Power Plant Union Questions [Merged]

[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.