DeNuke

[Shonkatoys]

DeNuke  is bidding  outages.  I  do  not  work for  them,  but  have  worked  with  their  people  and  they are  great!!! Hope  they  give  SEC  and Bartlett a run  for  their  money.

[radman5030]

Shonka RULES!!!!!!!

Sushi it's not just for breakfast anymore.

[Shonkatoys]

I agree LD5030. Also  I  just  had me  some Sushi  an  hour  ago!!! I  thought  this  was  the  DeNuke  thread though. I  am  too  modest to  start a  Shonka  thread, But if someone  else  does I  guess I  can  make comment.  As  I  said  before,  DeNuke  is  great!!!!!!

[Already Gone]

I have to give them their props for coming out in public with that name.  DeNuke is what happened to those guys who failed NPS or got busted for drugs in the Navy.  Either that or they are French-Canadian.  Then again, they could be using the "De"refix as a Mediterranian kind of thing.  Y'know, like: El Plaza De Nuke, or maybe a Southwestern flair: Los Comancheros De Los Nukas.
I find it hard to think that anyone will take them seriously since they put so little thought into the name of their company.  After all, the Brand Name is a the most valuable asset any business owns.  DeNuke sounds like something George Costanza (Seinfeld) would have come up with.  Do you suppose their CEO is Art Van der Lay?
On the other hand... if they can staff outages with qualified people, keep those people working, pay them with checks that don't bounce... they may overcome the stigma of having a silly name.
I wish them the best of luck in this rough business.  If they are willing to treat their employees as people, they'll have my support.

[s_Phoenix]

OR there name could be that they are good at DE-contamination.

[Atomic_Punk]

Who cares what they're called?  As long as they cut the checks and they don't bounce.

[MrHazmat]

I know the VP with DeNuke, worked with him at Chem-Nuclear. Nice person and very smart, been in this buisness for years, I think they will make it just fine. Have no idea where the name came from.

[Shonkatoys]

I  heard  DeNuke is  offering  33hr and 105 diem for outages. Thats Good  for a Senior HP!!!

[Already Gone]

I  heard  DeNuke is  offering  33hr and 105 diem for outages. Thats Good  for a Senior HP!!!

That's not really fair.  They are offering that rate for ONE project only!!!  It is not for an outage - it is for a "project".  It wouldn't be fair to say that they are offering 33/105 for outages when they are offering 33/105 for one non-outage job.  There is no mention of the hours, or if the overtime rate is time and a half or straight time or if they are even paying for overtime at all.  It is highly probable that this is for a 40hr/week job.  As far as the 105 per-diem goes, look at the location.  The gov't per-diem rate for that area is around $300.  So, $105 isn't that great.

I hope that they will be able to come up with the goods, but you are putting a big burden on them when you say that they are offering something that they are not.  Personally, I think it is a good rate, but it is the standard rate for an ALARA job anyway.  So, don't get yer panties in a twist.

[Already Gone]

I'm getting a mental block.  When the posting says "outage tech support" I don't read that the same as being an outage RP tech.  To me, that sounds like ALARA or something indirectly related.  Since Bartlett has the contract for RP techs at that particular plant, I'm led to suspect that there are only a couple of openings providing ALARA (or a similar function) for some contractor.  Usually, those jobs start at 40's for like a month before the outage, switch to OT during the outage, and end at some point before the outage itself is over.
What I'm saying is that this particular job offer is nothing new or spectacular.  It has been going on for a long time, but somebody got the idea that this pay rate is for swinging a meter in the can for three weeks of 84's.  A little caution has to be used here, else someone is likely to get disappointed.
On the PLUS SIDE, it's good to see that they're paying for OT.

[PWHoppe]

Has anyone actually contacted DeNuke and asked them what the job is? Otherwise we are all just engaging in supposition, and rumour mill.

[RDTroja]

Has anyone actually contacted DeNuke and asked them what the job is? Otherwise we are all just engaging in supposition, and rumour mill.

Thank you PW... I think it rather interesting that someone can hope for something to happen and then when it looks like it might all they can do is say "it ain't so" without even finding out for sure. Maybe this is the beginning of a change and maybe it isn't, but let's give this a chance and see, at least.

This site has probably spent more electrons debating the pay (or lack thereof) in this industry than any other subject. Included in that are unions, the lack of ability of HPs to agree on holding out for more money, and conspiracy theories galore about this company or that utility 'keeping our pay down'. The utilities are doing their job by keeping their costs as low as they can any way they can. The contract companies are doing their jobs by trying to find the amount of money they can bid and still get the job versus the amount of money they have to pay techs to get them to show up and stay there. We are doing our jobs by either agreeing to accept the money or letting the utilities and contract companies know that it is not enough and that they got it wrong. Unfortunately we also have the job of feeding our families and putting roofs over our heads. Therein lies the conflict.

I personally think all the parties are doing their jobs as well as can be expected. I have accepted only jobs that meet my expectations, which by nature change with circumstances. Bartlett has been good to me and I have been good to them. If DeNuke can offer more money, however they are doing it and for however long they can make it work, I say good for them. If they can push the pay higher by whatever method they use, good for us. I hope they stick around and make a go of it. After all, that is how our economic system is supposed to work.

[Shonkatoys]

Well, one  of  DeNuke's Rad engineer told me  the  rate.  I  believe  him because  as  I  said  DeNuke  is  a  great  company.  However if  you  do not  believe the  OT, Rate, Diem, etc.  GET  IT IN  WRITING!
I  think  that  anyone  that  talks to DeNuke  will  get the  same  story I got  and  they  won't  be  offended  if  you  want  it  in  writing.  But  if  you  doubt the  new  kid on  the  block,  well its  your  loss.  I  think  if  you  get  on  the  ground  floor with  a  great  company  you  will  go  far. I  work  for  Shonka as  you can  tell  by  my  name,  I  took  a chance  and  I  do not  regret  it.  It  was  the  best  choice  I  made  in  the  Nuke  industry. Take  a  chance with Denuke,  I  doubt  you  would  regret  it.  or you  can  just  stay  a  cog  in  a  big  nuclear  body  shop,   Your Choice

[Already Gone]

I don't doubt the rate, or the quality of the company.  All I am objecting to is the statement that "DeNuke is paying $33/105 for outages"  This statement is misleading.  They are paying SOME techs that money for ONE outage, and the work is not at the technician level.
Yes, this is good money, and I'm glad to hear that this opportunity is there.  It's just not fair to make a blanket statement about what they are paying without including the details.

[Rennhack]

…work is not at the technician level.

Yes, it IS at the Technician level. They are 3.1 slots.  The job posting says so. "DeNuke has a limited number of outage support positions for Sr. HP Techs."

...they are offering 33/105 for one non-outage job.

Yes, it IS an outage job.  The job posting says so. "Outage Tech Support with Project Bonus".

There is no mention of the hours, or if the overtime rate is time and a half or straight time or if they are even paying for overtime at all.  It is highly probable that this is for a 40hr/week job.

How many Bartlett outage jobs posted on this site have you made that assumption on?  None? Oh.  How many Sr HP Techs working an outage at IP have not received Time and a half for overtime? None. Usually only management types are exempt.  Rarely are technicians exempt. So why would you raise an unfounded accusation?

-- Understand that I'm working for Bartlett, have been for a while now, and they treat me very, very well.  However, I'm not going to try to twist a good job offer info some pile of crap by making false statements and assumptions.

I do understand your points, and they are good ones to note. 

The use of pluralization for “outages” by the over enthusiastic poster is simply false at this point.

This doesn’t sound like a primary or backup HP contract to the utility.  It sounds like a subcontract to Washington group, or the like. (But I’m just guessing like you are)

But calling this job an “ALARA Engineer” slot?? Jeez, who can’t read a meter, calculate stay times, read/write an RWP, brief the workers and perform the required job coverage?  I guess that’s why it is advertised for a 3.1.

Lastly… It is an outage job for a Sr. HP Tech, and it does include over time at time and a half.  If some a 3.1 was going to work that outage, this would be a fine slot, with some good experience for the resume.

We have all heard an adage that tells a reliable way to settle controversy. "If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, you can be reasonably sure it is a duck."

[Already Gone]

Mike, I don't think this offer is a pile of crap.  In fact, I think it is a good deal for anyone who gets in.
I don't have a problem with the job, the pay, the wording of the offer, or the company.

Here's my problem:  A company posts a job with a limited scope.  It happens to be at a nuke plant during an outage.  It is NOT the staffing contract for the outage.  Then, somebody says something like, "I hear DeNuke is paying $33/105 for outages"

This is how big overblown rumors get started.  DeNuke would be left to look pretty bad if a bunch of RP techs start calling and find out that this job is filled.  Next, they'll start blaming DeNuke for the old bait and switch.  Never mind that DeNuke never made a single false claim or backed off of a single offer.

I hear what you're saying.  I just think it could damage the company's reputation to go about starting rumors that they are promising things that they are not promising.  This crowd can be pretty harsh and demanding.  Once the word gets out that you are offering the moon and stars, it's hard to deny that even if you never said it.  Plenty of people and companies in this business have been trashed mercilessly for breaking promises that they never made.  I just don't want to see that happen here.

So, I'm just advocating that people should get all the details before they start a rumor.  Even I had a little trouble getting it all down, as you have pointed out.  In the end, nothing on this or any discussion board can take the place of actually reading the posting and getting the facts from the source.  Unfortunately, the posting is gone, which indicates that it has probably been filled already.

[Shonkatoys]

 Beercourt those jobs  may be  gone,  But  they  are  now  offering 35-40  and  hour for  another job  they  just  posted with Per Diem.  DeNuke you  the  bomb!!   Hey why don't  everyone  hold  out   next  year  and  not  commit  to  any  outage  and  see  what  other companys  can  give  you.  DO not  commit  and  you  may   get  more  money,  There  are  tech  jobs  everywhere.  Don't  be  a  chump  and  jump  at  the  first  22 dollars  someone  throws  at  you.  That is  chump  change,  Hold  out everyone.  I  wonder if   enough techs  could  hold  out  to  influence  the  market.  Maybe  we  can  start   a  hold  out  promise  forum  in  Nuke  worker!!!. 

[Rennhack]

Hey why don't everyone hold out next year and not commit to any outage and see what other companys can give you. DO not commit and you may get more money, There are tech jobs everywhere. Don't be a chump and jump at the first 22 dollars someone throws at you. That is chump change, Hold out everyone. I wonder if enough techs could hold out to influence the market. Maybe we can start a hold out promise forum in Nuke worker!!!.

ShonkaToys, listen close.

As an individual, you can say those words.  BUT when you represent a company, you should not.  -- You may think that you do not represent a company, but by singing the praises of Shonka and DeNuke, people will associate you with those companies. -- Here is the problem with saying what you said:

Back at the turn of the century (2000), a guy named 'Rock' was posting on here and the other site for techs to hold out.  He was emailing everyone, and asking them to hold out, stating that he would get them work at a higher pay rate.  The theory being that the utilities would have to pay more if everyone held out, and the utilities would have to use his company if that is the only company that they would work for.  – Good theory.  If enough people would hold out, it would be true.

Here is what happened:  The RPM’s got wind of what Rock was preaching, and they got VERY upset with him.  Most refused to talk to him, let alone give him contracts.

If you don’t want to upset the very companies that Shonka and DeNuke are trying to court, I suggest that you keep a low tone on the “Hold out!” mantra.

Now, as I said, as an individual you can say it. But if there is any chance that an RPM might get confused and think that one of the companies whose praises you are singing posted it…

[PWHoppe]

Very well said Mike.

In addition the job as is posted by DeNuke is NOT a routine technician job. It is for a shipper, which is above and beyond a normal RCT function and requires specific training and qualifications, please READ the postings...

[Rennhack]

It's a different job PW, the one we were talking about has been removed.

http://www.nukeworker.com/job/view.php?job_id=1771

[PWHoppe]

Sorry for jumping the gun...mea culpa

please accept my apologies.

Still a good reply to you Mike.

[Already Gone]

Beercourt those jobs  may be  gone,  But  they  are  now  offering 35-40  and  hour for  another job  they  just  posted with Per Diem.  DeNuke you  the  bomb!!   Hey why don't  everyone  hold  out   next  year  and  not  commit  to  any  outage  and  see  what  other companys  can  give  you.  DO not  commit  and  you  may   get  more  money,  There  are  tech  jobs  everywhere.  Don't  be  a  chump  and  jump  at  the  first  22 dollars  someone  throws  at  you.  That is  chump  change,  Hold  out everyone.  I  wonder if   enough techs  could  hold  out  to  influence  the  market.  Maybe  we  can  start   a  hold  out  promise  forum  in  Nuke  worker!!!. 

Yeah!  Finally someone has the idea.

[Already Gone]

It's a different job PW, the one we were talking about has been removed.

http://www.nukeworker.com/job/view.php?job_id=1771

Mike,
This is a dead link.  It doesn't work now that the job posting is removed.

Another clarification, if I may.  Although I DID understand the work to be a "technician level" as far as qualifications, I meant that it wasn't "technician level" with regard to the type of work.  The stuff like outage job coverage, control point, smear-n-clear, etc. at that plant is contracted to Bartlett, and this is not a backup to that.  This work is of a particular nature, and they did advertise for both 3.1 and Rad Engineers in the same post without differentiation regarding pay.  I'm thinking that they want the First String players only.

This is why I jumped on that statement about them paying "$33/105 for outages".  The picture is a lot different.  The people on this job will not be warming a chair at a control point, or knitting scarves in the break room for 9 hours a night.  For that kind of money, you have to come ready to do the job, the whole job, and nuthin' but the job.

[RDTroja]

Yeah!  Finally someone has the idea.

We 'finally' had that idea about 15 years ago. Actually the old phrase "What if they gave an outage and no HPs came?" is about twice that age or more.

As you pointed out Beer Court, some people do not have the confidence that they will have a job if they don't take the one offered to them. I have 'held out' for the job I wanted and have done ok, but that was not because the utilities suddeny were stricken with fear that the contract techs wouldn't show up. The simple fact of the matter is that once the contract is signed, the contract company is obligated to provide techs at a certain price. On rare occasions the utilities have allowed a change based on availability, but that is indeed rare, and by the time it happens, things are generally a mess. At the end very few people would consider it a success.

What would happen? My guess is not much good, in the long run. If the utilities think we are trying to hold them up and threatening their schedules, you can bet that a lot of huge cuts and strong steps will be taken. Three in, three out? Forget that one. Breaks longer than the union minimums? All gone. If you want to act like a union be prepared to be treated like one. If you think things are bad with early layoffs and thin staffing, you ain't seen nothing yet. You may get a few extra dollars in the short run, but the cost will be higher than it is worth. Just my humble opinion, of course. The old adage about biting the hand that feeds you applies even if you don't think you are being fed enough.

[Rennhack]

Troy, we are saying the same thing.

(And I knew the link was dead, that was my point.)