Auto Club Fires27 San Diego Workers Overblog Messages

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Automobile Club of Southern California has fired 27 workers for posting messages on the popular MySpace social networking Web site.

The association, an AAA affiliate, fired the employees in one of its San Diego offices after at least one worker complained to management about feeling harassed by the comments, which were written by employees on their own time at home, said auto club spokeswoman Carol Thorp.

She said comments were made about other workers’ weight and sexual orientation.

“When a worker complains about harassment, you take it seriously,” Thorp said Friday.

Thorp said employees were also dismissed because they discussed online how they planned to slow down roadside assistance at work.

“That hits right at our basic service,” she said. Thorp said those fired were dispatchers or administrative support staff.