The United Auto Workers (UAW) union will seek to address the ongoing opioid crisis as part of the contract negotiations it is set to enter later this year with the Detroit Big Three.
According to Automotive News, the UAW wants an expansion of employer-funded programs for preventing dependance on prescription painkillers and wants to ensure workers can seek help for their addiction without the fear of retribution from their employer.
In a statement made to Automotive News, General Motors said it “recognizes this is an issue that impacts communities and families nationwide” and added that it is “dedicated to ensuring a culture of safety, both at home and in the workplace.”
In 2017, GM began to curb the amount of opioid painkillers employees can receive after simple surgeries through its employee pharmacy program. The automaker said it also promotes safe usage and disposal of prescribed painkillers through annual employee seminars and internal media.
Ford and FCA said that they have implemented similar measures as GM to try and curb opioid abuse among its employees.
Those who perform repetitive manual labor tasks, such as assembly technicians at automotive plants, may be at risk for injury and are therefore more likely to be prescribed painkillers after a surgery or medical procedure. The UAW also wants to address the crisis for those employees with family or friends affected by addiction.
UAW vice president Rory Gamble told Automotive News the union is keen to address the situation. He lost his granddaughter to an opioid overdose earlier this year.
“The issue demands that we get involved, and it demands that we set an example of combating it in a positive way — the union and the company,” Gamble told the publication. “We have to grab this thing and address it now.”
The UAW contract with the Big Three will expire on September 14, 2019. It is believed that GM will look to implement more temporary and contract workers going forward, which would help it to trim its employee health care costs.
Source: Automotive News
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Comments
This is a major issue and it needs addressed on several levels by several groups.
They need to address the workers with testing. Offer help and rehab but if the matter is not corrected they need to be able to remove these people if the refuse treatment or complete cleaning up. You just can’t keep holding their hand if they don’t want to clean up.
The other issue is doctors need to stop handing the hard core stuff out like candy. There are less addictive options that often go ignored. That would fix most of it right away.
So employees who are not weak minded druggies will have to put up with mental weaklings on the job who have no impulse control.
Millions of Americans take pain meds as needed without any problems at all. The UAW should be dealing with the temp employee issues, instead of throwing a lifeline to pill popping losers who CHOSE to be addicted.