Hello All!

My name is John Ferrell and for the last fourteen years I have been an employee of General Motors (GM). My job has enabled me to support myself and my four children including a son who has been diagnosed with autism. I worked very hard and seen myself retiring from GM one day. However, all of that changed on June 18th when I tested positive for COVID-19. While I was concerned about my own health, I was also concerned about the health of the other employees at GM. I immediately notified my supervisor and union representative of my status. I also notified approximately 27 of my co-workers that I knew I had been in close contact with on the job. When I notified my co-workers, understandably, many of them were concerned and spoke with their leaders about having time off work to get tested. This in turn frustrated management as they were concerned about staffing. This information was relayed to me through their employees. I was blindsided by this information as I felt it was my responsibility to notify the people closest to me that they had been in close proximity to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

Thankfully, on July 13th I was completely recovered from COVID-19 and able to return to work. Once I returned to work I was called into a meeting with GM Head of Labor relations. In the meeting I was essentially interrogated about who I had spoken to about my COVID-19 status. I was uncomfortable and wasn't sure what these people wanted from me but, I remained calm and answered their questions at the direction of my union rep. Two days later I was informed that I was being terminated for breaking their "Covid policy." This was a policy that went into effect when I was out sick but, after reviewing the policy it was clear that I did not violate it.

If you have made it this far through my story then I truly appreciate you. After 14 years of being gainfully employed, I am now unemployed during a global crisis through no fault of my own and for reasons I still don't fully comprehend. I need your help to fight this corporation because I am one person and I cannot do it on my own. No one deserves to be fired for having COVID-19 or for informing others they were exposed!

Thank you and God Bless You!

John Ferrell Sr