LG Chem, a stimulus funded subsidiary of Compact Power, was once touted as a prime example for green energy initiatives by President Barack Obama. The Holland, Michigan company accrued approximately $150 million of taxpayer funds to further their efforts to make electrical batteries . Plant employees admitted to Target 8 News that they routinely sit around and watch movies, play cards, and clean around the facility because they have no orders to fill.
News of the lack of productivity reached Washington DC, and the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board has promised to take action. LG Chem has not yet shipped a single battery. The Chevy Volt was reportedly supposed to be the Compact Power subsidiary’s biggest customer, but that did not work out so well either.
Former LG Chem employee, Nicole Merryman had this to say during a Target 8 News interview:
“There would be up to 40 of us that would just sit in there during the day. We were given assignments to go outside and clean. If there was nothing for us to do, we would study in the cafeteria, or we would sit and play cards, sit and read magazines. It’s really sad that all these people are sitting there and doing nothing, and it’s basically on taxpayer money.”
Current employees interviewed by Target 8 confirm that employees are still idle due to a lack of work and often play cards or board games.
In 2011, workers made approximately 100,000 test battery cells that allegedly worked well, but that task basically ceased in December. The test battery cells were reportedly sent out for recycling earlier this year. The LG Chem plant in Holland has already spent $133 million of stimulus funds, the Washington Examiner notes. The bulk of the money was used for construction and equipment with approximately 40 percent of that amount allegedly paid to foreign companies. Although the electric battery manufacturing employees maintain they have not received any training sessions in months, the company claims to have spent $7 million for worker education.
Volt no jolt: LG Chem employees idle
