As one of MANY ex-employees of Armstrong Volkswagen, I think I speak for the 30 who have been fired for complete nonsense reasons when I say this place needs to become the focus of local media attention. This report will explain why.
First, in January of a man named Jim Sampson was hired as the Service Manager. That was the beginning of his campaign of power trips and scare tactics. And this is speaking from the employee's side. The co-owner of the place, David Freeman, who's business partner manages a Toyota Dealership in California, hired Jim Sampson to increase revenue and decrease spending.
So what is the first thing he does? Let the firing commence. But January the month he was fired as the Service Manager, only 1 year after being hired, he had fired, or led to the firing/quitting, of over 30 employees. They weren't all low-level employees. Some of them had been there for decades. On such employee, Jim Hopp, worked there for around 30 years, only to be fired by some ego-tripping new guy.
Other employees who quit or were fired due to something Jim said to David Freeman included the Office Manager, an elderly woman by the name of Carol (last name unknown). She quit when she refused to fire a member of her staff at the owner's (Dave Freeman's) request, or should I say demand. When she objected, his words were "You fire her, or else" when she cut him off mid-sentence and quit on the spot.
Amplify that situation by 30 and you've got an entire staff gone.
Next I'll concentrate on the Sales team. For the most part the sales team is a rather conservative bunch when it comes to firing for nonsense reasons.
However, they sure do like pouring wheel acid and degreaser, not to mention various other chemicals, into the Willamette River. You see, in the back, where cars are cleaned to be sold, there is only one stall to wash the car in, and a 2nd stall for cleaning the interior, waxing, etc. Well, what happens when the wash stall is being used? They pull the next car up behind it, and wash it outside. When they wash a car they use wheel acid or degreaser, and who knows what other chemicals. The problem with that is that the drains outside dump straight into the river, and they know that. Environmental regulations and laws clearly state that no harmful substance is to be allowed to enter the drain. They know that, but choose to ignore it.
Enter the whistleblowers. Former employees who all say the same thing, removing all doubt that the allegation is false.
Now, that's fine and dandy. But there are certain middle-management persons there who, according to past and current employees, make it a very hostile work environment.
One employee, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of being in the next round of firings, has mentioned a man named Gary McAdams grabbing him by the shirt and calling him obscene names. Upon hearing that, I questions past employees. Apparently, Gary was previously the Finance Manager for sales, before moving to a Service Advisor position. Several past and current employees have stated that he is a very rude individual who has repeatedly threatened various employees, once with a knife.
Another mid-management person named was Jeff Marlin. I've been told that Jeff Marlin is the Lot Manager, but only because he's been there so long, as the position officially doesn't exist, so it's really just a title he gets. From what I understand, he has a reputation for trying to get people he doesn't like fired by deception. Why doesn't he like them? Because they won't do everything he demands they do. God forbid he could ask nicely and be civil. He's also been reported to have gotten in confrontations with past employees because they got tired of him trying to bully them around.
Those are just two examples of middle management taking the power they DON'T have and letting it go directly to their heads. Upper Management has been notified about them several times by past employees, who were current at the time, as well as still current employees. They do nothing about it.instead, they fire the employees who complain about it and hire a new guy, until he complains. Then the cycle continues.
For the sake of ending this report, I ask you all to contact the company and let them know of this report. Contact local media. Get involved. People just like you have had their lives affected in a very bad way by Armstrong Buick/Bolkswagen. It could happen to you at your next employer. Don't let them go unpunished.
Alert the Oregon Environmental Protection Agency about their dumping of toxic chemicals into the Willamette River. If they listen, show them this report. Alert OSEA to the unsafe work conditions in the shops and stalls where cars are worked on.
That said, I thank you for taking the time to read this report, and I give my heartfelt thanks and regards to all current and former employees who brought this to my attention, so that I could let you know about it.
J
Portland, Oregon
U.S.A.
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