Auto Plant Forces Workers Who Own Fords, GMs To Walk
Non-Chrysler Vehicles Will Be Towed

POSTED: 8:22 am EDT May 9, 2005

KOKOMO, Ind. -- Workers at DaimlerChrysler's Indiana Transmission Plants I and II better allow more time for parking if they drive Fords or General Motors vehicles.

A new policy that took effect Monday designates about 80 percent of employee parking spaces at the plants for Chrysler vehicles only.

It forces workers to park much farther away if they drive a car or truck made by a competing manufacturer.

Workers have been told that non-Chrysler vehicles parked in the reserved areas will be towed to Indianapolis at a cost of $200.

A Chrysler spokesman said most Chrysler plants across the country have similar parking policies.

But nine-year employee Bill Parks, who drives a Pontiac, considers it harassment. He said he's being punished for exercising his freedom of choice.


Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press.

redriderbob

 

good for them.

 

That's ridiculous. What ever happened to our rights?



-Matt-

 

That's pretty retarded. What they are trying to do is make everyone who comes to the plant think that everyone there thinks Chryslers are the best cars out there and they all own them. We had the same thing when I was in HS and worked at a restaraunt, they wouldn't let us bring back lunch from say burgerking or McD's because they didn't want customers seeing us and going "look, they won't even eat their own food, it must be aweful". That's all retarded. If someone wants something, they'll get it.

 

my dad has always said anyone who doesn't have a Chrysler better park in the back of the parking lot, i guess now they are making it a rule.

 

i think it makes perfect sense..when you drive any vehicle, you are literally a rolling endorsement for that car...it wouldnt be like getting McDs when you work someplace else...it would be like setting a McDs bag on the counter!

 

True, but i'm curious as to why someone who owns a chevy would want to work at the "enemy's" plant, ya know? I just think that just because someone at the company doesn't own their product doesn't mean someone else should stay away from it cause they see the workers not "supporting" the product. It could come down to someone just not liking the styling on a car.

 

THIS IS AN ACT OF KINDNESS!!

See, these other vehicles are USED TO BEING TOWED. The operators of the plant are obviously tired of the line of tow trucks showing up at the end of the shift that they are simply starting the process earlier in the day. The workers should thank them for their kindness!

 

You would think that this wouldn't have to be enforced. Sounds like common sense not to bite the hand that feeds you. Some say that they bought a non-chrysler car used but there's still no reason they couldn't have bought a used chrysler. I'm so sick of these co-workers pulling in these big bucks and having this bad attitude about screwing the company so they go out and buy a compeditors vehicle instead. I say quit if you don't like it. If everybody had this mentality none of us would have a job. Dollar wise, the price of a new car doesn't compare to the Mcdonalds vs. Burger King comment I read. This brings me to another question I don't understand. Why do so many older Gen. people who were involved in World Wars or Korea, drive these foriegn cars. It's like they don't care about loyalty just like these guy's at the factory driving other makes. To each his own, it's just a shame because were losing manufacturing jobs.

 

We've already had this discussion more than enough times but, once again, I want to buy American. I try to buy American. It's just that I can't always buy American. Why? Because what once were "American" companies are now international conglomerates. When I bought my Dodge SRT-10, a big chunk of change went to Germany and Mexico. When I bought my Chrysler 300C a big chunk of change went to Germany and Canada. Conversely, when I bought my "imported" WRX a big chunk of change went to GM. Go figure. Don't complain to the consumers. Complain to the corporate clowns who run your company. They're the ones who have gone offshore, blurred the lines and created these international megamonster companies.

It's Chrysler's plant. I say let them run it as they see fit. It has nothing to do with "rights." It has everything to do with the freedom to run your business as you see fit.

BTW, I like RedRam's towing comment.