EVERETT — Boeing has fired four workers for using and selling illegal drugs at its Everett facility.
The company said the terminations followed an internal investigation, but declined to provide further details.
“We have verified that all work performed by the individuals involved was inspected or validated through our normal processes by employees who were not part of this action,” Boeing spokesman Paul Bergman said.
The company has zero tolerance for violations of its drug-free workplace rules, he said.
“Our message to employees or families of employees is that if they know of someone with substance abuse issues, to encourage the individual to come forward and to ask for help through Boeing’s substance abuse help program,” Bergman said.
Boeing investigators shared their findings with police on Thursday evening, said officer Aaron Snell, spokesman for the Everett Police Department.
The allegations involve drug-related crimes on company property, he said. Detectives now are reviewing the information.
It was too soon Friday morning to say whether the case will lead to criminal charges, he said. Police aren’t disclosing what kind of drugs were involved.
“We don’t release that information,” Snell said. “There have been no arrests. It’s too early in the investigation.”
Prior to being hired, Boeing workers are drug tested, Bergman said. After that, any employee can be tested for drugs or alcohol “under certain circumstances — such as reasonable suspicion someone is under the influence — or following an accident.”
Workers can be randomly tested if they work in a position identified as safety-sensitive, sensitive or mission critical by the U.S. Department of Transportation or another federal agency, he said.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
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