Power Plant Union Questions [Merged]

[tonynuke]

I am looking for the lowdown on power plant unions, specifically in my case ... at the northern IL Exelon plants, from a house persons point of view.  Good deal, bad deal, or really doesnt matter?  I appreciate all input. 

P.S. If anyone who works/has worked at one of these plants sees this ... drop me a message with a little info about the area if ya dont mind.

Have a great day!

[swanssong]

Tonynuke, Wake up and take a look around you. The legislature that this Bush administration is shoving down the workers throats isn't exactly good for the people who work without representation. You are far better off working under a contract than without.

[DJ@Retired]

I like to reply to this. but my Karma might take a big hit again. All I'll say is buy American. God Bless DJ

[Roll Tide]

+Karma Tonynuke,
This could be a hot topic!

Specific information should come from the knowledgeable sources: PM DJ@Clinton for the private details.

DJ, I was car shopping the other day. Should I buy a Honda built in Alabama or a Chrysler made in Mexico? I just want to support my fellow American workers!

[Nuclear NASCAR]

+Karma Tonynuke,
This could be a hot topic!

Specific information should come from the knowledgeable sources: PM DJ@Clinton for the private details.

DJ, I was car shopping the other day. Should I buy a Honda built in Alabama or a Chrysler made in Mexico? I just want to support my fellow American workers!

Just buy a Dodge made in Missouri and you'll be OK!!   

[doctormoo]

buy a nissan made in mississippi

[radgal]

Worked just about all the old ComEd now Exelon plants on the contractor side and ex was LTC.  From what I know, House union guys do make some good green and usually get to do shared resource outages for more green.  I believe the benes are good but don't know details.  I'd take a house job for them.

[moke]

Your union is only as good as it's representation and their upper tier connections such as the Teamsters whom I feel have one of the best.

Many know about the IBEW and how they got many to buy-in to an illegal introduction with the power arena. There should have been a national vote first to be legal yet this so called organization was'nt as good as many thought. Many RCT s jumped on the Band wagon without doing their homework and ended up eating Crow!

I have noticed today that many of the stronger union organizations still compromise their membership caving in on various issues.

I worked for two years here in NY with Local 138 (Operators) and their Delegate Jim was very knowledgable and knew how to cover his members and did a fine job. They carry a nice big stick here and the type I would consider joining, at the same time, there will always be small inconsistencies to deal with. We have heavy hitters here in NY and I like the Teamsters since they have many professional attributes and horse power behind the scenes to boot.

Have an Awesome Week!

Moke

[ramdog_1]

I geuss they have there places and are good for those who are in them, like bennys and stuff.

[lowlrc]

If you like stagnating air, tornadoes sirens, old style beer and bad food you'll like the surrounding area. One a positive note, the people for the most part, are great. The plants themselves, on a scale of one to ten rate a one (one being the lowest) and the low rating is due to the fact that the union workers are the biggest bunch of a-holes I have ever worked with.

[DJ@Retired]

Good Question Tide! How about the pants your wear or the sneaker you play ball in. Even better the gas you put in your car! I'd buy the Honda!

+Karma Tonynuke,
This could be a hot topic!

Specific information should come from the knowledgeable sources: PM DJ@Clinton for the private details.

DJ, I was car shopping the other day. Should I buy a Honda built in Alabama or a Chrysler made in Mexico? I just want to support my fellow American workers!

[EdwardR]

This post is appropriate to begin a thread in the Donors area only.

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php?topic=2129


---ROLL TIDE

[tonynuke]

Wow, talk about a can of worms! 

[DainJer]

If you like stagnating air, tornadoes sirens, old style beer and bad food you'll like the surrounding area. One a positive note, the people for the most part, are great. The plants themselves, on a scale of one to ten rate a one (one being the lowest) and the low rating is due to the fact that the union workers are the biggest bunch of a-holes I have ever worked with.

Is this all Unions..or Most...be more specific about the plant and the Trade...please.

Cause I could be one of those A**holes

[Roll Tide]

Wow, talk about a can of worms! 

Actually, it is the tip of the iceberg. This thread is in danger of being moved to PolySci, which is a "Donors only" area.

That's why I suggested a Personal Message.

On the other hand, each site has a thread dedicated to "Rate a site", "Talk about a site", and our latest addition "Local flavor". Particular information on each site can be found on those threads, and many are willing to respond to those general questions when it regards a particular site!

Get the information you need, then pursue your goals!

[rabbit]

Worked at Clinton.  Liked it there.  Needed roller skates but sometimes that's the way it goes.

As far as the union goes, I liked getting more money for the work.  The pay rates vary so much from plant to plant that when you can get double bubble at the union plant, it can make up for the shortfalls elsewhere.  That wasn't the case at Oyster Creek tho (if I remember right).  Pay your dues but no representation.  I think Clinton's union might have done more for the tech.

Had a higher rate of pay at Quad also but not as good as Clinton.  That's the price you pay for dose I guess.

[lowlrc]

Dainjer, my mistake, I shouldn't have   categorized all the union workers as a-hole. But I will tell you that the house people at Dresden, Zion, LaSalle and Braidwood wore the most miserable bunch of people I have every worked with. As for the contractors they for the most part were fine, fitter, carps, tin knockers and most of the laborers all a bunch of nice guys. The last time I was there the group of laborers I worked around were a bunch of thugs. They threatened people and destroyed people's property. That's basically when I lost all respect for the union.

[DainJer]

I'll give ya LaSalle, and a few at Braidwood...Quad had some really helpful housetechs...this is no small feat for that plant.

Byron (my home plant) has a few Techs that seem to be stuck up, but we work with the Bartlett techs and they are a damn good bunch.

The clinton techs were OK, although I grew tired of waiting for hours to have a shoe deconned a few times.

Dresden had a chem tech that was simply a dream (if your blonde and a chemtech at dresden just smile) I had no problems with the techs there.
My first time working and first day of the outage I got grilled by a long haired, bushy bearded tech for 5 minutes on my dosimeter settings, what the area survey said about smearable etc...he walked away happy.

I am a Carpenter by trade, and realize that a few Union A**es give many of us a bad name. Also, most Union people do not get the background and inside knowledge that this site provides, if they did....the working relationship between trades and techs would be greatly improved.

[Surveyors_mato]

Being a union affiliated person also, the problem as I see it is in the people coming in some with no respect for anyone, anything or the job. Pride in ones craft leads to real pride respect for others as well.
  We could use one in the contract tech field but I'm not holding my breath.

[cerpico]

tONY,
uNIONS IN GENERAL ARE NOT BAD I would stay away from any union associated with a southeast  nuclear plant owner beginning with th letters FP and having a local leader by the name of R C*****. This is a company union. One opinion

[rawtech]

I'll give ya LaSalle, and a few at Braidwood...Quad had some really helpful housetechs...this is no small feat for that plant.

Byron (my home plant) has a few Techs that seem to be stuck up, but we work with the Bartlett techs and they are a damn good bunch.

The clinton techs were OK, although I grew tired of waiting for hours to have a shoe deconned a few times.

Dresden had a chem tech that was simply a dream (if your blonde and a chemtech at dresden just smile) I had no problems with the techs there.
My first time working and first day of the outage I got grilled by a long haired, bushy bearded tech for 5 minutes on my dosimeter settings, what the area survey said about smearable etc...he walked away happy.

I am a Carpenter by trade, and realize that a few Union A**es give many of us a bad name. Also, most Union people do not get the background and inside knowledge that this site provides, if they did....the working relationship between trades and techs would be greatly improved.

Hey Dainjer, I think you may have been speaking about me. (the description of the tech in question kinda sounded like me.) If it was me, I hope I didn't give you too hard of a time. Just doin my job you know.                                                       rawtech

[DainJer]

If memory serves me it was above the ?recirc. pumps on the left side of containment, down the stairs...you can't miss the big pumps that stick up into the floor on either side.

It's never a hassle to have techs ask questions, your ensuring that I can handle any situation that has occured or might occur. Understanding your surroundings is half the battle when working....especially at Dresden/Quad.

Although I still hold it against someone in Rad Control for having me work in the torus in full dress while building ladders and racks for the divers standing behind us in booties and gloves, while dragging screaming air hoses

Was also the first plant that ever sprayed static guard on my hard hat everytime I entered the plant.
Although we still alarmed 60% of the time.

[rawtech]

Dresden-reactor bldg.                                                           Quad-I worked just about everywhere                                                                   I agree that both of those plants were a whole new experience for me. I like what I do & I like the fact that I may be able to keep someone from taking the sh*t home with them to their families, or help them avoid receiving more dose than they need to. Dres. made me feel like an RP. Quad on the other hand, made me feel like they needed me there to only fill a quota. (Don't even think about having a concern.) Basically being told " If you have a problem in this or that area, what we will do is move you from that area. Not fix the problem". It'll be quite a long time(if ever) before Quad sees my resume again. Nothing against the construction trades, or the contract techs., but I can't work with blinders on. Which is what the people in charge there expect. Oh well plenty of other plants out there. Take care, and be safe,                                   rawtech

[nuc]

I am looking for the lowdown on power plant unions, specifically in my case ... at the northern IL Exelon plants, from a house persons point of view.  Good deal, bad deal, or really doesnt matter?  I appreciate all input. 

P.S. If anyone who works/has worked at one of these plants sees this ... drop me a message with a little info about the area if ya dont mind.

Have a great day!

I may be working at the Dresden plant in maintenance. I was a navy nuc and am wondering about the plant and the unions

[DainJer]

Anything close to Chicago is fairly high cost of living.
From the "Carpenter" side...the unions in that area tend to be a bit overzealous.

I liked the plant, but didn't like dealing with all the gas that seemed to cling to you everytime you wanted to scan out.

If you like the Gambling boats, you have a few to pick from that are fairly close.

[bmr176]

Hello All,
I am a NucE student who will be looking for employment possibly in operations (NLO/ aux operator...) after graduation next May and was curious about Reactor Operators unions.

Is there one large union that represents the operators or is it more regional/company/site specific?
What sites have RO unions?
Are there companies you would recommend steering clear of because of unions/ no unions?

I have spent the last couple days trying to find out from companies websites and googling alot about these questions.  Any one know a good place to look?

Thank you in advance,
bmr176

[Fermi2]

There is no nationwide RO Union. The affiliation of local depends on the region. Some are IBEW, some UWUA, and I'd imagine there are others.

My old plant had Non Union Supervisory ROs. The NLOs were in UWUA Local 223. I've heard the ROs are in the process of going Union.

My new plant has Union NLOs and ROs.

There are some plants that don't have Unions at all.

It's been my experience they're all good people and work hard regardless of whether they are Union or not. I've heard some absolute horror stories from both ends of the spectrum, but to date haven't experienced anything bad or all that horrific.

Mike

It's all what you make of the job I guess.

[halflifer]

If you grad w/ a degree in NucE, you may want to look at applying for jobs as Shift Eng. It will pay more and may well be a quicker route to SRO. These positions are usually considered management and wouldn't be union. As previously stated, there is no 'RO' union. Unions are local entities for the most part.

[Nuclear NASCAR]

Hello All,
I am a NucE student who will be looking for employment possibly in operations (NLO/ aux operator...) after graduation next May and was curious about Reactor Operators unions.

Is there one large union that represents the operators or is it more regional/company/site specific?
What sites have RO unions?
Are there companies you would recommend steering clear of because of unions/ no unions?

I have spent the last couple days trying to find out from companies websites and googling alot about these questions.  Any one know a good place to look?

Thank you in advance,
bmr176

As has already been said there isn't one national Union for RO's.  IF the RO's are Union at a plant it will usually be the one that represents all of the physical workers at that plant.  I know of one plant where the SRO's are also Union.

If you're trying to find out from a company website if a site is organized or not it's usually a crapshoot.  Sometimes you may have to look at a job spec listing to find out if a job is Union or not.  I have seen that info listed there at times.  If it's not listed you can always drop a line to the HR department and just ask them if their employees are represented or not.   

I've got to ask the question, Are you wanting to get into Ops to improve your experience factor along with your degree?  I think it's a great idea personally, you've just got my curiosity going is all.

No matter what I want to wish you the best of luck in your search.  Is there any area in particular that you're wanting to land in?

[bmr176]

Thank you all for the info.  It was exactly what I was looking.

As far as why I am looking into Ops,  I am an ex nuke sub electrician (6 and out baby) going for my degree, working as a part time SRO licensed intern at our research reactor ( 1 MW TRIGA).  I really enjoyed what I did in the Navy as far as operating.  I am finding I am not very interested in fuel managment, design, or NRC type work in general ( I get a little cranky sitting behind a desk all day solving thermal flow calculations).  I also figure starting at the bottom and learning the plant from aux operator and working my way up will make me a better operator and maybe later down the road I could move to managment or something else.

I have learned so much more about the industry in my short time here than I have in school or the Navy.  I am just trying to keep ALL my options open.  I am not even sure what all the jobs my experience qualifies me for but this site has been more than helpful.

thanks again.

[thenuttyneutron]

I earned my degree in nuclear engineering last August and I landed my first job just recently in Ohio.  Getting someone in HR to notice you is the hardest part of getting a ops job.  I mailed out 64 letters to all power plants and only had a few responses.  Most of them were "we are not hiring".  About 6 of them came back undeliverable.

Once you get a shot at an interview you will have to take that POSS test.  Take this test only after you drill yourself sick on all the parts.  Not only memorize the conversions but know very fast mental math.  That is the 2nd battle you must fight.  If you fail the POSS you must wait 3 months to take it again.  Luckly I passed it my first shot.  Don't let the degree make you think you are a badass.  I found out before the test what it was and that only 20% at best of the people that take it pass it.  This is independent of education level.  I.E. a high school grad or a college grad ahve the same pass rates.  When I learned this I got scared and drilled myself night and day for the test.  Get friends to make up questions and give your self less time to take the test than real test conditions.

If you get the offer of a job take it!  Then you will go through a huge background check, physical and phyc evaluation.  After all that is over your real education will begin.  I am starting off at fire school first.  The road to SRO is long and hard but I think it is worth it.  I am going to learn so much in the next few years.

It is not easy to get in, but it is worth it.  Only 6 people have been hired out of 70 people coming to take the test and interview.  The odds are not good but with a good nights rest and determination I think you can do it, especially if you earned an ABET accredited nuclear engineering degree.