I see the Union topic surfacing out of the dust. The attempt in 90 wasn't necessarily a failure, like many assume. Those in the industry at the time, know exactly how much control the techs had over the companies. You know the ones who don't exist anymore! The company that managed to stay on top simply had a better business plan and agreed to talk, only talk, to the union. Actually the venue that sparked the union effort, is what crushed the union effort. Poor wage packages left many techs with no reserve to sit it out! Today that venue has changed! Many techs are finally coming to the realization that there is life after nuke! Fourteen years ago many of us had families to provide for, now that the kids are running on their own, many of us need less to maintain our standards of living! The utilities have also assisted in this plan, short outages, short staff, and shared resources, just to mention a few. I believe everybody has to agree that the one sided commitments on the techs, by the contract companies and utilities, is poor at best! I believe it is called Employment at will! You have to love the initial staffing speeches on proffessionalism, as they are telling you that your six week stay, will probably only last a couple of weeks! If you attempt to leave early, your the bad guy, even one day early! Amazing how they can push you out the door in a second, but any attempt to leave on your part is a breech of some secret contract!
During the 1990 strike, I was employed with a utility and in case you weren't aware of the situation, it took a major toll on the site! It cost millions in materials, millions in manhours and 30 extra days of no turbine turning! Of course in those days, an extra million, or two, didn't seem to matter. Today, if they spend an extra buck, heads will roll! At the time we had a set of procedures, but they simply held the office door open for about three months! The only situation that pulled the utilities butt out of the ringer, was the fact that the staff, house and contractor trades, had many years of power plant experience and could perform their duties with only Health Physics oversight, baby sitters not required! That isn't the case today, the majority of the outage staff, at most outages, haven't a clue past GET!
Union, Organization, or whatever you want to call it, is a great idea. But you don't have to think on a scale of every tech in the industry. Many sites, in all sectors of the industry, have groups that could control their own destiny. In todays world, any group that took a stand, wouldn't have much resistance. Obviously their isn't a line of backup techs waiting at the door, Especially Site Qualified Techs! The staff managers, at these sites, actually believe they control the situation. Funny, but I believe a small portion of the staff could prove different! In the past, fear of retribution was an issue, but not today, the HP storage locker has run dry! Outages are running with as little as 20 Senior Contract Techs. That's about all it would take to control the situation! Remember, it's their contract, not yours! They are required to staff, your not required to stay!
The call for work is another interesting aspect of the business. I believe there is a lot of calling going on right now! In fact, I know there is a lot of calling going on right now! Commit, or Sit? You choice! The companies are still selling the Facade, of to many techs, to little work! Then they sell you the back to back assignments, which usually puts you on the bench for a while, UNPAID! For years I have watched the response, for the lack of techs on this site. When it gets down to the wire, the wallet always opened! Major bonus's in Com Ed, Cook and others! Commiting in June, for a September assignment, may not be in your best interest! It works for the contract companies, but keeps you on the bottom end of the food chain. Simple phrases like, I'll think about it, I'll get back to you, or I'm not interested now, works well! Making a decision to sit for a while, may mean you have to take your second or third choice, but the money would probably be more appealing! If you really want to see how much the contract companies appreciate you, call them back and tell them you changed your mind on an assignment!
You will never work in this business again! Your on probation for a year! Anyone ever heard those? They don't exist anymore! I don't believe any customer, would appreciate knowing their manpower need wasn't met because of a recruiters ego, or company policy! Think about it, their business exists because of Techs! No Techs, No Business! Cheap words at best!
Today, there are actually more contract companies in existance, then there was in 1990! Although most are small, most have positions. Everybody hears about the big guy with the most contract, some close to home. It's a matter of choice, but there are many good money making opportunities available, if your willing to travel, most long term! They also have excellent benefit and wage packages, wages higher than outage money! In fact, as most of you probably know, your best offers exist, when your working for the other guy! After all, if your already working for a company, why would they offer you anything else?
Although it's been talked about in the past, you actually can pick the money you want to work for today! You don't have to buy the $20.00/$80.00 from the contract companies, just tell them what your available for and sit back. After enough techs sit back, there will be no other option then to talk! They can keep crunching the dollars, but they can't force you to work for them! In todays market, with the contract companies push for Professional Technicians, I believe a professional wage should be paid. I believe a target wage of around $35.00 an hour, for a ten year Senior, isn't off the wall! Per Diem should be at the Government Standards! I haven't seen any reason or explaination why it should be lower! After all these years, I still haven't seen that HP Discount card!
Have a Better Day Today, RG
