Chrysler and the UAW have a bargaining agreement regarding disciplinary actions and substance abuse problems (as did my Tier 1 company). At the most, I would have expected the workers to only get a few weeks off without pay but given the high profile coverage from the local TV media, they disregarded that established policy and tried to keep them fired.
The arbitrator didn't rule on the actions of the employees which resulted in their discharges, but rather Chrysler's violation of the legally binding bargaining agreement.......
When I buy my next car, I'm going to arbitrate my own ruling on this.