Chrysler suspends workers caught drinking on TV (BLOG)

DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler Group LLC said Tuesday it has suspended nine workers without pay after a Detroit television station aired footage of them allegedly drinking and smoking marijuana before their shifts at an area plant.

WJBK-TV aired the story about the workers at the Trenton Engine Plant last week. The station said it was tipped off by other workers at the plant. The plant employs around 500 people who make V-6 engines for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Grand Caravan and other vehicles.

Chrysler said it identified the workers using the station's video. All nine have been suspended without pay while the company investigates and determines what action should be taken.

This is the second time in a year that the station has reported on Chrysler workers drinking and smoking before a shift. Last fall, the company fired two workers and gave two others unpaid, one-month layoffs after the station took video of them drinking beer before the start of their shift at aDetroit assembly plant.