

Sounds like communicating with ironworkers. Use a series of grunts and squeals. They seem to understand what you are saying.

That's funny shizzy rite there. Next thing you know KVD will be marketing Hydrowaves towards machinest and Ironworks..

[ShimanoDobynsGuy]

Sadly, the second biggest problem with this whole story is that the upper level of this union has really dropped the ball in training it's worker level representatives.

This isn't a slam against the OP, but it looks like he could use a week of leadership training!

It's not that we are not trained. It's that unless this employee asks for help there is nothing that can be done.. We can not force him to say he has a problem.. If he would just go to medical and say I have a problem then the union can help. Plus the company will play for his help in full. But if you wait and get caught it's to late.. I have tried to get this person to go and ask for help but he just won't do it.. Sadly enough if you test dirty for heroin, cocaine, Marijuana, and drug you get 30days off without pay and have to do rehab.. 1st offense. 2nd offense is 60 days off inpatient rehab.. 3rd offense indefinitely suspension.. That is for union guys. Company and outsource workers test positive you are fired and and banned from ever facility plant world wide.. As far as alcohol goes it's 0 tolerance for both parties but the company has been known to take into consideration the employees background and work ethic and bent the rules more like if they like you.. You might get a chance.. This guy is the last guy to be converted full time in the facility since 2012. So he will be thrown to the wolf's. Plus he just caused 100,000 in damages. But to a company that makes billions that's like penny's.. Now over Easter break one of the lines was left on by 2nd shift on Thursday night and not found till Monday morning and caused 2 million in damages.. Now some people got walked out for that.. No alcohol or drugs involved just stupidity. But the union has already got there jobs back for them.. Point is you can't get caught and then cry wolf cause it's to late.. Just man up and ask for help and you shall receive it. Don't ask and roll the dice and see if you get caught..

[BamaBassChaser]

If you've tried to get him to ask for help and he has refused then that's on him. This man IS going to get someone killed and needs to be fired if he isn't willing to accept help. Would you be able to look a child in the eyes and tell them that their mother or father is not ever coming home because you didn't want to be a snitch? Do the right thing and get that guy out of there.

[Helluva_Engineer]

...he just caused 100,000 in damages. But to a company that makes billions that's like penny's.. Now over Easter break one of the lines was left on by 2nd shift on Thursday night and not found till Monday morning and caused 2 million in damages.. Now some people got walked out for that.. No alcohol or drugs involved just stupidity. But the union has already got there jobs back for them...

 

It's like you're trying to make the union look bad.

[ClackerBuzz]

i think you said you have a fiancee.  turn her into a wife, add two children a big mortgage payment, two car payments etc and your decisions become more clear.  "it's him or me" sounds selfish but it's not when someone else's irresponsibility can jeopardize everything you've worked so hard for in your life. your career, house...the possibility of your children being raised without a father. let alone all the other men on the job and their families.  it all becomes more important than being 'liked' at work or being promoted/voted up. that might be the leadership Lund was getting at.  not defaulting to the company handbook that someone has to volunteer their alcohol problem but rather you documenting he has alcohol on his breath.

and let me just say that i can truly empathizes with you. i hate chess, politics and long drawn out strategy. i'm a knee jerk reaction guy.  i shoot from the hip and follow my gut.  i hated working in a corporation b/c 50% of my time/energy was spent trying to protect my job. just let me freaking do my work and go home..and pay me for it. i quit after 1.5 yrs bc it was pain and drama 24/7.

decisions like this get much easier as you gain experience and maturity. the first time round is the hard part.  as far as the future goes...there is probably a better chance of you getting stuck by lightening than of this guy laying off the booze. he will keep coming to work drunk..until he is finally fired...by your hands or someone else's.

this is only round 1 of you getting involved so start figuring out how you are going to respond to round 2. it may be more anonymous emails, phone calls, higher in the chain of command etc but just know that it's coming. he will keep drinking...a leopard can't change his spots.  sooner or later you're going to have to get your hands dirty. 

 

you should feel 100% safe in getting this guy fired.  you will NOT have a target on your back.  if the crew/work ethic won't stand up to an alcoholic they definitely don't have the coconuts to confront a leader.

[A-Jay]

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. –Albert Einstein

 

A-Jay