Salute to
and its workers
The toughest jobs in Chrysler
From lifting engine blocks to getting dirty, these workers earn their paychecks
by Patrick Munsey
staff writer
pmunsey@kokomoperspective.com
Some people hold the
opinion that Chrysler
workers don’t earn their
money. Tired, old stereo-
types persist that the em-
ployees sit around and put
screws into holes for eight
hours a day or sit around
and play cards, waiting for
something to break.
Things like that haven’t
happened in decades, and
they weren’t close to com-
mon even then. Today’s
Chrysler worker has much
more responsibility. He or
she is asked to accomplish
much more than ever, and
working at maximum
speed doesn’t always mean
the quota will be reached
in a given day.
These jobs are difficult.
They’re dirty. And the
plant floor can be painfully
loud, dangerously slick,
and chokingly acrid. The
World Class Manufacturing
program seeks to address
these conditions, but there
always will be risk.
Then there are the tough
jobs. Hours of monstrously
heavy lifting. Repetitive
motions that can drive
people into the ground. No
normal person would want
to do them for $25 an hour,
let alone the $15 an hour
wage that prevails today.
Skeptical? Still want to
cling to the stereotype?
Let’s take a look at four of
ON THE MOVE — Tony Cassity has to keep his eye on
multiple things.
Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman
Feb. 23, 2011 E1
the toughest jobs at
Chrysler.
The Dirty 30
Jennifer Duke has been
with Chrysler for 13 years.
Her current job is to clean
parts for transmissions in
an area called “The Dirty
30.” The job comes by its
name honestly. Each day,
she handles thousands of
parts, clearing debris,
overflow and assorted dirt
from each one. Needless to
say, she doesn’t wear her
Sunday best to the office.
“I load the parts in the
chucks, and I have to spray
them off before I ship them
down the conveyor,” said
Duke. “If I don’t clean all
the chips off, it’ll wreck
the next operation. There
is so much stuff in the
parts to clean off.”
Duke has been at the job
for two months, recently
having purchased it with
her seniority. Despite
working as fast as she can,
she isn’t hitting the quotas
yet.
“I’ll get there, probably,”
said Duke. “Right now, I’m
at about 1,400 a day, but
the rate is 2,000. There are
three chucks in two ma-
chines, and I have two
hands. I’ve got to pick up
HARSH WORK — Ellis Brewer wears a mask while inspecting casings.
my speed for the third Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman
chuck. I get my exercise.”
Duke feels like people
who don’t work at “I think they don’t un-
Chrysler don’t realize what derstand the work we do,
her job entails. She doesn’t and they don’t understand
stand in an assembly line. how much we make,” said
Duke. “They think we’re
overpaid. If we don’t make
the money, we can’t afford
to buy our own products.
We haven’t got a raise.
They took money away
from us in the bankruptcy.
We don’t have a cost of liv-
ing allowance. We’re work-
ing for our basic rate. It’s
getting to the point that we
won’t be able to buy the
products, let alone the
guys being hired in off the
street for $15 an hour.
When the bankruptcy went
down, they said we make
$75 an hour. We don’t. We
make $28.13 an hour, 40
hours a week.”
The Grinder
Meshell Wallen also has
been with Chrysler for 13
years. She works the
grinder on the 704 valve
body line.
“I grind the parts that
come down from the lead- DIRTY 30 — Jennifer Duke does one of the dirtiest and most difficult jobs at the
Kokomo Transmission Plant.
HARD–E2 Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman
Kokomo Perspective
E2
New employees learn what it’s like to be the rookies
Some new hires keep other jobs, not knowing what the future may hold
by Peter Adelsen
staff writer
padelsen@kokomoperspective.com
All the changes within
Chrysler Group LLC since
its restructuring have af-
fected its workforce.
A time ago, there was
uncertainty about whether
there would be any major
hiring by the automobile-
maker.
Today, Chrysler is be-
ginning to make a come
back and is hiring, but
HARD
continued from page E1
off, and then I wash them
off and send them to be an-
odized,” said Wallen. “On a
good day, I handle be-
tween 750-800 parts.
“This is the hardest job
on the line because you
handle the parts so many
times. I’ll handle a part six
times by the time I’m done
with it.”
The part isn’t small. It
weighs about 3 pounds.
That’s 18 pounds lifted for
each part; more than
14,000 pounds a day. There
aren’t a whole lot of
women or men who would
think that moving seven
tons of aluminum around
every day was a simple
task. But Wallen didn’t re-
ally have a choice. Her pre-
vious job in the Kokomo
Transmission Plant was on
the chopping block.
Like Duke, she disagrees
when people say Chrysler
workers don’t earn their
keep.
“Some may say that, but
I come to work everyday,”
said Wallen. “I have perfect
attendance for the past
three years. I work when-
ever they ask me to unless
I’m too darn tired to stand
Feb. 23, 2011
these new employees are
also facing what to expect
when you’re new to the
company.
One such person is Lisa
Rasmussen, who began
working on second shift at
Indiana Transmission
Plant II in August. She also
did not give up on her job
working at Kohl’s depart-
ment store.
“At first I did work dur-
ing the week at both Kohl’s
and Chrysler,” she said.
“But, that was too much.”
A GRIND — Meshell Wallen is always busy at her posi-
tion at KTP.
up.”
The Body Builder
Tony Cassity doesn’t
Salute to Chrysler 2011
She originally kept both
jobs to make a little more
money since the wages at
Chrysler are down from
where they were before
the automobile crisis. She
later began working at
Kohl’s every other week-
end.
When she was hired at
Chrysler, she said the job
was what she expected.
“You work as a team
with other people, and you
communicate with others,”
she said.
Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman
stand still. He has been
with Chrysler for 15 years,
and he has worked in valve
As a newly employed
worker, she, along with
many other employees,
were laid off on Feb. 4,
which comes with the ter-
ritory. She said she was
glad that she kept her job
at Kohl’s when she and
other employees had the
idea that a layoff was
looming in the future.
“A lot of people who got
hired in, quit their other
job,” she said.
She said she hopes to
get the call back to
body assembly ever since
the department opened in
2005. The job involves
moving parts between four
different machines along a
40-foot aisle, handling each
part five times.
“Basically, I build valve
bodies,” said Cassity. “It’s
all assembly. To be honest,
it can be pretty hard, pretty
demanding. I load and un-
load valve bodies and test
them. I do 800-900 a day.
And I don’t stand in one
place. I’m always moving
back and forth.”
The work space is nar-
row, but it is well-lit. The
grated floor shines with
water and lubricant. Cas-
sity doesn’t misstep, does-
n’t slip. And when one cart
of valve bodies is emptied,
he grabs another and starts
again.
This is one job that has
hidden inconveniences
which make it one of the
toughest in the plant. He
knows that some people
think he doesn’t work hard.
They’ve never seen him in
action.
“I’ve heard that, but it’s
not true,” said Cassity. “I
make good money. I’m glad
I have a good job. Most of
the people who work here
are happy to have a good
job. They like working for
Chrysler. We’re not treated
“
You work as team with
other people, and you
communicate with others.
— Lisa Rasmussen
Chrysler when the layoff is
over.
“There are some really
good people at Chrysler,”
bad, but we do work hard.
Just look around. I’ve
worked in factories all my
life. This one is harder. We
stand on our feet all day.
We only get a 10-minute
break. If you have to use
the bathroom really bad,
you still have to wait for
someone to come relieve
you. You just hold it. We
put up with things you
wouldn’t realize because
it’s just the nature of the
job. It’s hazardous at times.
We earn our money. If I
was making $10 an hour,
I’d find another job.”
The Inspector
Ellis Brewer isn’t a small
man. He’s definitely not
someone you’d want to
arm wrestle. He has
worked at Chrysler for the
past 16 years, and for the
past five years, he has been
a quality inspector.
“We check for leaks, for
any default, for anything
that doesn’t look right, that
wasn’t cut out right, that
isn’t proper,” said Brewer.
“We look for anything out
of the ordinary.”
That doesn’t sound diffi-
cult at all. How hard could
it be to look at transmis-
sions all day? But wait.
How about that plume of
chemical mist that shot
into the air? Did he just
”
she said. “Some people
can be a little chatty, but
that’s anywhere.”
have to move that thing by
hand?
“The job is very hard,”
said Brewer. “It’s a lot of
lifting. You can see me with
a breathing mask on. It can
get toxic at times. And it’s
speedy. You’re lifting, and
thinking and using your
speed. It can get challeng-
ing.”
Brewer and his co-work-
ers are asked to inspect
800 transmissions a day.
Right now, they are able to
do between 600-700. And
every one of them has to be
lifted and moved. At 30
pounds each, that’s 21,000
pounds moved each day.
“You can’t be weak and
come over here to work,”
said Brewer.
Like his co-workers,
Brewer has heard people
complain that Chrysler
workers have it easy. He’s
willing to show them oth-
erwise.
“Now I know how NFL
players feel,” said Brewer.
“It’s easy to be a spectator.
Until you get into the game
and know what’s going on,
words are cheap. To the
people who think we don’t
do nothing, come on out
here and let’s trade posi-
tions for a couple hours. I
doubt they make it.”

Local 685 chief big on new products
Boruff wowed by new Charger and Chrysler
200; combustion is the way to go
by Patrick Munsey
staff writer
pmunsey@kokomoperspective.com
Chrysler made a big
splash during the Super
Bowl this year with its com-
mercial for the new
Chrysler 200. The ad was
the most searched among
all commercials aired dur-
ing the event. That splash
became a wave at high tide
just two weeks ago at the
Chicago Auto Show when
the new Dodge Charger was
debuted.
The new line-up of vehi-
cles from Chrysler has peo-
ple talking, and United Auto
Workers Local 685 president
Richie Boruff is one of
them. Good stuff is on the
way.
“(Chrysler and Fiat CEO)
Sergio (Marchionne) took a
beating last year because
there wasn’t a lot of product
out there,” said Boruff. “He
has made touches to every-
thing in our line-up this year,
whether it’s sheet metal
changes or interior changes
or quality improvements.
“Everything was on dis-
play this year at the Detroit
NEW LOOK — The new Chrysler 200 has impressed
consumers so far.
Feb. 23, 2011 Kokomo Perspective
Salute to Chrysler 2011 E3
Auto Show. You can see the
changes. They changed the
front end of the Journey,
made it stronger, bolder.
They changed the rear end
and the design of the mini-
vans. And the 200 and the
Charger, featured at the
Chicago Auto Show, are
going to knock your socks
off.”
The latter vehicles, in par-
ticular, have Boruff turning
his head. He raved about the
changes in the side and
hood moldings, and front
and rear end changes to the
Charger. He is excited to see
how the six-cylinder Pentas-
tar aluminum engine —
made in Kokomo — per-
forms in the vehicle as com-
pared to the larger
eight-cylinder Hemi.
The Chrysler 200 sparks
equal interest. In fact,
Boruff believes it is the
sedan the company has
needed as a successor to the
WHAT WE DO — This new Charger on the floor at ITP II provides employees with a visual representation of what
Sebring. It also comple-
they are doing and working for.
ments the 300 series luxury Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman
sedan. The 300, with its re-
cent face-lift, is poised to
lead the American luxury impact as it did when it first could happen here. The
market, he said. came to market,” said price it enters the market at
“It may have as a big an Boruff. “It will give the will be something that peo-
Cadillac a run.” ple will look at, especially
The Local 685 boss isn’t a when they’re looking for gas
fan of every product in the mileage. It gets more than
Chrysler line-up. It isn’t be- 40 miles to the gallon.”
cause he thinks the vehicles Fuel efficiency is the way
aren’t good. It’s a home- to go, according to Mar-
team thing. chionne. Boruff explained
“The Jeep Compass isn’t
that the Chrysler philosophy
my favorite, since we don’t
still will center around the
provide the transmissions
combustion engine, rather
for it, but they took it and
than electric vehicles like
made it competitive with
the Honda CRV,” said the Chevrolet Volt. Between
Boruff. “They gave it the the Pentastar and the new
Grand Cherokee front end rear- and front-wheel drive
and made serious quality transmissions coming to
improvements. It’s good.” Kokomo operations, Boruff
Boruff also thinks con- concurs with the boss.
sumers in the U.S. will be “We’re not going the di-
pleased by the arrival of the rection of General Motors
Fiat 500 — the first Fiat to where you take a $20,000
be marketed in North Amer- car, make it electric and
ica since 1984. Though driv- charge $40,000 for it,” said
ers here may not be familiar Boruff. “You’ll never capture
with Fiat products, the 500 the market. The way to go is
is the best-selling vehicle in combustion. And our new
Europe. transmissions improve fuel
“I had no idea Fiat had efficiency 10-15 percent.”
dominance of market like
they do,” said Boruff. “Fiat
Perspective photo / provided is everywhere over there. It
Kokomo Perspective Feb. 23, 2011

E4 Salute to Chrysler 2011

ITP2 workers use teamwork to succeed

Steven Archer works in Department 6900 at Indiana Transmission Plant II.

Sarah Lawson works in Department 6900

at ITP II.

Photos by Steve Geiselman

Jeff Longshore operates a machine in Don Martin instructs Dawn Thieke on a

Department 6400 at ITP II. machine in Department 6900.

Colby Dodson (left) and Reed Jackson work on parts.


Many changes at Chrysler since 2000
by Peter Adelsen
staff writer
padelsen@kokomoperspective.com
It has been a roller
coaster ride for Chrysler
over the years. Since 2000,
the community has felt the
pride and then uncertainty
of the company’s survival.
When the company
looked as if there were no
tomorrow, it has always
found a way to get back on
its feet, in 1980 and again
since 2008. Much still
needs to be done at
Chrysler, but hope has re-
turned.
The future of Chrysler
looked bleak back in 2008.
The financial crisis led to
the automobile crisis as
the then-“Old Chrysler”
and General Motors re-
quested loans from the
federal government.
Shortly thereafter, both
companies filed for Chap-
ter 11 bankruptcy protec-
tion, but there would be a
rebound for both compa-
nies.
Since that time,
Chrysler has improved the
company with producing a
new lineup of vehicles
with improved styling.
“Chrysler has improved
tremendously as far as the
quality of our vehicles,”
said Rich Boruff, president
of United Auto Workers
Local 685.
Boruff credits the new
partnership with Fiat as of
January 2009 as a turning
point with the company. In
the deal, Fiat took a 20
percent stake in Chrysler.
“It will all come into
play when you start seeing
J.D. Power and Consumer
Reports on our new prod-
ucts since Fiat took over;
you’ll see it actually com-
ing out,” he said. “They’ve
done more with us in one
year than Daimler did with
us in 10 years. There are a
lot of drastic changes to
the vehicles. One of our
weakest points was the in-
terior design of our vehi-
cles, and I think that’s
there they’ve turned us
around and strengthened
us into our strong point.”
Chrysler has changed
hands numerous times
since 2000. It was once
deemed as the healthiest
MEETING THE WORKERS — President Obama greets
ITP II workers during his visit to the plant in 2010.
Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman
Feb. 23, 2011 Kokomo Perspective
Salute to Chrysler 2011 E5
of the big three automak-
ers in 2005 by “Business
Week” and later found it-
self filing for Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection in
2009.
Since 2000, Chrysler has
been known as Daimler-
Chrysler (1998-2007),
Chrysler Holding LLC
(2007-2009) when it was
with Ceberus Capital Man-
agement and now Chrysler
Group LLC (2009-present).
The company has also
been a part of some
changes locally with the
opening of Indiana Trans-
mission Plant II in 2003.
Lately there has been
more good news instead of
bad news.
In May 2010, Chrysler
announced a $343 million
commitment to Kokomo.
This was well before the
big announcement that in-
cluded the likes of Presi-
dent Barack Obama, Vice
President Joe Biden and
CEO Sergio Marchionne in
November 2010 at ITP II. MAKING IT GO —
With Obama in town,
Shellee Hamilton, a
Chrysler announced that it
intended to invest $843
worker at ITP II, is part of
million in its Kokomo fa- the team that makes
cilities to produce future things run smoothly.
Perspective photo / Steve
generation front-wheel Geiselman
drive transmissions.
At the company’s lowest
point in sales since 2000 ruptcy protection and an-
with only 931,402 cars sold nounces an alliance with
in 2009, it has been on the Fiat S.p.A.
upswing with 1,085,211 2010: Nov. 23- President
cars sold in 2010. Obama, Vice President
“We should have every- Biden, CEO Sergio Mar-
body back to work once chionne visit ITP II to an-
these product lines come nounce $843 million
out,” Boruff said. “Once investment in Kokomo’s
we pass this little dip in Chrysler facilities.
volume that we’re in right 2010: Dec. 21- Toronto-
now. We are building our Dominion (TD) Bank ac-
four-speeds right now and quires Chrysler Financial
getting ready to launch for $6.3 billion from Ce-
eight and nine-speeds so berus Capital Manage- CEO — Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne was swarmed by the media during Obama’s
that should separate us ment. visit.
from the competition.” Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman
Notable events since
2000:
1998-2000: Daimler-
Chrysler AG
2003: Indiana Transmis-
sion Plant II opens
2007-2009: Daimler-
Chrysler AG sells 80.1 per-
cent of its stake to
Ceberus Capital Manage-
ment for $7.4 billion
2008-2009: Worldwide
automobile crisis
2009: April, 30- Chrysler
files for Chapter 11 bank-
Kokomo Perspective Feb. 23, 2011

E6 Salute to Chrysler 2011

Kokomo Transmission Plant workers get it in gear

Erica Kline is a 11-year employee at the Kokomo Transmission Plant.

Judy Williams has been with Chrysler since

1997.

Mark Cotton is a 12-year employee at the

Nino Brooks has been with Chrysler since
1992 and works at the KTP.
Kokomo Transmission Plant.
Lisa Sharp, a 12-year KTP
employee, works on the line.
Photos by Steve Geiselman
 Feb. 23, 2011 Kokomo Perspective

Salute to Chrysler 2011 E7

ITP2 workers give new meaning to teamwork

Craig Smith, who works in Department 6200, is part of the ITP Tom Black, who works in Department 6200, moves some parts.
II team.

Mark Tindell works in heat treat in Depart-

Marcus Small keeps things moving in De- ment 6401. Linda Richeson works in Department 6900
partment 6400. at ITP II.
Photos by Steve Geiselman
Page E8 Kokomo Perspective February 23, 2011

THANK
YOU
Working
Families
of
Kokomo
For Continuing
to Make Our
City
a Great Place
to Raise a
Mayor Greg Goodnight Family!
City Clerk Brenda Brunnemer-Ott
At-Large Councilman Mike Kennedy
At-Large Councilman Tom Miklik
At-Large Councilman Kevin Summers
1st District Councilman Mike Wyant
2nd District Councilman Bob Cameron
3rd District Councilwoman Janie Young
4th District Councilman Donnie Haworth
5th District Councilwoman Cynthia Sanders
6th District Councilman Ralph Baer