Author Topic: Hanford (Read 281010 times)

Rennhack · « **on:** Jan 28, 2003, 07:03 »

Don't forget to vote. Please keep it civil.

James Daniels has a furnished house very close to Hanford. He works at Hanford and has an empty furnished house less than 15 minutes from the project. Contact him at jeddan@worldnet.att.net

There are some nice places around near the site on the main drag in town. However, when it comes to Hanford, CLOSE=EXPENSIVE. To spend what you think is reasonable (under $1000/month), you probably should go to Pasco/Kennewick, or West Richland. Also, Richland will bore you to death.

Larry Hebert has a couple of rentals, at Hanford. He has one that is completely furnished including cable, for 225.00 a week. His number is 509-374-0377.

Try www.tri-cityhearald.com this the local newspaper.

Timbers Apartments at 1900 Stevens Drive. Their apartments start at about $400 per month. I have been relatively happy here, some children and dogs but lots of places are like that. It is 26 miles to the 200 area from here which is about as close as you can get. One thing about Richland, there seems to be a 20 day notification for move out.

Rennhack · « **Reply #1 on:** Jan 28, 2003, 07:17 »

Talk About: Hanford

Rennhack · « **Reply #2 on:** Jan 28, 2003, 07:21 »

Please reply to this topic if you have (or know who has) a contract at this facility. If you (they) have multiple contracts (i.e. QC & NDE) please mention all of them. Also, please remember to post company contact information, including but not limited to company phone number, email and web site address. Also, if there is a specific person at the company people should ask for, you should mention their name and extension. We maintain a chart of contracts, the information posted here will be added to the contract chart.

This includes any information on Local Unions!
Chart: http://www.nukeworker.com/jobs/contract_lists

Rennhack · « **Reply #3 on:** Jan 28, 2003, 07:26 »

Don't forget to vote. Keep your comments civil.

stvyoung · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 05, 2003, 04:31 »

One of the companies that provides QA/QC personnel on contract is Management Strategies Inc. The individual is Dave Samples and his email is dlsamples@strategiesinc.com.

YungTech · « **Reply #5 on:** Aug 04, 2003, 07:21 »

Ahhh the Lazy H wonderful place

wolf459 · « **Reply #6 on:** Aug 04, 2003, 07:07 »

Quote

Ahhh the Lazy H wonderful place

You must work on the Flour side. [smiley=zzwhip.gif]

YungTech · « **Reply #7 on:** Aug 05, 2003, 06:38 »

Nope, on the Rechtel side

Normguy · « **Reply #8 on:** Oct 01, 2003, 03:33 »

Hanford was a decent place to work 93-97, the money is good and enough techs to spread the work around ..Nobody is overworked at Hanford.

UncaBuffalo · « **Reply #9 on:** Oct 01, 2003, 06:28 »

Quote

Keep your comments civil.

I can NOT comment on Hanford if I have to keep it civil...but I will say it's the only job I've ever had where I was glad to get food poisoning so I didn't have to go to work.

Martianman · « **Reply #10 on:** Oct 02, 2003, 08:35 »

Liked the people I worked with....came back home to Tennessee to be with my family. Okay, so now I'm ready to go back. Got a real soft spot for Rattlesnake Hill (Mountain...yeah right!)and the desert. Plus, who can't enjoy wind blowing dust at 800 mph into your face while surveying? [smiley=uhh.gif] [smiley=uhh.gif]

tmp21849 · « **Reply #11 on:** Oct 02, 2003, 11:04 »

Hanford: Solving today's problems with yesterday's technology, tomorrow.

Camella Black · « **Reply #12 on:** Apr 08, 2004, 05:41 »

If anyone has a favorite hang out, place to shop, or local information for this area please post it here.

tmp21849 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2004, 06:54 »

To start with, the Columbia valley is full of winerys.
Some excellent vintages if one takes the time to look.
There are also a few brew pubs and one micro brewery, Ice Harbor Brewery by name. The best IPA I've ever tried.
The Cascade mountain range is a short ( 3 hour) drive. Lots of great little towns to check and the scenery is breath taking! Another hour has you in Seattle with more to do there than you can shake a stick at. Check any of the on line discounters for weekend hotel rates from one star all the way to five star accomodations.
Been here 5 years now and really enjoy the area.

ramdog_1 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 16, 2004, 12:08 »

the burbank tavern

futrknight · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2004, 12:59 »

Hanford is a very interesting place to work if you like chaos.

At this time it is a union site. There are many different facilities and projects types available to work.

The site is going from final stabalization to full scale D&D. As the main contract companies cannot hire enough technicians in house they are starting to bring in road contract techs and supervisors that are now supervising the "house Techs".

It is very much the same as they did at Rocky flats from what I have heard from some of the house techs who have come to work here from that site.

In the next 1.5 years the site faces a few things that could really make life here interesting. The long standing union contract the Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Commission has had with the main management companies is going to expire, the main management contract is up for rebid and the RCT Union contract as well as the other craft union contracts are all coming up for renegotiation.

With the excelerated cleanup instituted in 2001 those who have been here for 3 generations have found the uncertainty for the future to be a bit unsettling. Those of us road techs who came here for some stability have also found the ground a bit soft of late.

I have had to remind myself of the old saying, I was looking for a job when I found this one, to get my bvearings again. Back to the old way I guess.

This site also has a very large disadvantage. To get to work you have to drive anywhere from 1-1.5 hours over very desolate roads once you get out of Richland. Any of you who may have worked at Energy Northwest for outages has seen some of that.

Another issue is the fact that they work some very strange shifts.

The standard shift here is what they call an 8X9 shift. You work Monday through Thursday 9.5 hour days (no pay for Lunch) and every other Friday off. The Friday you work is 8.5 hours. You only put 4 hours of that on your time card and the other caries to your short time week.

Shifts are as follows.

P/Q 8X9 - Same as above but you rotate from Days one week to Swings the next.

ABCD - 12 hour rotaions with a day/night switch from one week to the next.

XYZ 5X8 - Day/Swing/Graves rotation from one week to the next.

There are 4X10 but this is not a recognized shift so only groups that can get the management on board and the union to aprove it get to work that one.

Benefits are not as good here as they are at other sites and the pay is quickly becoming, as I see from some of the contract offers on the various job boards, lower than the market. Especially when you factor in the cost of living and the local economy/ costs of transpotation to site and back. (Keep in mind, about the benefits & wages, I am speaking from the House/Union view) I do not know what the contract companies are offering.

Hope this helps.

Dan_E. · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2004, 01:12 »

Neither house/union or contractor employers can fill their quota for techs. So if you don't like one you can always try the other.
It still beats the road for 3 or 4 weeks at a stretch and back on the road again for some of us.

RAD-GHOST · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2004, 02:09 »

Amen Brother!

I'm sure at it's worst, it couldn't come close to the outages business of today! At least there seems to be some structure to the opportunities. Outages are a hit and miss thing, maybe you'll be there for a week, two, three or four! Maybe they'll have the layoff slip waiting for you when you arrive! With the new way of doing the outage business, your lucky to see a realistic take home of $10 and hour! Do yourself a favor, sock in and take that money!

cef · « **Reply #18 on:** Jun 01, 2004, 07:30 »

Having been here at Hanford as a contactor working in the union for 8 Weeks its time to find somthing else.
Some info for others.
You will have to get your results back from your Pee test before you have the opertunity to take The DOE core test. You have to pass their core test, no others are eccepted. After you pass the core you can start getting paid.
OH! did I mention you only have one chance at the core. You have to make an 80 or you are still un employed and in Hanford.
The supervision I came in contact with was very good to work with.
The money for 40 hours is good.
All overtime is offered to the house techs first and they will go through the over time list as many times as it takes to make sure a road tech doesn't get the over time.
The 12 hour roating shift does not get pay for holidays unless you work that shift on the day of the holiday. I lost Memorial day.
As stated by others it's at least 1 hour each way of your time and gas.
Why am I leaving? I was recruited on the primiss of 10 to 20 hours a week overtime.
And it is not availeable due to the house techs drinking the well dry.
Would I come this far to work agine.
Heck Ya. I like it here.
But the money has to be here.
Have Trailer Will Travel!
FOR OT & DEIUM
Florida Boy

RAD-GHOST · « **Reply #19 on:** Jun 02, 2004, 04:36 »

Sounds like it pretty much panned out like I thought it would. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow must be a little further west. From what I have been reading on the web, they pretty much staffed for a job that may not happen! The early bail out may be in your favor. If your looking for some quick change, try Badcocks Services. They have a gig going in Texas for a few months and are looking for a couple of techs. Some OT and Diem! It will also get you half way home on travel! Have a Great One!

ramdog_1 · « **Reply #20 on:** Jun 18, 2004, 01:17 »

can not misss them
one in pasco, and there is another right outside of columbia center on the highway.
the one in pasco is on the way to richland up past road 68.
then there is one in columbia park as will

Mike_Koehler · « **Reply #21 on:** Jun 23, 2004, 11:21 »

Unfortunately due to the vitrification plant construction most of the better RV spots are taken by construction folks... There is also another new RV park just outside West Richland headed toward Benton City. Be aware that with boat races coming, RV spots in Tri-Cities get scarce. If you can't find one in town try Benton City, Prosser, Sunnyside at least until the insanity that is July Dies down. I would be happy to chat on the phone with anyone who needs a little help finding their way. E-mail me here and I'll send phone #.

studmeistersreveng · « **Reply #22 on:** Nov 30, 2004, 02:26 »

Just some FYI about Hanford. If you are thinking about coming to Hanford the top rate for a Senior HPT is $28.97 an hour. Do not let them offer you less. Human Resources out here will try to offer you a step below the top rate, and tell you that you have to be here six months and pass the oral board before you can top out. This isn't true! You have to pass your oral board within 6 months of being hired on, regardless of what you are getting paid. It has no reflection on your pay rate, so make sure you are getting top pay to start with. If you are out here as a contractor and already a member of the union and thinking about switching over to house, you will get paid comprable to what you are making as a contractor. To get top pay switching over from contractor to house it might actually be best to leave the plant for a couple of weeks and then come back in at top rate as house. You will lose credit for your time at the plant, but will receive top pay. They need techs out here and it is a good place to work. Just watch yourself because the Human Resouces department likes to play games.

tff986s · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 22, 2004, 01:39 »

tight for employment cuz of the state passing a silly law trying to limit waste movements... it is back to federal law court now... [I-297 law]

Dan_E. · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 23, 2004, 01:53 »

Quote from: tff986s on Dec 22, 2004, 01:39

tight for employment cuz of the state passing a silly law trying to limit waste movements... it is back to federal law court now... [I-297 law]

The Eberline (Bechtel) side of Hanford is always looking for techs.

tff986s · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 28, 2004, 12:16 »

tis true, check with delia fisher at erc..they are a good gig for a bit, $29/hr, etc.. lots of outdoor work tho...

Rennhack · « **Reply #26 on:** Mar 28, 2005, 10:35 »

Well, here is the gossip I've heard...

SEC had won the bid, but due to protests, The FFTF contract is out for re-bid to the 5 finalists from last time. This is standard at the Hanford site, it happened in 2003 to the folks that just won the River Corridor contract

(In 2002, Washington Group teamed with Fluor Federal Services and Earth Tech to submit what was named the winning bid in 2003. That bid was successfully challenged by the contractors that have since teamed up with Washington Group -- Bechtel National and CH2M Hill -- to win the contract Wednesday. )

Department of Energy Awards Hanford River Corridor Contract To Washington Closure, LLC (CH2MHill Washington group) Which usually uses Bartlett as their HP contractor.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2005/2005-03-25-091.asp

"Responsibilities added to the new contract include work to clean up the 400 Area where Hanford's research reactor, the Fast Flux Test Facility, operated. However, it does not include FFTF, which DOE plans to have shut down by the winner of a small-business contract. "

tonyestes · « **Reply #27 on:** Apr 01, 2005, 05:47 »

My name is Tony. I am thinking about doing a tech report on Hanford. Could anyone please steer me in the right direction for resources? Thanks!!!

jocro · « **Reply #28 on:** Apr 13, 2005, 05:39 »

Radiological Planning (Support Health Physicists) contract work is provided by BNL Technical Services, and currently has a few openings. Bartlett supplies a bunch of HPTs.

futrknight · « **Reply #29 on:** Jul 07, 2005, 04:44 »

In the middle of lay offs of all types....even RCT's. Nothing stable here until late 2006 if then even...contract changes going on.

incrediblehulk · « **Reply #30 on:** Oct 03, 2005, 04:19 »

Thought I'd ring in on the topic of Hanford, since I'm currently in a laid-off state from there. The big news at the moment is lay-offs at the Prime Contractor level. All of us sub-contractors ( I'm in the Tank Farm area) were laid off in July due to lack of funds in the budget. There were rumors that further lay-offs in the Prime Contractors might follow. Sure enough, last Friday the word came out that CH2MHill would be laying off 300 employees. As far as I know, these are not union positions, but I can't confirm that.
That having been said, I'd still go back there. Yes, it can be a long drive, but if you live in the north part of Richland, most of the site is within 45 minutes. The pay is good and the work isn't exactly taxing. There is the normal "DOE Frustration" for commercial techs, but all - in - all, the money and the good people make it a worthwhile venture.

Dan_E. · « **Reply #31 on:** Oct 03, 2005, 11:39 »

Hanford gave notice to 14 house techs as of today.
May be a while before they get back into the hiring mode again.
I was sorry to see the Bartlett techs go last week, and sorry for all of those given notice today.

duke99301 · « **Reply #32 on:** Oct 04, 2005, 04:05 »

I spent 11 years there as a NPO working in a lot of different areas 200 east and west good place to be in the old days.
B plant 234-5Z plant

T plant and the tank farms.
lot of storys from back then .good place.

illegalsmile · « **Reply #33 on:** Aug 06, 2006, 07:50 »

I received an offer from Eberline. The money and the bennies look good but what's the story on longevity? They don't pay diem or relocation so I don't want to go out there unless it's going to be for a looooooonnnnnnnnngggggg term gig.

Dan_E. · « **Reply #34 on:** Aug 06, 2006, 12:44 »

As far as I know ESHI is only hiring for permanent positions right now, that would explain the absence of per diem. Just a guess on my part. I believe it takes 2 years of employment before they forgive the relocation fees they pay for.

illegalsmile · « **Reply #35 on:** Aug 06, 2006, 01:23 »

oh yeah, they're saying permanent, but I'm hearing talk that it's winding down and a lot of jobs will go away in a couple of years

Dan_E. · « **Reply #36 on:** Aug 07, 2006, 10:16 »

illegalsmile
I first worked at Hanford as a construction worker in 1980 and daily there were jobs postponed due to a lack of tech support. I am now a tech and nothing has changed.

jshiley · « **Reply #37 on:** Aug 10, 2006, 05:16 »

Quote from: illegalsmile on Aug 06, 2006, 07:50

I received an offer from Eberline. The money and the bennies look good but what's the story on longevity? They don't pay diem or relocation so I don't want to go out there unless it's going to be for a looooooonnnnnnnnngggggg term gig.

I'm with Eberline at Hanford as an Industrial Hygiene Technician. We just had a division picnic where they detailed the good old "Path Forward". At best (longevity wise), there will be work with this group until 2013.

Last year,IHTs and RCTs were laid off due to bumping by those laid off by the other contractors. Since it's union, layoffs are based entirely on seniority. This year, we will lose IHTs again, but RCTs are not being laid off from the other contractors and are being hired by WCH / Eberline.

The best I can tell you is that each October you're going to end up looking over your shoulder until you get enough techs under you (seniority wise) to feel safe.

dac · « **Reply #38 on:** Mar 07, 2007, 10:58 »

I came out here in the fall to work at Hanford...I find the Tri-Cities a progressive area...There are plenty of rentals in the Richland area but most live in Kennewick and Pasco...I live in Benton City more of a country atomsphere.

Many of the techs live as far as Yakima and travel an hour each morning.

If you are coming in for ESHI, thewre will be 6 weeks of training then off to a site (dig or demo). The 4/10 schedule is great (except for Monday). There is a goverment style of management with a great emphasis on safety....

As for me, it is a great alternative to the road, somewhat of a rest area for old road techs....Dave

garcma · « **Reply #39 on:** Jan 21, 2008, 02:48 »

Hey, it's been awhile since anyone posted anything about Hanford.

Specifically, why does it seem that Hanford is having a hard time getting people to go there? Is there something we should know?

Also, any ideas on cost of living? I expect gas/diesel will be expensive because of the driving...

Mike_Koehler · « **Reply #40 on:** Jan 21, 2008, 06:02 »

Been at the lazy H for about 9 years all told........I started with Eberline and worked for Fluor and CH2M Hill before coming to the true retirement home that is Battelle. The cost of living here is as high as I have seen anywhere except for California, DC and Connecticut. Houses are 140's in Benton City to 250's for a reasonable 3 br-2ba house. Rents are 650-2400/mo depending on what you want..... Gas is Currently 3.12/gal for regular unleaded, milk and things that rely on transportation to get here have gone up fast........ There are an average of 300+ sunny days/year here. It is very windy here. This place is a desert, not the rain forest that most people think Washington state is..... It is near some of the prettiest places I have ever been. Last I saw the "list" had about 500 +/- names on it. In addition to Hanford there is Columbia Generating Station (WPPSS), an AREVA fuel fabrication plant, a few service providers, a laundry services company, and a waste "consolidation" facility . I may have left some out. PM me if you have any questions that I can answer.....

frisher · « **Reply #41 on:** Jan 21, 2008, 07:37 »

any jobs for a good deconner

snowman · « **Reply #42 on:** Jan 22, 2008, 09:34 »

Quote from: frisher on Jan 21, 2008, 07:37

any jobs for a good deconner

No, not even for a bad one. They hire laborers out of the local hall to do the manual stuff. They don't really decon things there anyway like you're used to. You can't decon the contamination they have there.

stormgoalie · « **Reply #43 on:** Jan 22, 2008, 10:27 »

Quote from: Mike_Koehler on Jan 21, 2008, 06:02

There are an average of 300+ sunny days/year here. It is very windy here. This place is a desert, not the rain forest that most people think Washington state is..... It is near some of the prettiest places I have ever been.

Ah yes the great days of summer outside on a digsite........ nothing like 100+F, blazing sun, no shade, wind, tumbleweeds,and dust storms to make one homesick. Of course I now live where 4 months out of the year we have wind, COLD, blowing snow, and no sunshine. But hey I work indoors.

Mike, tell the guys hi from me!!

Cheers,
Jim Rodgers
NRRPT
RP Supervisor
Ontario Power Generation
Western Waste Management Facility

snowman · « **Reply #44 on:** Sep 12, 2008, 09:55 »

Any folks out there packing for a new job at Hanford might want to look elsewhere. Major layoffs coming across the board, especially with the outgoing Fluor company. Waste packaging facilities are being shut down, other facilities going down to one shift or cold shutdown. Subcontract HP's got their 2 week notice this week.

House techs and operators are taking a major hit this fall, 40+ each. Everything is in flux out there for a while until they sort out the 4 new major contracts. Lots of nervous folks I hear, both in management and craft. Definitely not the time to be going to Hanford. Words to the wise.

Mike_Koehler · « **Reply #45 on:** Sep 12, 2008, 11:45 »

Quote from: snowman on Sep 12, 2008, 09:55

Major layoffs coming across the board, especially with the outgoing Fluor company. Waste packaging facilities are being shut down, other facilities going down to one shift or cold shutdown.

House techs and operators are taking a major hit this fall, 40+ each. Everything is in flux out there for a while until they sort out the 4 new major contracts. Lots of nervous folks I hear, both in management and craft. Definitely not the time to be going to Hanford. Words to the wise.

Are you far enough up the list? Drop me a line at work and let me know what is happening out there. I have almost lost touch now that I am downtown at Battelle.

Mike

gracer807 · « **Reply #46 on:** Sep 25, 2009, 08:49 »

I am getting ready to start my first job as a rad tech at Hanford and was just curious if the guy pitching the deal to me is telling the truth on the work load. He said that we do as much if not less work than what a Navy ELT did in the military.

UncaBuffalo · « **Reply #47 on:** Sep 28, 2009, 05:56 »

Quote from: gracer807 on Sep 25, 2009, 08:49

I am getting ready to start my first job as a rad tech at Hanford and was just curious if the guy pitching the deal to me is telling the truth on the work load. He said that we do as much if not less work than what a Navy ELT did in the military.

My Hanford experience is from 12 years ago, but...

We would often come in Monday morning with 15 minutes worth of work to complete...and go home Friday with the same 15 minutes work still on our plates.

Hanford had so many layers of SILLY rules (as well as a few good ones) that it was nearly impossible to keep work flowing.

Plan on working less than you did in the Navy. Maybe you will get lucky and be able to keep yourself busy, but...

stormgoalie · « **Reply #48 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 02:15 »

Quote from: UncaBuffalo on Sep 28, 2009, 05:56

My Hanford experience is from 12 years ago, but...

We would often come in Monday morning with 15 minutes worth of work to complete...and go home Friday with the same 15 minutes work still on our plates.

Hanford had so many layers of SILLY rules (as well as a few good ones) that it was nearly impossible to keep work flowing.

Plan on working less than you did in the Navy. Maybe you will get lucky and be able to keep yourself busy, but...

Ditto on the Hanford time frame, started in 96 left in 01, and +1 on the silly rules. Some made perfect sense, but others left you scratching your head. My favorite line from a manager was when he was asked about the constant revision to work instructions "The large number of revisions means that the document is a living one". This was after Rev 26 to a work instruction that was less than a year old!! I bit back the retort, so after 25 tries you still have it wrong?

?? Gotta love the Lazy H Ranch

milo124 · « **Reply #49 on:** Sep 30, 2009, 03:35 »

Do "silly rules" and "Hanfordized" mean the same thing?

105KW · « **Reply #50 on:** Sep 30, 2009, 05:37 »

Quote from: gracer807 on Sep 25, 2009, 08:49

I am getting ready to start my first job as a rad tech at Hanford and was just curious if the guy pitching the deal to me is telling the truth on the work load. He said that we do as much if not less work than what a Navy ELT did in the military.

It really depends on where at Hanford you land. Hanford is large with multiple work groups. Some of us stay pretty busy

in the Tank Farms, while others are more relaxed

Where ever you end up welcome..You are in for a treat ( snicker snicker )

stormgoalie · « **Reply #51 on:** Oct 01, 2009, 01:28 »

Quote from: 105KW on Sep 30, 2009, 05:37

It really depends on where at Hanford you land. Hanford is large with multiple work groups. Some of us stay pretty busy in the Tank Farms, while others are more relaxed

Where ever you end up welcome..You are in for a treat ( snicker snicker )

True enough! When I worked at N-Reactor doing decommisioning we were busy most of the time. When I was with IFS&M, boring most of time, but busy on occasion.

drewdeezy · « **Reply #52 on:** Jan 04, 2010, 12:53 »

I cannot comment on the site, since I do not work out there. I can comment on the area though as I have lived here all my life.

Richland uptown is a cool place to hangout, not far from the plant. There are a few pubs, notibly Town Crier and the Uptown bar and grill. Most of the good food you will find in Kennewick. Any apartments/houses located off/around Queensgate, Gage Blvd, Steptoe, Hwy 240 are a good bet. Give you direct connect to freeway. Nice thing about Richland/Kennewick is there aint much traffic in this city.

Housing that was mentioned in the first post is great. Washington square apt's are a great place to live, I have lived at them in the past. You really cant beat it. We also have an EXCELLENT van pool system setup for working out in the area. car dropoff/pickup at quite a few set locations. Price is pretty cheap for vanpooling too. Expect to drive 45minutes plus somedays to get out to the job site. (information from brother in law who is an RCT)

Any other questions about lodging at a certain place or what to do in town, feel free to ask away

Atomic_Punk · « **Reply #53 on:** Jan 06, 2010, 07:34 »

After the Hanford stimulous money hiring, apartments in the area right now at about 98%, so they're not easy to find.

Rad Honey · « **Reply #54 on:** Jan 11, 2010, 06:46 »

The site has golden handcuffs. Everyone wants to work here so they can make tons of money. When this place goes away there won't be any reason to live here. There houses are expensive, they think what they have is gold. The taxes on gas, smokes, booze is out of control. If you like hunting, fishing and camping, eating at the finest Mac Donald's, you belong here. Not seeing the sun for four to five months in the winter is just great, but they do have mild winters, ha, the wind will kill you.
No culture at all, the dress is jeans and a t shirt for anything. Just here for the money.

roadhp · « **Reply #55 on:** Dec 01, 2010, 02:02 »

Have been working out here with El-Camino/Bartlett since May. No real problems so far, except for the usual Union/subcontractor problems (the Union requires us to be in the union and pay dues, but exempt us from any real benefits except for union scale, which is already required by Davis Bacon). However, today we found out that when the facility closes for inclement weather, the regular people get paid. But the Union, when they made the Memorandum of Agreement with WRPS, who is the prime contractor, to bring us in, made sure that we didn't get paid for those times when we are sent home or are either late start or the facility is closed all day. To top it all, since we didn't get "paid" for those hours missed, we also do not get the associated per Diem, according to Bartlett/El Camino's formula. The only way we can get per Diem is to take basically paid vacation for those days and hours so that we make at least 35 hours for the week. Don't get me wrong, the pay is outstanding, and the fact that we do get PTO has been a bonus, but the other things that they don't tell you when you come out here are building up to critical mass. Those things include:

1. You work for Bartlett/El Camino, but you don't. It is a co-employment situation, with WRPS paying your wages, taking out taxes, pays for holidays, and that is who your time sheet is with. Bartlett/El Camino (and DeNuke is the other contract company) pays you your per Diem and Health and Welfare, and takes out your Insurance if you have it. They also pay you your Paid Time Off.

2. You have to belong to the union. Washington State is a closed shop. But you get no benefits from being in the union. All of those are reserved for regular union employees. You are also not even on the overtime list until they have exhausted every other person in all 4 of their overtime lists, even if they don't work in your area.

3. If you work for Bartlett, you may not still be working for Bartlett when you show up, you may be working for El Camino. A certain number of people have to work for El Camino since they are the 8A company and basically subcontract out to Bartlett, but they have to have a certain percentage actually working for them. Pro - your per Diem is direct deposited. Con - if you have insurance with Bartlett you have to keep it under Cobra since El Camino doesn't offer it. This is OK so long as the Cobra is at the reduced rate, but if it ever goes up to full Cobra it will hurt.

4. Also as a part of the co-employment issue, you are not offered 401.k withholding for your regular salary. Your health and welfare is still under 401.k, but not your wages.

5. Bonuses were promised, and the first one was delivered at the 90 day point, but when we asked about the end of project bonus, were told that didn't exist and we weren't promised it.

Still working here because the pay is still great, just frustrating weeding through all the web of who we actually work for, who pays us and what the details are. Just thought people should know if they want to come out here to the tank farms.

patriotsailor01 · « **Reply #56 on:** Dec 01, 2010, 10:23 »

I took a position as a contract rct at hanford and after getting here found out I had to be in the union and was paid by the same company that pays the house techs. Ok, fine, wasn't happy about it but not worth leaving over. The last couple weeks we have been having bad weather and the site has been shut down for a total of 8 hours. Because of the agreement between the union and the company house techs get paid for that time, however contract techs don't. I really don't understand how this can be, we are employed by the same company, at the same site, doing the same job, in the same union, paying the same dues, and are represented differently? I could understand if nobody got paid or if we weren't in the union but it's simply unequal representation. I'm wondering if anybody has dealt with this or who I could file a complaint with.

retread · « **Reply #57 on:** Dec 01, 2010, 10:39 »

I'm at the Lazy H also. At first, I thought it was unfair to not pay us for the site being shut down. I was told it was part of the contract my employer and CH2MHILL had prior to my employment. However, if I wanted house tech bennies, I would have become house after they offered the position. Losing a few hours pay isn't worth drawing a line in the sand for me. We're making some pretty good money and at the Lazy H, I'm definitely not killing myself for the pay!

roadhp · « **Reply #58 on:** Dec 02, 2010, 12:56 »

What if the site gets a freak blizzard next week? We don't get paid AND we don't get per Diem. Plus, I don't care what agreement the company has with the contract company, they have a contract with the union, and the procedure says we should get paid. This is just some pennypincher trying to save the company a little cash at our expense on a company that made a profit of millions of dollars and paid house people (every one) over $3K in bonus (that we also didn't get because the union sold out).

snowman · « **Reply #59 on:** Dec 02, 2010, 09:46 »

You're not going to get a shoulder to cry on here. The rental techs at Hanford are making close to $100 grand a year and that's without overtime, which most of them that have wanted to have worked aplenty. There are contract HP's at Hanford who will make $150K there this year. This is by far one of the all time best contract jobs in the history of rent-a teching. Period, end of the story. There are folks coming out of the woodwork to get into that place.

It's a big site and not every company and for that matter facility plays by the same rules. They also shut down outside operations in high winds and contract HP's aren't sent home for that though they could be. As far as the bonus goes, the permanent HP's at Hanford also receive matching 401K, bereavement pay, tuition reimbursement, medical/dental, paid vacation and holidays, and a pension plan. It's called a house job. If you want all the perks of a permanent job give up the per diem and go house. Contract HP's got it pretty good there.

Sun Dog · « **Reply #60 on:** Dec 02, 2010, 10:18 »

Quote from: snowman on Dec 02, 2010, 09:46

You're not going to get a shoulder to cry on here. The rental techs at Hanford are making close to $100 grand a year and that's without overtime, which most of them that have wanted to have worked aplenty. There are contract HP's at Hanford who will make $150K there this year. This is by far one of the all time best contract jobs in the history of rent-a teching. Period, end of the story. There are folks coming out of the woodwork to get into that place.

It's a big site and not every company and for that matter facility plays by the same rules. They also shut down outside operations in high winds and contract HP's aren't sent home for that though they could be. As far as the bonus goes, the permanent HP's at Hanford also receive matching 401K, bereavement pay, tuition reimbursement, medical/dental, paid vacation and holidays, and a pension plan. It's called a house job. If you want all the perks of a permanent job give up the per diem and go house. Contract HP's got it pretty good there.

Excellent points! $150K/year to survey dirt and they still find a reason to whine.

Smart People · « **Reply #61 on:** Dec 02, 2010, 11:32 »

It's either too hot, too cold or too balmy

61 nomad · « **Reply #62 on:** Dec 02, 2010, 08:37 »

I'm in the same boat you're in here at Hanford. On page 55 of the contract is says that subs get paid for facility closure days (holidays I guess?) but am not sure why we dont get paid for other closure days. In defense of the union, where else have you worked where the union requires that subcontractors get the same hourly wage as house techs? Wouldn't THAT be nice at power plants?!

retired nuke · « **Reply #63 on:** Dec 02, 2010, 08:45 »

Quote from: 61 nomad on Dec 02, 2010, 08:37

In defense of the union, where else have you worked where the union requires that subcontractors get the same hourly wage as house techs? Wouldn't THAT be nice at power plants?!

Rocky Flats - but that was DOE also.

Thank god they didn't make the contractor supv make the same pay as house... I made almost $10/hr more.... and got OT...

roadhp · « **Reply #64 on:** Dec 03, 2010, 08:16 »

Quote from: 61 nomad on Dec 02, 2010, 08:37

I'm in the same boat you're in here at Hanford. On page 55 of the contract is says that subs get paid for facility closure days (holidays I guess?) but am not sure why we dont get paid for other closure days. In defense of the union, where else have you worked where the union requires that subcontractors get the same hourly wage as house techs? Wouldn't THAT be nice at power plants?!

It's called the Davis-Bacon act, and at DOE the union has no choice, the company must pay the prevailing wage.

As far as the pay goes, sure we are making good money, but I would like to work at least 40 hours/week and get all of my per Diem for the week. The bills don't stop, and I didn't travel 2500 miles away from home to not work the hours I was promised. As far as OT, we are at the bottom of the barrel and it is few and far between.

Sun Dog · « **Reply #65 on:** Dec 03, 2010, 08:27 »

Quote from: roadhp on Dec 03, 2010, 08:16

It's called the Davis-Bacon act, and at DOE the union has no choice, the company must pay the prevailing wage.

As far as the pay goes, sure we are making good money, but I would like to work at least 40 hours/week and get all of my per Diem for the week. The bills don't stop, and I didn't travel 2500 miles away from home to not work the hours I was promised. As far as OT, we are at the bottom of the barrel and it is few and far between.

Why don't you go house? Or quit? Or go on strike? Or suck it up and be grateful you make more money than 99+% of the people on the planet for surveying dirt?

patriotsailor01 · « **Reply #66 on:** Dec 03, 2010, 09:31 »

Nomad,

Thank you for the info about the contract, that was what I was hoping to find out.

As for everyone else that says we are "whining" or "complaining", the fact remains that we pay union dues to the same union that house techs are in but are unequally represented for doing the same job. Either let us out of the union (which most of us would be fine with) or represent us equally. By the fact that you are an rct I am sure you are smart enough to understand our frustration on this. Another poster was right in that you can post on here forever and it won't change anything. That was why I simply asked for some information from people that had dealt wiith this in the past.

retread · « **Reply #67 on:** Dec 03, 2010, 01:21 »

When I was first hired on here, I was given the union booklet. If I remember correctly, we fall under "temporary" employment status. They made us the exception to the rule as "temporary" is, I believe, six months or less of employment. Temporary union members are not entitled to the same benefits as the house people. We also don't get their insurance, retirement and 401K benefits. It is also my understanding the weather we've experienced in these last few weeks is a once in a generation occurrence. I sure didn't complain when work was shut down due to high winds and we were playing cards in the trailer and getting paid for it. I won't complain because I lose five or six hours of pay in a year!

Sun Dog · « **Reply #68 on:** Dec 04, 2010, 08:41 »

Quote from: patriotsailor01 on Dec 01, 2010, 10:23

I'm wondering if anybody has dealt with this or who I could file a complaint with.

File your complaint with the person who forced you to accept a job without first understanding the working arrangement and pay structure. You should also file a complaint with the person who is forcing you to stay and endure such brutal and unfair work practices. Let us know how it works out.

hamsamich · « **Reply #69 on:** Dec 04, 2010, 10:34 »

You know, everybody is making fun of these people at Hanford for complaining about money and work they were told they were going to receive. I don't care how much $$$$ per hour I'm making or how easy the work is. If I was told to come to a place hundreds or thousands of miles away and that I would be working 40s and it didn't happen for whatever reason...I'd be mad too. Yeah, maybe it is only a couple of hours this week, but what about next week? The precedent has been set, is it going to happen more on down the road at this place? I'm glad to know this is going on, Hanford was one of those places I might have considered going; now it has dropped a couple rungs on my ladder of desire. And, going house should have nothing to do with a basic promise of work conditions. Sure people that are house get vaca, holiday pay and insurance, but you don't get to tell me initially I'll be working 40s and getting diem and expect me to stay very long after telling me to go house and I'll get my 40s. Bait and switch. When I show up at a place and I get treated like that it is now a reason to leave whenever I please since one party has already blown their end of the deal....

liam · « **Reply #70 on:** Dec 04, 2010, 11:14 »

Okay, I can’t keep my fingers off the keyboard anymore. I have been working at Hanford since August and I have enjoyed every minute. The people I work with have treated me with respect and as an equal. Am I rankled about not receiving pay for a few hours when the facility closed due to inclement weather?

The answer is yes and no. The idea of paying union dues and not getting the same treatment as house techs does at first appearance seen unfair. However, I am paid the same hourly wage as house techs and I get double time on occasion. Moreover, I get per diem! The facility closed early a couple of times for bad weather. It also opened late for the same reason. I am thankful that the management worries about safety enough to close down and get the people home before it is impossible to travel. I am not going to complain about a few hours lost wages for time I did not work when I am getting enough overtime to compensate. Besides, I think my safety trumps a few hours of pay.

I have worked at power plants that treated contractors as pariahs and second-class scumbags. Here at Hanford I was welcomed into the group I was assigned; after three months I can truthfully say the people I work with seem like family. The power plants were like families too, only dysfunctional to the nth degree.

So I look the Hanford gift horse in the mouth and see one little cavity. That is not enough for me to want to stir the pot and get thrown off the horse.

gonzo_4362 · « **Reply #71 on:** Dec 05, 2010, 02:31 »

Can anyone tell me how I can go about joining the Union?

105KW · « **Reply #72 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 12:50 »

Quote from: patriotsailor01 on Dec 03, 2010, 09:31

Nomad,

Thank you for the info about the contract, that was what I was hoping to find out.

As for everyone else that says we are "whining" or "complaining", the fact remains that we pay union dues to the same union that house techs are in but are unequally represented for doing the same job. Either let us out of the union (which most of us would be fine with) or represent us equally. By the fact that you are an RCT I am sure you are smart enough to understand our frustration on this. Another poster was right in that you can post on here forever and it won't change anything. That was why I simply asked for some information from people that had dealt wiith this in the past.

Patriot,

You can always go agency fee. You don't HAVE to belong to the Union, but you still are going to pay a "'fee". The fact of the matter is you were hired under a Memorandum of understanding ( MOU ) that sets up your employment outside of the contract. That is just the way it is and will not change. Different contractors at Hanford have different MOU's. Overtime at Hanford is given out by overtime group. There are groups were the house techs see little if any overtime. You have the misfortune of being in a OT group that has limited overtime for the amount of techs. There are other groups that the roadies are making a tidy sum in overtime this year. You might try and work your way over there .Understand there are are 785 techs on site ( not including PNNL ) and everyone one would like to have more overtime. :-).

Just keep soaking up the free money and enjoy it while it last.

105KW

105KW · « **Reply #73 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 12:57 »

Quote from: gonzo_4362 on Dec 05, 2010, 02:31

Can anyone tell me how I can go about joining the Union?

At Hanford you join WHEN you get hired.

snowman · « **Reply #74 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 03:08 »

Quote from: hamsamich on Dec 04, 2010, 10:34

You know, everybody is making fun of these people at Hanford for complaining about money and work they were told they were going to receive. I don't care how much $$$$ per hour I'm making or how easy the work is. If I was told to come to a place hundreds or thousands of miles away and that I would be working 40s and it didn't happen for whatever reason...I'd be mad too. Yeah, maybe it is only a couple of hours this week, but what about next week? The precedent has been set, is it going to happen more on down the road at this place? I'm glad to know this is going on, Hanford was one of those places I might have considered going; now it has dropped a couple rungs on my ladder of desire. And, going house should have nothing to do with a basic promise of work conditions. Sure people that are house get vaca, holiday pay and insurance, but you don't get to tell me initially I'll be working 40s and getting diem and expect me to stay very long after telling me to go house and I'll get my 40s. Bait and switch. When I show up at a place and I get treated like that it is now a reason to leave whenever I please since one party has already blown their end of the deal....

There's no bait and switch going on at Hanford, Ham Sandwich. Allow me to re-cap. There are times on that site that due to weather conditions beyond anyone's control that the powers that be elect to send "non-essential" people home early, have them come in a few hours late in the morning, or both. It's as simple as that. There's no conspiracy here with rent-a-tech HP's going on, every sub-contractor on that site that sends people home early has the option to not pay their employees for early release or delayed start. Some do, some don't. And we're talking about thousands of people, not just the 75-80 rental Hp's currently working at Hanford. It sounds like you folks just happen to work for people who won't pay you for hours not on site, and who sometimes play games with your per diem. Sorry.

Besides, this is all going to be a mute point here in a very short time because the rug is about to be pulled on this place and all the other DOE sites that received Obama bucks...it's coming to an end. The money is already gone at several of these sites.

devildog · « **Reply #75 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 06:09 »

OMG, I am reading this topic and I have to laugh. Life is about choices if you think your getting screwed then find another gravy job that will pay you 35 an hour 100 a day to frisk dirt ,with no dose. Unless your one of the many who were working at walmart or as a jr. on the road until the lazy H gave you a job as a RCT and gave you senior pay. Yes the man wants you to come to Hanford and the man wants to send you home without pay. Give me a break. If you think this, you need to find another job .

Guys like you give the rest of Hanford a bad name.

Sun Dog · « **Reply #76 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 06:42 »

Quote from: roadhp on Dec 02, 2010, 12:56

What if the site gets a freak blizzard next week? We don't get paid AND we don't get per Diem. Plus, I don't care what agreement the company has with the contract company, they have a contract with the union, and the procedure says we should get paid. This is just some pennypincher trying to save the company a little cash at our expense on a company that made a profit of millions of dollars and paid house people (every one) over $3K in bonus (that we also didn't get because the union sold out).

Will the Electrician get paid if she is snowed out? Will the crane operator get paid if he is sent home because it is too windy to safely operate outside? Will the carpenter crew get paid if they are sent home because of a blast of Canadian air made that scaffold too icy to tear down safely?

Whine on you crazy diamond...

shiftman · « **Reply #77 on:** Dec 27, 2010, 08:39 »

Quote from: roadhp on Dec 03, 2010, 08:16

It's called the Davis-Bacon act, and at DOE the union has no choice, the company must pay the prevailing wage.

Technically, it is the Service Contract Act not DBA. DBA applies only to new construction or demolition, remediationactivities that directly result in new construction. Also, it isn't applicable if the work is covered under a CBA.

PGDP (Paducah, KY) put one group of environmental remediation RCT's in their union (USW) in 2006. They were subcontractors of Denuke that were simply absorbed by the prime contractor after the NLRB certified their organizing election. Their CBA limited future sub RCT's to four months of work with the sub and were not recognized members of the union. The fact that some type of MOA/MOU allows some benefit to sub RCT's at Hanford is actually a plus in my experience.

Keep in mind that the multi-union set-up at Handford is a complicated mess at times.

retread · « **Reply #78 on:** Dec 27, 2010, 09:25 »

Quote from: roadhp on Dec 03, 2010, 08:16

It's called the Davis-Bacon act, and at DOE the union has no choice, the company must pay the prevailing wage.

As far as the pay goes, sure we are making good money, but I would like to work at least 40 hours/week and get all of my per Diem for the week. The bills don't stop, and I didn't travel 2500 miles away from home to not work the hours I was promised. As far as OT, we are at the bottom of the barrel and it is few and far between.

Apologize for the late reply. I just talked with the union steward. He stated the union didn't have an agreement with CH2MHILL. CH2M is paying for shutdown pay as a way to keep house employees happy. Do you really believe the company did a snow dance to shut everything down, which had to cost amazing amount of dollars to save a few thousand?! I'm still amazed at the amount of money I can make with a limited college experience. I am thoroughly grateful for the life I've been able to live. I see arguments in the NFL and can't possibly fathsome

pringles can · « **Reply #79 on:** Jan 06, 2011, 01:33 »

I find it amazing that people, many o whom would not be able to hold a job at McDonalds, find reason to complain when they are making $100,000 plus a year to play cards for 4 hours a day. You should count your blessings and act like adults.

tolstoy · « **Reply #80 on:** Jan 06, 2011, 02:08 »

Quote from: pringles can on Jan 06, 2011, 01:33

I find it amazing that people, many o whom would not be able to hold a job at McDonalds, find reason to complain when they are making $100,000 plus a year to play cards for 4 hours a day. You should count your blessings and act like adults.

I've worked with quite a few good folks here and am pretty sure most could hold their own at McDonalds. Sorry that you appear so crabby.

nukewood · « **Reply #81 on:** Jan 06, 2011, 04:31 »

I too work here with a very competent group who "played their cards right" to take a job here.We count our blessings everyday whether or not we get paid snow days. Mcdonalds woudn't match the pay,by the way.

pringles can · « **Reply #82 on:** Jan 06, 2011, 05:56 »

I too work with many competant and good people. There is, however, another half of my coworkers who dont care, take every opportunity to complain or get out of work, and then hide behind the union. Coming from where I do, I apprectiate that this job allows us to live a fairly comfortable life, but it does get old watching the same people day in and day out do nothing and collect the same amount of money as the rest of us.

105KW · « **Reply #83 on:** Jan 07, 2011, 03:56 »

Quote from: pringles can on Jan 06, 2011, 01:33

I find it amazing that people, many o whom would not be able to hold a job at McDonalds, find reason to complain when they are making $100,000 plus a year to play cards for 4 hours a day. You should count your blessings and act like adults.

4 hours a day ?? Is that the 8x9's or the 4 x10's shift ? I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick

pringles can · « **Reply #84 on:** Jan 13, 2011, 11:04 »

I know this will fall on deaf ears, but the drive home has turned into a free for all that you may or may not survive. The river road coming from N and K areas is especially crazy. People are passing and weaving in and out at very high speeds. We usually drive about 65-70 and we are passed like we are just sitting there. I understand that half of you have no reason or desire to go home, but I would like to make it there. It is fine with me if you wrap your car around a telephone pole, we could all have a good chuckle as we pass you. But driving like that threatens me and my fellow workers.

moochiebubble · « **Reply #85 on:** Jan 13, 2011, 01:53 »

Amen to that , Pringles Can !!!! There's no reason to drive that way..

tolstoy · « **Reply #86 on:** Jan 13, 2011, 04:35 »

Hey Pringles - when you see my Porsche coming up behind you just pull over and let me by...I'll be out of your way in a red flash.

pringles can · « **Reply #87 on:** Jan 13, 2011, 05:26 »

You have a Porcshe?! Thats cool! Can I be your friend?!

duke99301 · « **Reply #88 on:** Jan 13, 2011, 05:44 »

I can hardly wait for the outage to start ramping up for that mess.

roadhp · « **Reply #89 on:** Jan 13, 2011, 06:15 »

WNP2, since that is the only operating unit. Bartlett has it starting in April, so expect the ramp-up to begin end of February and peak first of April. Already have a couple of friends working there to support.

I agree, the back road is an accident waiting to happen. The road by the tank farms is mostly stop and go, but better that than being forced off the road by the speed demons.

let-it-ride · « **Reply #90 on:** Jan 13, 2011, 06:22 »

Why don't you complain to the security dept or management, or local police? I worked at a site where it was common to get fired if you were driving the way you mentioned. If you say nothing, nothing will happen.

snowman · « **Reply #91 on:** Jan 14, 2011, 09:52 »

Quote from: let-it-ride on Jan 13, 2011, 06:22

Why don't you complain to the security dept or management, or local police? I worked at a site where it was common to get fired if you were driving the way you mentioned. If you say nothing, nothing will happen.

They're the ones passing people.

tagline · « **Reply #92 on:** Jan 16, 2011, 01:29 »

There is one thing for sure at Hanford and the Tri-Cities area in general. They are by far the worse drivers in the world. It is like being in London here. Every other place I have ever been at in the USA the left lane is a passing lane. Here it is a slow driving lane. The vast majority of drivers are in the left lane until they are 25 feet from a right hand lane exit. Then they are coming over to exit no matter who or what is in their way. I can agree about the fast drivers there also. But when it comes down to it: Lead, follow or get out of the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OldHP · « **Reply #93 on:** Jan 16, 2011, 10:50 »

Quote from: tagline on Jan 16, 2011, 01:29

There is one thing for sure at Hanford and the Tri-Cities area in general. They are by far the worse drivers in the world. It is like being in London here. Every other place I have ever been at in the USA the left lane is a passing lane. Here it is a slow driving lane. The vast majority of drivers are in the left lane until they are 25 feet from a right hand lane exit. Then they are coming over to exit no matter who or what is in their way. I can agree about the fast drivers there also. But when it comes down to it: Lead, follow or get out of the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Try Las Vegas for a while!

Sounds like a new version of the PV 500 on I-10 or Buckeye Rd!

105KW · « **Reply #94 on:** Jan 17, 2011, 10:17 »

Quote from: tagline on Jan 16, 2011, 01:29

There is one thing for sure at Hanford and the Tri-Cities area in general. They are by far the worse drivers in the world. It is like being in London here. Every other place I have ever been at in the USA the left lane is a passing lane. Here it is a slow driving lane. The vast majority of drivers are in the left lane until they are 25 feet from a right hand lane exit. Then they are coming over to exit no matter who or what is in their way. I can agree about the fast drivers there also. But when it comes down to it: Lead, follow or get out of the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It will get better when all the ARA people leave. It was just fine before the Obama money started raining down on the site. Been through the cycle before

ndurham · « **Reply #95 on:** Jan 18, 2011, 09:16 »

Or, when the old fogies that can't see, let alone operate a vehicle leave/retire, which ever comes first

Soul Merchant · « **Reply #96 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 11:36 »

On January 20, 2011 in the Tri-City Herald an article stated approximately 1,600 layoffs are to occur by the end of the 2011 fiscal year (9/30/11). About 300 layoffs from MSA and another 1,350 or so from CH2MHILL Plateau Remediation Company. This is, of course, besides those who were hired for short term ARRA contracts and were informed of the limited time frame involved with their employment from the beginning.

Also, this article does not address employees of the other dozen or so major contractors two of whom (Washington River Protection Services and Washington Closure Hanford) commented for the article that they believe their need for layoffs will be offset by attrition and retirements.

Please let us know where you stand, and comment as appropriate!

Soul Merchant · « **Reply #97 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 12:07 »

105KW, I think '4 hours a day' might be a SLIGHT exaggeration.... rumors fly through Hanford like it is high school (or McDonald's), but I think that the lunch breaks are proportional to the work scheduled for each day. It varies around site, but I think the real issue is the house techs who have put in many years and the company employing them has yet to see a return on that investment. I guess the union is good if you have been around ten or fifteen years, since it then ensures that you can do no work and not be punished or corrected. What a shame....

Mike_Koehler · « **Reply #98 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 01:57 »

Hi,

I really feel for those about to lose their jobs. About 6 years ago I jumped to PNNL because I believed then (and still do believe) that I didn't have enough seniority to make my projected retirement date (which is still ~20 years into the distance). I was #268 on the site list at that time and Became #27 of 27 on PNNL's list. I thought at the time that I probably needed to be higher than 200 to be safe until 2030.....For 30 somethings please keep an eye on our jobs website as we have a couple or 3 retirements coming up soon and more following in a couple years (we are an aged workforce here compared to Site)..... I don't know how many they are replacing but it is worth a shot.....

Mike

nanjferret · « **Reply #99 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 09:01 »

Interesting Mike that you state "30 somethings". I gather they will not consider anyone older ? Hmmmmmmm.

roadhp · « **Reply #100 on:** Jan 20, 2011, 09:39 »

As a temporary contractor, I am concerned that we won't be here beyond February. The word on the grapevine is that if CH2MHILL doesn't get the money they asked for from DOE, and they will get an answer in February, then they will begin layoffs as soon as March. In a normal world, this wouldn't affect me since I am with WRPS. But things are not normal here in the Great Northwest, and according to the contract with HAMTEC, the local union conglomeration, before the first layoff of a house technician from ANY company on site can occur, ALL temporary contract technicians MUST be offsite, regardless of the status of their jobs or the intention of the Prime Contractor to hire any house technicians. So that means that if even one house technician from CH2MHILL has to get laid off and doesn't have a house job to go to, then all 200 some contractors must be laid off in all companies. Then later, when the dust settles, they can be rehired after the temporary jobs are first offered to the laid off house technicians. This was explained to me by our union steward, and I think I got it right. Please enlighten me if any of this is wrong, as I don't want to be Chicken Little.

liam · « **Reply #101 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 12:44 »

Well, we are contractors and being such, we should be prepared to be laid off at any time! My contract said I could be let go with no notice and I prepared for that. Why are you surprised? Do you honestly think a house person should lose their job and the company should keep us? This has been a good ride and I have no complaints. I have been treated better here than I ever was treated by a commercial nuke plant.

For some reason nukeworker has become a complaint forum. People whine about traffic, being sent home during bad weather, and the potential lay off when the Obama bucks go away. I thank the Lord for giving me this job when I needed it, for the wonderful people I have worked with, and for the beautiful state I currently reside in.

AS55555 · « **Reply #102 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 07:48 »

RP technicians must feel pretty good about their current positions. LES posted a job opening on nukeworker for a permanent decent paying job with great benefits and received minimal response and is still looking

tntplayer · « **Reply #103 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 09:50 »

I just had a phone interview (yesterday, 1/20) with a project manager of Eberline about a Sr. RCT position. My impression was that I will be offered a position. So, why are people talking about lay offs?

Marlin · « **Reply #104 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 10:25 »

Quote from: tntplayer on Jan 21, 2011, 09:50

I just had a phone interview (yesterday, 1/20) with a project manager of Eberline about a Sr. RCT position. My impression was that I will be offered a position. So, why are people talking about lay offs?

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/01/20/1333876/1600-layoffs-in-the-works-at-hanford.html

Mike_Koehler · « **Reply #105 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 10:38 »

Quote from: nanjferret on Jan 20, 2011, 09:01

Interesting Mike that you state "30 somethings". I gather they will not consider anyone older ? Hmmmmmmm.

They will always consider older people...... That has been what we have hired. We currently have 2 techs under 40 out of 30 techs. I am 50 and am not even in the upper 50% for age. I was trying to delicately encourage some younger people to apply..... Historically they hire someone with >15 years experience hence the 30 something in the post.

Mike

roadhp · « **Reply #106 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 12:13 »

Quote from: liam on Jan 21, 2011, 12:44

Well, we are contractors and being such, we should be prepared to be laid off at any time! My contract said I could be let go with no notice and I prepared for that. Why are you surprised? Do you honestly think a house person should lose their job and the company should keep us? This has been a good ride and I have no complaints. I have been treated better here than I ever was treated by a commercial nuke plant.

For some reason nukeworker has become a complaint forum. People whine about traffic, being sent home during bad weather, and the potential lay off when the Obama bucks go away. I thank the Lord for giving me this job when I needed it, for the wonderful people I have worked with, and for the beautiful state I currently reside in.

Unless you know my situation, don't judge me!!! Since Thanksgiving we have had to go to two funerals, one for my mother, and any planning we have done for this inevitability have been exhausted, so I have a right to be concerned. I was also giving out information that not every contract tech at Hanford knew about. No, I don't think a house tech should lose their job for them to keep us, but I do think the knee jerk reaction they have in the contract to lay every temporary contractor off for one person is too much. Maybe if they were to do a bump and roll like they do with house techs it would make more sense. There are contract techs with families as well, and we would feel bad about them losing their jobs, too. As far as the Obama bucks going away, that isn't true. CH2MHILL is having to layoff people because the contract obligations weren't met, so some of the money was sent elsewhere, which is why they are having to do layoffs. But if they lay off, and that causes the other companies to layoff their contractors, then the other companies will start to lose money because they can't complete their commitments due to lack of resources. It is a snowball effect.

liam · « **Reply #107 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 01:27 »

Road Hp, I was not passing judgment on you. I am truly sorry for your situation, but I do stand by what I said.

My manager, supervisor, and union steward, all said the layoffs are going to occur because the American Recovery Act money (Obama Bucks) will run out at the end of the fiscal year. The CEO of CH2MHILL sent a letter to all personnel essentially saying that too. Does anyone think a Republican congress, which is trying to cut funding and reduce debt, is going to give two billion more dollars to Hanford? At an all hands meeting in October we were told to expect 50% less funding in fiscal year 2012, so this is not a surprise to our group.

The letter said voluntary layoffs would occur in June/July and then involuntary layoffs by the end of the fiscal year (Sept). My union steward told me to expect to stay until the involuntary layoffs start. Nevertheless, I am prepared to leave if it happens sooner.

roadhp · « **Reply #108 on:** Jan 21, 2011, 02:07 »

I understand what you are saying, Liam, but it doesn't match what my supervision and union steward are saying. According to the union steward, involuntary layoffs could start as early as March, in which case we will be gone first. I asked the radcon manager if this is going to affect us soon, and he said he didn't know how soon. We always were planning on leaving at the end of the fiscal year when the ARRA money expires, so that isn't a problem, it's the leaving in a couple of weeks to catch the outages because we just don't know that is on our minds. Who knows, but we did call Bartlett today, and the commercial side said they knew about the situation and were working on it. Since they don't plan for the fall outages until after all the spring outages are staffed, I can only conclude that they think layoffs are possible soon.

Bonds 25 · « **Reply #109 on:** Jan 23, 2011, 06:21 »

Reading this thread makes me happy I work for a different outfit on the Hanford Site......Yea For Columbia (even if we are ranked 104 out of 104)

UncaBuffalo · « **Reply #110 on:** Jan 23, 2011, 08:34 »

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Jan 23, 2011, 06:21

Reading this thread makes me happy I work for a different outfit on the Hanford Site......Yea For Columbia (even if we are ranked 104 out of 104)

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,916.new.html#new

105KW · « **Reply #111 on:** Jan 24, 2011, 10:31 »

And so it starts :

From: John Lehew Log Number: CH1101-05
President and CEO

Date: January 19, 2011

To: CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company Employees
(Please forward to those who may not have seen this message)

Subject: WORKFORCE RESTRUCTURING

In recent weeks, there has been a great deal of discussion within the workplace about workforce actions that may be needed as we approach the coming year. We are now at a point where I can provide you with information on what our plans are, and what we anticipate in fiscal year 2011.

Thanks to the hard work of our staff, effective planning, and substantial investments under the Recovery Act, CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company (CHPRC) and our teaming subcontractors have made significant progress in accelerating environmental cleanup work here at Hanford ahead of schedule on nearly every project. We have completed critical environmental remediation projects safely, below cost, and have met all Fiscal Year Tri-Party Agreement Milestones on or ahead of schedule at the Hanford Site.
As we expected going into a project of this scope, staffing levels have fluctuated routinely as we have brought in subcontractors and other employees to work on specific tasks. The Department of Energy (DOE) has now approved CHPRC’s Workforce Restructuring Plan, which ensures that as we move forward, we continue to have the right set of skills to achieve our mission at the greatest value for taxpayers. The Plan includes a two-phased workforce restructuring framework that will use both voluntary and involuntary separations to decrease the number of workers supporting CHPRC by up to 1,350 during the final quarter of fiscal year 2011.

In late May 2011, a 21-day open window for a voluntary Self-Select Program (SSP) will be available for CHPRC employees. Participation in the SSP program will be open to all eligible, regular, full-time and part-time employees. Employees who apply and are approved for the SSP will receive severance of one week’s pay for every year of eligibility service, up to 20 weeks. In addition, employees may elect continued medical coverage under the DOE Displaced Workers Medical Benefits Program. Further details of the SSP program will be communicated and will be posted on the CHPRC Intranet.
After the 21-day period, we will determine the impact of the SSP and to what extent further reductions may be necessary. Prior to notifying anyone of involuntary separation, we will work with other Hanford contractors to identify any potential employment opportunities. Involuntary separation selections for exempt and nonexempt-nonbargaining positions will be based on mission requirements and the results of a rating and ranking process. HAMTC-represented employees will be separated in accordance with provisions of their union contract. Involuntarily separated employees will receive the same benefits as those employees who are approved for the SSP.
Affected workers will have access to a local contractor transition service center that is located at WorkSource Columbia Basin Center, a state-run partnership of more than a dozen public and private community partners. CHPRC will coordinate with WorkSource to ensure that displaced workers have access to support services such as resume and cover letter development, interview skills training, and job search technique training. Attached is a fact sheet that provides additional information on the available worker support services being offered by the Hanford Contractors and the Department of Energy.

We have made significant progress in accelerating work here at Hanford, including removing buildings, remediating waste sites, containing and treating contaminated groundwater, disposing of legacy waste and fuels, and constructing new groundwater treatment systems.

We should all be proud of the work we have accomplished here and of the progress we have made so far. With much work yet to be done, I ask all of you to help maintain our momentum into fiscal year 2011.
The remaining challenges are some of the largest on the Site, but through continued safe work performance, we will achieve the mission DOE has set out for us – to clean up the Hanford Site.

Mike_Koehler · « **Reply #112 on:** Jan 24, 2011, 10:44 »

Quote from: 105KW on Jan 24, 2011, 10:31

Involuntarily separated employees will receive the same benefits as those employees who are approved for the SSP.

So..... What exactly is the benefit of self selecting? Note that Savannah River is offering the same thing except they get 26 weeks maximum.......

Mike

105KW · « **Reply #113 on:** Jan 24, 2011, 10:59 »

Doesn't appear to give you anything to self select. Except maybe getting a better shot at another location.

105KW

snowman · « **Reply #114 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 12:04 »

You'll receive 1 week pay for every year of service up to 20 weeks, which you ordinarily are not entitled to when you leave voluntarily. That could be a nudge for a few folks who are a year or so away from retirement. Not what most employees nearing retirement at Hanford were hoping for considering the generous packages SRS gave people back in the 1990's.

What is interesting to note is that URS, the parent company for 1/2 the work at Hanford, says they are not anticipating reductions in force. Most people don't see how that is possible. Either way, the fallout from the so-called stimulus funds coming to an end will soon be felt all over the site.

snowman · « **Reply #115 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 12:17 »

Quote from: tntplayer on Jan 21, 2011, 09:50

I just had a phone interview (yesterday, 1/20) with a project manager of Eberline about a Sr. RCT position. My impression was that I will be offered a position. So, why are people talking about lay offs?

I wouldn't quit a long term job no matter what they told you. Ever heard 'if their lips are moving.... '. If you are out of work, that's a different story. By all means, take it. I will tell you this and you can write it in stone...don't plan on being there much past spring. That place is getting ready to be turned inside out thanks to the great community organizer.

snowman · « **Reply #116 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 12:47 »

Quote from: roadhp on Jan 21, 2011, 02:07

I understand what you are saying, Liam, but it doesn't match what my supervision and union steward are saying. According to the union steward, involuntary layoffs could start as early as March, in which case we will be gone first.

Your union steward is not entirely correct. According to the ARRA union agreement for contract RCT's, there is no site wide seniority for sub-contract RCT's, it is entirely project specific. Put another way, if project X has a reduction in force, the rent-a-techs on project X would be layed off first by order of seniority, in effect retaining less senior contract techs on other projects that have not yet identified layoffs. If the reductions on project X go so far as to reach the house techs (and they will), then the least senior contract tech, regardless of the project or the company, would be let go.

As you can see, there will be massive upheaval across the site starting this spring. House techs will not only be moving to different projects but to different contracts(companies). Ask your steward for TJ's phone number if you want to hear this for yourself.

roadhp · « **Reply #117 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 01:06 »

Quote from: snowman on Jan 25, 2011, 12:47

Your union steward is not entirely correct. According to the ARRA union agreement for contract RCT's, there is no site wide seniority for sub-contract RCT's, it is entirely project specific. Put another way, if project X has a reduction in force, the rent-a-techs on project X would be layed off first by order of seniority, in effect retaining less senior contract techs on other projects that have not yet identified layoffs. If the reductions on project X go so far as to reach the house techs (and they will), then the least senior contract tech, regardless of the project or the company, would be let go.

As you can see, there will be massive upheaval across the site starting this spring. House techs will not only be moving to different projects but to different contracts(companies). Ask your steward for TJ's phone number if you want to hear this for yourself.

Actually, she has been through this before, and specifically asked the union about it, and as I have said, ALL subcontract HP technicians MUST be offsite before the first house tech can be laid off. The companies can rehire, but they must first offer positions as temporary contractors to those who have been displaced as house techs. I will PM you the actual contract verbage when I can access the contract tomorrow if you like, but it isn't going to be a one laid off house tech, one laid off subcontractor. It is all or none.

snowman · « **Reply #118 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 09:25 »

That's true, all contractors will be laid off before the first permanent employee, as it should be.

tagline · « **Reply #119 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 10:04 »

I did not know that there are "permanent" workers at Hanford. I thought that it was all contractors or subcontractors.

105KW · « **Reply #120 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 10:29 »

Quote from: tagline on Jan 25, 2011, 10:04

I did not know that there are "permanent" workers at Hanford. I thought that it was all contractors or subcontractors.

Hmm...36 years at Hanford as an RCT makes you feel pretty permanent. Would you not agree ?

tagline · « **Reply #121 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 11:11 »

Sorry, you may think that because you have been here 36 years. But you are still a contractor.

105KW · « **Reply #122 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 11:29 »

Quote from: tagline on Jan 25, 2011, 11:11

Sorry, you may think that because you have been here 36 years. But you are still a contractor.

Semantics $:-\$ I guess anyone with a job would be a contractor. We all work for someone

tagline · « **Reply #123 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 02:12 »

So true Brother, so true.

EtherealOmega · « **Reply #124 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 02:19 »

As a relatively new road tech ~5yrs experience, I would say that this subject is mute. I work for the highest bidder, though I feel greatly discriminated in the field due to my young age (27). I never expected to be at Hanford past September and can at least take a couple of months to line jobs for August and beyond. There is no shortage of work and if your a contract tech complaining about layoffs you are in the wrong field.

And people say my generation whines, jeez.

EtherealOmega · « **Reply #125 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 02:25 »

This is going to be interesting to watch from afar. The question is whether URS is going to roll over for the Unions or meet them head on in court. From previous experience at SRS and talking with DOE reps there, a showdown is coming. Why keep lazy techs who complain about how old they are when they actually have to get out of their trucks and go work when there are people who don't hide in their offices all day. I'm not looking for a house position here as my family is a days flight away, but retention based solely on seniority is not the capitalist way. In the real world of business this would be a prime opportunity to downsize and rid themselves of dead weight.

Sun Dog · « **Reply #126 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 06:29 »

Quote from: EtherealOmega on Jan 25, 2011, 02:19

I would say that this subject is mute.

That would be a trick...even for your generation....jeez. One could consider that a nice example of an oxymoron though, surely an original.

snowman · « **Reply #127 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 07:02 »

Quote from: tagline on Jan 25, 2011, 10:04

I did not know that there are "permanent" workers at Hanford. I thought that it was all contractors or subcontractors.

They're also called staff, in-house, permanent, etc. Contract technicians are called contractors or sub-contractors, rent-a-techs (or rental techs as I heard it put one time), temps, staff augmentation, etc. Once you get some more time in the business you'll learn the lingo.

Marlin · « **Reply #128 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 07:09 »

Quote from: EtherealOmega on Jan 25, 2011, 02:19

As a relatively new road tech ~5yrs experience, I would say that this subject is mute. I work for the highest bidder, though I feel greatly discriminated in the field due to my young age (27). I never expected to be at Hanford past September and can at least take a couple of months to line jobs for August and beyond. There is no shortage of work and if your a contract tech complaining about layoffs you are in the wrong field.

And people say my generation whines, jeez.

"moot"

jkj · « **Reply #129 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 07:30 »

Quote from: Marlin on Jan 25, 2011, 07:09

"moot"

maybe it's MOOOO------T?

jkj · « **Reply #130 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 07:50 »

Quote from: EtherealOmega on Jan 25, 2011, 02:25

This is going to be interesting to watch from afar. The question is whether URS is going to roll over for the Unions or meet them head on in court. From previous experience at SRS and talking with DOE reps there, a showdown is coming. Why keep lazy techs who complain about how old they are when they actually have to get out of their trucks and go work when there are people who don't hide in their offices all day. I'm not looking for a house position here as my family is a days flight away, but retention based solely on seniority is not the capitalist way. In the real world of business this would be a prime opportunity to downsize and rid themselves of dead weight.

--karma to you, EtherealOmega, I'm at SRS and hope I don't get laid-off but I'm totally Sick of hearing of my "seniority will protect me--I've got seniority" crap I've heard since I got here. Like another poster said on another forum---we've got more loafers here than Thom Mcann's

Sun Dog · « **Reply #131 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 07:56 »

Quote from: jkj on Jan 25, 2011, 07:50

Like another poster said on another forum---we've got more loafers here than Thom Mcann's

To cite my good friend Retread...

Quote from: retread on Dec 28, 2010, 09:20

What a memory!

Marlin · « **Reply #132 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 08:07 »

Quote from: jkj on Jan 25, 2011, 07:30

maybe it's MOOOO------T?

BAAAA.......Goats and sheep seem to apply here with blame and blind followers abounding.

Cows no longer seem to apply as they will no longer be allowed to milk it. Metaphors should be carefully used.

Marlin · « **Reply #133 on:** Jan 25, 2011, 08:20 »

OK to move myself and this thread back on topic. DOE cuts of this nature have little to do with age or performance. If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time you are on the road. I've been through two workforce transitions of DOE sites layoffs always ended up being smaller than projected and rumors stampeding around the site (OK there is a MOOO there

with the stampede) most of which were wrong..

MrHazmat · « **Reply #134 on:** Jan 27, 2011, 07:47 »

From what our level 1 manager said, seniority will only help the people with good work ethics and practices. Sorry/bad workers will leave first this time, for the first time in SRS history

Orange Crush · « **Reply #135 on:** Jan 27, 2011, 09:33 »

Isn't this an Oakridge thread?

Marlin · « **Reply #136 on:** Jan 27, 2011, 09:55 »

Quote from: Orange Crush on Jan 27, 2011, 09:33

Isn't this an Oakridge thread?

NukeWorker Forum > Facility & Company Information > Region IV (Western) > Hanford > Hanford lay offs

or was this

MrHazmat · « **Reply #137 on:** Jan 31, 2011, 07:15 »

Quote from: MrHazmat on Jan 27, 2011, 07:47

From what our level 1 manager said, seniority will only help the people with good work ethics and practices. Sorry/bad workers will leave first this time, for the first time in SRS history

No, just in a hurry, old, dumb and in the wrong place, old age is a .......

105KW · « **Reply #138 on:** Jan 31, 2011, 09:35 »

Quote from: Marlin on Jan 25, 2011, 08:20

OK to move myself and this thread back on topic. DOE cuts of this nature have little to do with age or performance. If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time you are on the road. I've been through two workforce transitions of DOE sites layoffs always ended up being smaller than projected and rumors stampeding around the site (OK there is a MOOO there with the stampede) most of which were wrong..

Marlin,
You are so correct. I have been through several myself at DOE. The layoff numbers have never come to pass with what is first projected. I suspect there will be house techs go this time, just not as many as feared.

105kw

pringles can · « **Reply #139 on:** Feb 17, 2011, 03:32 »

I would be in favor of removing the union all together. It would be nice to see things based on performance rather than years served. There are many seasoned people here that are amazing to work with, but many times the top of the seniority list is borderline comatose.

105KW · « **Reply #140 on:** Feb 18, 2011, 01:07 »

Quote from: pringles can on Feb 17, 2011, 03:32

I would be in favor of removing the union all together. It would be nice to see things based on performance rather than years served. There are many seasoned people here that are amazing to work with, but many times the top of the seniority list is borderline comatose.

pringles,
I guess the question I would ask is performance based on whose perception ? Washington Closure ? WRPS ? CHG ? yours ? . I would assume ( maybe I'm wrong ) you have only been out at the site a short of amount of time. You have to remember those "comatose" seniors you have to deal with have been there, done that and played the DOE merry-go-round a long time. They are not comatose they have just learned to not get too excited about much. Not slamming you, just ask that you have a little perspective.

105KW

tagline · « **Reply #141 on:** Feb 18, 2011, 04:40 »

I have to agree with 105KW. I am new to Hanford and am fortunate to be working with a great bunch of HPT's here. They all are very willing to help and all pull up the boot straps when they are givin their assignments. I hear that not all areas are like that here, that is why I count my blessings. Then again I can adjust to anything when I am making this kind of money for a job that is not very hard at all.

pringles can · « **Reply #142 on:** Feb 20, 2011, 01:40 »

Just as I said in my original post, there are some that are very well versed and great to work with. However, to not call out the shortfalls by a large number of the employees here is dis-honest. The unions are chocking the life out of all aspects of industry, and in my opinion, it is not sustainable. I watch the same people day in and day out do absolutely nothing, with no fear of repercussions. Ultimately, the union is cannibalistic and only furthers peoples personal interests. Once it hits the fan, there is no "brotherhood", rather everyone looks out for number one. I had a great job before this one, complete with benefits, etc. There was no union, just the knowledge that if you did not perform and work hard, you would be replaced. Unions had their place, but I feel that it has become ridiculous.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/17/entitlement-evolution-poses-threat-americas-finances/#

RRhoads · « **Reply #143 on:** Feb 20, 2011, 06:08 »

If you are working out in the area, then you most likely pay dues in some way, shape or fashion.
If you are working at Hanford, and so anti-union...set the example, stand up and leave.
Dont bite the hand that feeds you, and feeds you very well.

Soul Merchant · « **Reply #144 on:** Feb 20, 2011, 08:45 »

RRhoads: don't fool yourself, the union is not the hand that feeds. If anything, the union is the symbiotic parasite which would not exist without the hand that feeds OR those that bite who are willing to trade their dues for the services rendered. Although, I would wager that many are not willing to trade their dues for the services rendered, they simply have no choice. Yes, yes, you are right- they could leave. What a choice! Next you will start telling me how government inefficiency and waste are good for us...

RRhoads · « **Reply #145 on:** Feb 20, 2011, 09:00 »

Iam not being naive, I have a pretty good idea about how it works out ther.When i was a road tech, i always had a choice.dont like paying dues leave..If you're a travler coming in on Stimulus bucks and dont like the Union, leave..thts all iam saying....its NOT your house...nor is it mine.

And it figures you sink the topic down to party affiliation.

Nuff said.

duke99301 · « **Reply #146 on:** Feb 20, 2011, 09:13 »

They did nothing for me when I was there but I can say this one of my Union Brothers ratted me out to the boss I was getting calls for other jobs. but what the heck I got 10 k out of them sitting in training. and it proved to me in my mind never go back stay forward in your progress. I left there as am alara eng.back to making more than the slugs I was with and less hoops to jump through now I am back working safety and project management.
I could rant all day about CR and the walkout years ago. But if want to be in a union go house somewhere.

105KW · « **Reply #147 on:** Feb 20, 2011, 09:14 »

In a Perfect world we would not need a union. I find it interesting the folks with the strongest ant-union feelings are most likely short term RCT/HPT's at the site. I came from anti-union state down south many years ago and couldn't understand why the "union" thought they needed my money. After all the company was willing to pay me to relocate, give a nice salary, wouldn't force me to work overtime, buy all my winter gear, supply me with work boots, give me 10 days of holiday pay, decent medical, 401k, 3 week vacation ( at 5 years ), education reimbursement ,pay me when bad weather closes the site...etc...etc...Even without a union I am sure they would still give me this out of the goodness of their heart. After all the company is here to look out for me aren't they ? $:-\$
The fact is without some bargaining power ( as meek as is it is ) the average working guy or gal would in a far worse shape. We are not in a perfect world Dorothy and your not in Kansas anymore.

105KW

reckingballc · « **Reply #148 on:** Feb 24, 2011, 06:13 »

Good point Mr. Meyers.

Content1 · « **Reply #149 on:** Feb 24, 2011, 08:16 »

My only problem with unions is they exclude people if you are not a "brother." If you somehow get in they force you to join, take your money and then use some of it for politics for candidates I dislike, like Kerry back in '04 or Pelosi and Reid and Obama in 08. On the other hand, I also think you have more power in a union to bargain collectively and that is OK. The solution is to take a persons money only for bargaining, and not for political purposes unless you expressly agree to it and have open books to insure it is not happening against your will.

Already Gone · « **Reply #150 on:** Feb 24, 2011, 10:03 »

What you propose is known as the Beck Decision. The US Supreme Court issued it in the case of CWA vs. Beck.

You can read more about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications_Workers_of_America_v._Beck

pringles can · « **Reply #151 on:** Feb 27, 2011, 03:52 »

Despite not being "in Kansas anymore", or in a perfect world, companies are in business in order to make a profit. I know that many companies treat employees less than desirably, but it is their right to do so. I’m not saying that is its right, but it is their right. Unions are needed, absolutely. My contract and work atmosphere are better because of them for sure. At what cost though? Unions are a big reason that many aspects of industry in the United States has fled to other countries. Is it worth bankrupting a state over a few points on your benefits? We must allow capitalism and competition back into industry, or our economy will never be what it could be.

Sun Dog · « **Reply #152 on:** Feb 27, 2011, 06:51 »

Quote from: pringles can on Feb 27, 2011, 03:52

Despite not being "in Kansas anymore", or in a perfect world, companies are in business in order to make a profit. I know that many companies treat employees less than desirably, but it is their right to do so. I’m not saying that is its right, but it is their right. Unions are needed, absolutely. My contract and work atmosphere are better because of them for sure. At what cost though? Unions are a big reason that many aspects of industry in the United States has fled to other countries. Is it worth bankrupting a state over a few points on your benefits? We must allow capitalism and competition back into industry, or our economy will never be what it could be.

Be careful straddling the fence. You could be injured.

105KW · « **Reply #153 on:** Mar 01, 2011, 03:03 »

Quote from: Already Gone on Feb 24, 2011, 10:03

What you propose is known as the Beck Decision. The US Supreme Court issued it in the case of CWA vs. Beck.

You can read more about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications_Workers_of_America_v._Beck

You make a good point. I am pretty sure most here at the site do not realize that at the end of every year the worker can request a partial refund of the dues that was paid to the union.

105KW

reckingballc · « **Reply #154 on:** Mar 01, 2011, 06:48 »

Are you sure Steven? I didn't think that the "brotherhood" that is HAMTC would ever do such a thing. Thats like saying Obama is more qualified than Sarah Palin.

Larry7crys · « **Reply #155 on:** Mar 01, 2011, 09:19 »

My current guess is that all the contractors go first (about 100 or so) and then an additional 200 layoffs from CHPRC which means that I'm probably going to get bumped as a house tech. It's been quite the ride and I would have loved to stay for another year. Maybe the road life is calling my name?

105KW · « **Reply #156 on:** Mar 02, 2011, 09:23 »

Quote from: reckingballc on Mar 01, 2011, 06:48

Are you sure Steven? I didn't think that the "brotherhood" that is HAMTC would ever do such a thing. Thats like saying Obama is more qualified than Sarah Palin.

They don't have much to say about it and they don't like it. We only have a few agency fee members and I'm not recommending it, but the option is there. For more info speak with the union secretary down at the hall

drayer54 · « **Reply #157 on:** Mar 04, 2011, 07:52 »

Quote from: pringles can on Jan 06, 2011, 05:56

I too work with many competant and good people. There is, however, another half of my coworkers who dont care, take every opportunity to complain or get out of work, and then hide behind the union. Coming from where I do, I apprectiate that this job allows us to live a fairly comfortable life, but it does get old watching the same people day in and day out do nothing and collect the same amount of money as the rest of us.

you must be active duty?

turkeypoint1967 · « **Reply #158 on:** Apr 17, 2011, 08:02 »

The drive has gotten pretty nerve racking. I dont understand the reason people are in such a hurry to get somewhere to do crosswords. I have noticed in my limited time on site that there are a few frequent offenders, mostly on the river roads, etc. Two or three inpeticular that are going to cause an accident.

Bonds 25 · « **Reply #159 on:** Apr 17, 2011, 10:39 »

Quote from: tagline on Jan 16, 2011, 01:29

There is one thing for sure at Hanford and the Tri-Cities area in general. They are by far the worse drivers in the world. It is like being in London here. Every other place I have ever been at in the USA the left lane is a passing lane. Here it is a slow driving lane. The vast majority of drivers are in the left lane until they are 25 feet from a right hand lane exit. Then they are coming over to exit no matter who or what is in their way. I can agree about the fast drivers there also. But when it comes down to it: Lead, follow or get out of the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EXACTLY !!! Ive been all over the USA and the Tri-Cities has BY FAR the WORST drivers I have ever seen. You can bet.....if you are in the fast lane going 60 (OR 55 LIKE A LOT OF IDIOTS ARE DOING !!!) in the 60 mph zone my truck is gonna be up on your back bumper.....and depending on my mood I may be laying on the horn. Its simple.....get the over to the right. I count how many cars I pass on the right everyday on my way to work.....the record is 48. 48 !!!!!

tntplayer · « **Reply #160 on:** Apr 18, 2011, 02:09 »

Bonds...a speed limit is just that...a limit...not a suggestion. Why can't eveyone just slow down a litle and enjoy

MacGyver · « **Reply #161 on:** Apr 18, 2011, 02:53 »

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 17, 2011, 10:39

EXACTLY !!! Ive been all over the USA and the Tri-Cities has BY FAR the WORST drivers I have ever seen. You can bet.....if you are in the fast lane going 60 (OR 55 LIKE A LOT OF IDIOTS ARE DOING !!!) in the 60 mph zone my truck is gonna be up on your back bumper.....and depending on my mood I may be laying on the horn. Its simple.....get the over to the right. I count how many cars I pass on the right everyday on my way to work.....the record is 48. 48 !!!!!

The title of my rant is, Only in America!

Let us begin with some simple concepts / terms. Shall we?

It isn't the left lane. Its proper name is the "passing lane". Not the "fast lane" or the "speeding lane". The "passing lane" is the correct term. You have no right to demand it, and you have no right to be in it unless you are passing. Lane ownership issues are a big deal. And, by violating it you are endangering the rest of us on the road.

I am not advocating hogging the "passing lane" if you are not passing. But, as TnTplayer has stated, it is a speed "limit". Thusly, if you don't know what that means please look at a dictionary. Otherwise stop getting mad at those that obey the law when passing in the "passing lane".

And, for goodness sake, don't tailgate to get your point across. The only idiots on the road are the "Tailgater's". You don't own any lane. You share the lanes (with other drivers). If you don't care for Tri-Cities drivers I can assure you will not care for the rest of the US of A. Because as far as I know everywhere I drive I met idiots in cars ..

Only in America can a poster complain about other people's "legal" (and "illegal") driving as "idiotic" when they admit they are driving "dangerously" and "erratically" (re: tailgating). Only in America!

I too do not like those that don't have the intelligence to drive a car correctly. I share your pain but I do not advocate driving dangerously to prove a point. Not ever. Everyone that is stupid has that right, given by GOD, and will continue to execute it regardless of your training methods to reverse it.

turkeypoint1967 · « **Reply #162 on:** Apr 18, 2011, 03:37 »

I am not opposed to speading, with in reason. But there is a big difference between speeding and what some of these size smallwhenyoushouldwearaxxlarg e safety orange shirt wearing brotheren are doing. Like i said, there are at least three vehicles that I see on an almost daily basis driving like a moron just to show off.

RDTroja · « **Reply #163 on:** Apr 18, 2011, 03:39 »

Quote from: MacGyver on Apr 18, 2011, 02:53

The title of my rant is, Only in America!

Let us begin with some simple concepts / terms. Shall we?

It isn't the left lane. Its proper name is the "passing lane". Not the "fast lane" or the "speeding lane". The "passing lane" is the correct term. You have no right to demand it, and you have no right to be in it unless you are passing. Lane ownership issues are a big deal. And, by violating it you are endangering the rest of us on the road.

I am not advocating hogging the "passing lane" if you are not passing. But, as TnTplayer has stated, it is a speed "limit". Thusly, if you don't know what that means please look at a dictionary. Otherwise stop getting mad at those that obey the law when passing in the "passing lane".

And, for goodness sake, don't tailgate to get your point across. The only idiots on the road are the "Tailgater's". You don't own any lane. You share the lanes (with other drivers). If you don't care for Tri-Cities drivers I can assure you will not care for the rest of the US of A. Because as far as I know everywhere I drive I met idiots in cars ..

Only in America can a poster complain about other people's "legal" (and "illegal") driving as "idiotic" when they admit they are driving "dangerously" and "erratically" (re: tailgating). Only in America!

I too do not like those that don't have the intelligence to drive a car correctly. I share your pain but I do not advocate driving dangerously to prove a point. Not ever. Everyone that is stupid has that right, given by GOD, and will continue to execute it regardless of your training methods to reverse it.

I will agree with most of what you say except the first and last lines. It is not only in America. As a matter of fact it is much worse in many places outside America. But that does not change the validity of the rest of your post.

To many people, anyone that drives faster than them is a moron and those that drive slower are idiots. Or is it the other way around? I forget...

snowman · « **Reply #164 on:** Apr 19, 2011, 10:20 »

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 17, 2011, 10:39

EXACTLY !!! Ive been all over the USA and the Tri-Cities has BY FAR the WORST drivers I have ever seen. You can bet.....if you are in the fast lane going 60 (OR 55 LIKE A LOT OF IDIOTS ARE DOING !!!) in the 60 mph zone my truck is gonna be up on your back bumper.....and depending on my mood I may be laying on the horn. Its simple.....get the over to the right. I count how many cars I pass on the right everyday on my way to work.....the record is 48. 48 !!!!!

Why don't you leave the house 5 minutes earlier or better yet....just leave?

turkeypoint1967 · « **Reply #165 on:** Apr 19, 2011, 06:14 »

I have to agree with Content 1. I feel that it not the unions place to choose one side or the other using our dues.

Bonds 25 · « **Reply #166 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 12:34 »

Quote from: snowman on Apr 19, 2011, 10:20

Why don't you leave the house 5 minutes earlier or better yet....just leave?

LOL !!! Looks like I found a couple of the individuals I'm talking about. If you are driving 58 mph in the "passing lane" in a 60 mph zone and dont see anything wrong with that, then you must be a total idiot (even if you are passing the other idiot going 55 mph) Its not just on my way to work.....its EVERYWHERE !!!!

Also....I WILL LEAVE !!! (in 31 years when I retire)

Bonds 25 · « **Reply #167 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 12:47 »

Also.....when I ride to work with my Girlfriend and she is consistently "flying by" vehicles on the right....while going 62 MPH something is wrong. Im not talking about people going under the speed limit in the right lane (some believe 60 mph is too fast) My problem is the population of drivers that strictly drive in the "passing lane" no matter WHAT speed they are going.

MacGyver · « **Reply #168 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 07:35 »

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 20, 2011, 12:34

LOL !!! Looks like I found a couple of the individuals I'm talking about. If you are driving 58 mph in the "passing lane" in a 60 mph zone and dont see anything wrong with that, then you must be a total idiot (even if you are passing the other idiot going 55 mph) Its not just on my way to work.....its EVERYWHERE !!!!

Also....I WILL LEAVE !!! (in 31 years when I retire)

This would indicate you are young'ster. Good for you not to let our words get to you.

But,

for thinking you "own" a lane. Yes, they should be in the "non-passing lane". But, when passing they can pass at any speed they like. And, they are required by law to do it slower than the "speed limit". Your frustration is due to your late departure for work. You are in a rush. And, you should leave earilier and stop riding bumpers. Because what you are complaining about is legal (re: passing at the speed limit in the passing lane). What you are doing on the other hand is "careless and reckless" (i.e. dangerous).

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 20, 2011, 12:47

Also.....when I ride to work with my Girlfriend and she is consistently "flying by" vehicles on the right....while going 62 MPH something is wrong. Im not talking about people going under the speed limit in the right lane (some believe 60 mph is too fast) My problem is the population of drivers that strictly drive in the "passing lane" no matter WHAT speed they are going.

Which is legal if they are passing.

snowman · « **Reply #169 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 10:25 »

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 20, 2011, 12:34

LOL !!! Looks like I found a couple of the individuals I'm talking about. If you are driving 58 mph in the "passing lane" in a 60 mph zone and dont see anything wrong with that, then you must be a total idiot (even if you are passing the other idiot going 55 mph) Its not just on my way to work.....its EVERYWHERE !!!!

Also....I WILL LEAVE !!! (in 31 years when I retire)

Anyone that counts the number of cars they illegally pass on the way to work has a little problem. And put down the Kool-Aid, pal, I'll let you in on a little secret. You Ready? You don't have 31 years left out there. The fat lady is starting to sing.

105KW · « **Reply #170 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 10:40 »

Quote from: snowman on Apr 20, 2011, 10:25

Anyone that counts the number of cars they illegally pass on the way to work has a little problem. And put down the Kool-Aid, pal, I'll let you in on a little secret. You Ready? You don't have 31 years left out there. The fat lady is starting to sing.

Hope she holds that high note for about another 5 years anyways :-)...And the traffic will get better come late October when the Obama money is all gone. Just everyone try to stay safe till then.

Bonds 25 · « **Reply #171 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 11:40 »

Quote from: snowman on Apr 20, 2011, 10:25

Anyone that counts the number of cars they illegally pass on the way to work has a little problem. And put down the Kool-Aid, pal, I'll let you in on a little secret. You Ready? You don't have 31 years left out there. The fat lady is starting to sing.

So let me get this straight.....Im the one thats the problem. Passing cars on the right going 65 mph is wrong.....not the people who are driving strictly in the left lane going 55-60 mph (while holding up trafic and not PASSING ANYBODY!!) Also....I do have 31 years left....we actually make electricity where I work. And Kool-Aid?....LOL Im 34 years old. Not a bad attempt at trying to belittle me however.

HydroDave63 · « **Reply #172 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 11:48 »

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 20, 2011, 11:40

So let me get this straight.....Im the one thats the problem. Passing cars on the right going 65 mph is wrong.....not the people who are driving strictly in the left lane going 55-60 mph (while holding up trafic and not PASSING ANYBODY!!) Also....I do have 31 years left....we actually make electricity where I work. And Kool-Aid?....LOL Im 34 years old. Not a bad attempt at trying to belittle me however.

Luckily the Internet is forever, so when you rearend the car with the family inside and kill someone's kid, they can find your posts and your reckless disregard for the lives of others...

Bonds 25 · « **Reply #173 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 11:58 »

Ohhhh....for the record the whole tailgating story isnt true (afraid of rock chips) I guess I forgot to mention that.....I am however quite impressed how VERY easy it is to get people fired up on here.

HydroDave63 · « **Reply #174 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 12:01 »

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 20, 2011, 11:58

Ohhhh....for the record the whole tailgating story isnt true (afraid of rock chips) I guess I forgot to mention that.....I am however quite impressed how VERY easy it is to get people fired up on here.

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 17, 2011, 10:39

EXACTLY !!! Ive been all over the USA and the Tri-Cities has BY FAR the WORST drivers I have ever seen. You can bet.....if you are in the fast lane going 60 (OR 55 LIKE A LOT OF IDIOTS ARE DOING !!!) in the 60 mph zone my truck is gonna be up on your back bumper.....and depending on my mood I may be laying on the horn. Its simple.....get the over to the right. I count how many cars I pass on the right everyday on my way to work.....the record is 48. 48 !!!!!

We'll see what the jury will decide in the future, now won't we

Bonds 25 · « **Reply #175 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 12:09 »

Tri-Cities does have the worst drivers Ive ever seen.....and I do pass people on the right if they are driving in the left lane for no reason, but I do not tailgate people (like i said...I made that up as I dont like rock chips on my brand new truck....and I was in the mood to get people fired up) I did pass 48 cars one day on my way to work....all in the right lane....all going 65 mph (in a 60 mph zone) That is quite sad that there is that many people who have no idea the proper lane to be driving in.....so sad that it has actually caused me to count.

MacGyver · « **Reply #176 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 12:28 »

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 20, 2011, 11:58

Ohhhh....for the record the whole tailgating story isnt true (afraid of rock chips) I guess I forgot to mention that.....I am however quite impressed how VERY easy it is to get people fired up on here.

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 20, 2011, 12:09

Tri-Cities does have the worst drivers Ive ever seen.....and I do pass people on the right if they are driving in the left lane for no reason, but I do not tailgate people (like i said...I made that up as I dont like rock chips on my brand new truck....and I was in the mood to get people fired up) I did pass 48 cars one day on my way to work....all in the right lane....all going 65 mph (in a 60 mph zone) That is quite sad that there is that many people who have no idea the proper lane to be driving in.....so sad that it has actually caused me to count.

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 20, 2011, 11:40

So let me get this straight.....Im the one thats the problem. Passing cars on the right going 65 mph is wrong.....not the people who are driving strictly in the left lane going 55-60 mph (while holding up trafic and not PASSING ANYBODY!!) Also....I do have 31 years left....we actually make electricity where I work. And Kool-Aid?....LOL Im 34 years old. Not a bad attempt at trying to belittle me however.

Hmmmmmmm, really, I guess you're the expert on getting 'people' fired up, eh?

Both are illegal.

MacGyver · « **Reply #177 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 12:36 »

Quote from: snowman on Apr 20, 2011, 10:25

Anyone that counts the number of cars they illegally pass on the way to work has a little problem. And put down the Kool-Aid, pal, I'll let you in on a little secret. You Ready? You don't have 31 years left out there. The fat lady is starting to sing.

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 20, 2011, 11:40

So let me get this straight.....Im the one thats the problem. Passing cars on the right going 65 mph is wrong.....not the people who are driving strictly in the left lane going 55-60 mph (while holding up trafic and not PASSING ANYBODY!!) Also....I do have 31 years left....we actually make electricity where I work. And Kool-Aid?....LOL Im 34 years old. Not a bad attempt at trying to belittle me however.

In case you missed the snowman's meaning, let me help you out. He (i.e. SnowMan) means, with your current driving style, will not live long enough for you to enjoy 31+ years till retirement.

You'll see as you get older. You will slow down or get slowed down. Most of us learned from others mistakes so we wouldn't have to make them ourselves. You could say, learn from the OE or become the OE.

Peace.

105KW · « **Reply #178 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 12:47 »

Glad he turns off at Woops..Uh I mean Columbia Generating Staion...Just makes the drive safer for us

nukewood · « **Reply #179 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 05:10 »

It has been my experience that passing on the way to work at Hanford in either the right lane or the left might net you a savings of 1-2 minutes by the time you get to Kbasin. Is it really worth it?

RDTroja · « **Reply #180 on:** Apr 20, 2011, 07:12 »

Quote from: nukewood on Apr 20, 2011, 05:10

It has been my experience that passing on the way to work at Hanford in either the right lane or the left might net you a savings of 1-2 minutes by the time you get to Kbasin. Is it really worth it
/

Please stop trying to inject logic into an emotionally charged subject... the morons don't listen because they think it doesn't apply to them, so you only succeed in inconveniencing billions of electrons needlessly.

Thank you.

MacGyver · « **Reply #181 on:** Apr 21, 2011, 07:32 »

Quote from: Bonds 25 on Apr 20, 2011, 12:47

Also.....when I ride to work with my Girlfriend and she is consistently "flying by" vehicles on the right....while going 62 MPH something is wrong. Im not talking about people going under the speed limit in the right lane (some believe 60 mph is too fast) My problem is the population of drivers that strictly drive in the "passing lane" no matter WHAT speed they are going.

Hey Bonds ... I was able to recover some video from the traffic camera's of you and your girlfriends driving. RaceY!

Quote

Protectologist · « **Reply #182 on:** Apr 21, 2011, 08:45 »

Since the tribe of Morons and the tribe of Idiots are sending out their war parties I've decided to be the one to leave a few minutes earlier to avoid the battle. I did notice a few scouts out ahead of the main group but other than that I had a peaceful drive to work this morning.

turkeypoint1967 · « **Reply #183 on:** Apr 21, 2011, 11:52 »

As did I. There is a white ford dually and a black ford pickup that I havent seen all week which makes me happy.

Maverick · « **Reply #184 on:** Apr 21, 2011, 12:26 »

I typically drive up to 5 miles/hr over the posted speed. I try to stay out of these crazies path but that doesn't always work; they blaze by me honking and flippiing me the "bird"; like I really care what crazy people think. They are the problem and their need to speed is their issue, not mine.

Radiationman85 · « **Reply #185 on:** Apr 21, 2011, 02:10 »

Whats your best guess or rumour on HPT/RCT numbers for lay off?
We have 674 house techs and 82 contract techs.

I am hearing and guessing myself we will be laying off all contract techs (82) and going down to 500 house. Giving a grand total of 256 being laid off.

Thoughts?

turkeypoint1967 · « **Reply #186 on:** Apr 21, 2011, 04:36 »

We have heard numbers all over the board. I imagine what you said will be close, however I am not sure it will be that high.

RDTroja · « **Reply #187 on:** Apr 21, 2011, 05:23 »

And you think you have it tough... check out this parking job.

http://www.wimp.com/somewhererussia/

Radiationman85 · « **Reply #188 on:** Apr 21, 2011, 06:54 »

High as in 500 being kept or 256 high being laid off?

MacGyver · « **Reply #189 on:** Apr 22, 2011, 07:41 »

Quote from: RDTroja on Apr 21, 2011, 05:23

And you think you have it tough... check out this parking job.

http://www.wimp.com/somewhererussia/

That is impressive .. !?!?! ..

namlive · « **Reply #190 on:** Apr 22, 2011, 08:26 »

At the SRS layoff in Feb. our management of high integrity told us that RadCon would lose 25% or 50 plus people. When the smoked cleared we had lost 4 and according to "the talk" 3 were absentee problems and one was on triple final commitment. They deliberately put the word out that the layoffs would be high, I guess so when 680 people left, we could sigh and say, "That wasn't so bad." I am convinced that the new owners conducting the layoffs are clueless as to what the site does. They are too busy flaunting their wealth on MTV teen cribs. (Season 1 episode 12). Now the next layoff has been cut back to 500 people tops. If they lay off 50 radcon I will go and I won't be too sad, that is if they still plan on using the seniority roster. They want to get rid of it to rid themselves of the unnamed "loafers at the top."

Don't believe half of what they say.

Protectologist · « **Reply #191 on:** Apr 24, 2011, 02:00 »

The number I'm hearing is that one third will be laid off at Hanford. That would bring the number of techs down to 500. But one third is the total number of staff reduced and RP may not get hit as hard or may get hit harder. We are repeatedly told that everyone is "safe" until 9/30. And no one is safe after that. I'm hearing from a lot of "exempts" that they are worried about their jobs too.

105KW · « **Reply #192 on:** May 02, 2011, 04:10 »

Quote from: Radiationman85 on Apr 21, 2011, 02:10

Whats your best guess or rumour on HPT/RCT numbers for lay off?
We have 674 house techs and 82 contract techs.

I am hearing and guessing myself we will be laying off all contract techs (82) and going down to 500 house. Giving a grand total of 256 being laid off.

Thoughts?

If I was a betting man ( and I am ) that is a pretty good guess. Historically the last 10 years the house numbers have stayed around 500 +- 8. I think you will see WRPS ( tank farms ) maintain it's headcount as they have an increased budget, while CHG ( PFP and the Canyons, Solid waste, Ground water ) will loose head count (techs). MSA techs I think are stable and doubt any will shift. WCH has increased their temp head count ( I suspect to prepare for the bump and roll ) and when everything is said and done 500 sounds like a good number. But hey, my opionion and a a buck might get you a cup of coffee at costco

105KW

BTW...The current numbers today are 659 House and 88 temps if the list is correct.

UncaBuffalo · « **Reply #193 on:** May 09, 2011, 06:13 »

Quote from: MacGyver on Apr 18, 2011, 02:53

It isn't the left lane. Its proper name is the "passing lane". Not the "fast lane" or the "speeding lane". The "passing lane" is the correct term. You have no right to demand it, and you have no right to be in it unless you are passing. Lane ownership issues are a big deal. And, by violating it you are endangering the rest of us on the road.

I am not advocating hogging the "passing lane" if you are not passing. But, as TnTplayer has stated, it is a speed "limit". Thusly, if you don't know what that means please look at a dictionary. Otherwise stop getting mad at those that obey the law when passing in the "passing lane".

I have been trying to keep my mouth shut, 'cuz I really don't have a dog in this fight...I'm going home from nightshift while y'all are jockeying for pole position...

BUT, I have to say it:

Have you thought about the possible outcomes when you play that sanctimonious 'I'm-the-good-guy-because-I-follow-the-speed-limit-in-the-passing-lane' card?

Outcome 1: You are doing a good thing by slowing that unsafe speeder down?

OR

Outcome 2: You are causing road rage in someone who may already have issues? Road rage which may not affect you, but may cause an accident further down the road...

I don't know about everyone else, but I'd rather stay in the slow lane, even if I'm stuck behind someone going 57, and not tick anyone off...rather than go 60 in fast lane and cause someone in a hurry to drive even crazier.

Full Disclosure: I reserve the right (subject to such fines as the judicial system chooses to levee) to go 10mph over the speed 'limit' (it's really just a guideline...if you are willing to pay the fines) on those rare occasions when I am running late...or when I need to pass someone in the slow lane in a timely manner.

tolstoy · « **Reply #194 on:** May 09, 2011, 12:21 »

Just a nit-pickin' point but I don't see how my obeying the law (driving the speed limit) should make me responsible for any of the ridiculously bad driving or behavior that I see just about every day.

RRhoads · « **Reply #195 on:** May 09, 2011, 12:32 »

Quote from: UncaBuffalo on May 09, 2011, 06:13

I have been trying to keep my mouth shut, 'cuz I really don't have a dog in this fight...I'm going home from nightshift while y'all are jockeying for pole position...

BUT, I have to say it:

Have you thought about the possible outcomes when you play that sanctimonious 'I'm-the-good-guy-because-I-follow-the-speed-limit-in-the-passing-lane' card?

Outcome 1: You are doing a good thing by slowing that unsafe speeder down?

OR

Outcome 2: You are causing road rage in someone who may already have issues? Road rage which may not affect you, but may cause an accident further down the road...

I don't know about everyone else, but I'd rather stay in the slow lane, even if I'm stuck behind someone going 57, and not tick anyone off...rather than go 60 in fast lane and cause someone in a hurry to drive even crazier.

Full Disclosure: I reserve the right (subject to such fines as the judicial system chooses to levee) to go 10mph over the speed 'limit' (it's really just a guideline...if you are willing to pay the fines) on those rare occasions when I am running late...or when I need to pass someone in the slow lane in a timely manner.

Finally some sense!....
Thank you UB!!!

RRhoads · « **Reply #196 on:** May 09, 2011, 12:33 »

Quote from: tolstoy on May 09, 2011, 12:21

Just a nit-pickin' point but I don't see how my obeying the law (driving the speed limit) should make me responsible for any of the ridiculously bad driving or behavior that I see just about every day.

Do it on the correct side of the road & there shouldnt be any worries.

MacGyver · « **Reply #197 on:** May 09, 2011, 12:35 »

Quote from: tolstoy on May 09, 2011, 12:21

Just a nit-pickin' point but I don't see how my obeying the law (driving the speed limit) should make me responsible for any of the ridiculously bad driving or behavior that I see just about every day.

I find it odd you "rationalize" behavior. But, they have research on this very topic.

Drivers blame everyone else for bad driving

So you think you're a good driver

tolstoy · « **Reply #198 on:** May 09, 2011, 03:03 »

Righto. Good to know that I should lock my car if I park next to yours lest I 'cause' you to swipe my stereo!

UncaBuffalo · « **Reply #199 on:** May 09, 2011, 07:17 »

Quote from: tolstoy on May 09, 2011, 12:21

Just a nit-pickin' point but I don't see how my obeying the law (driving the speed limit) should make me responsible for any of the ridiculously bad driving or behavior that I see just about every day.

You are right...it should NOT make you responsible -in a 'logical' kind of way.

Unfortunately, we are dealing with the emotions of someone (probably less stable than you) who is already in a hurry and isn't going to make a calm decision about you blocking them.

So, please be the extra-civilized person who keeps us all safe by NOT pushing the speeder into road rage. Thanks!

Poll

Hanford

Author Topic: Hanford (Read 281010 times)

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