Rocky Flats

[Rennhack]

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

[jocro]

Fun and $$$while it lasted

[ratshack]

That's whereI broke in the field at, spent 12 years there. It was a good place to get your expierience, the senior techs would take the time to help you out. All of that changed in the mid 90's, with the accelerated D&D. I left in '02, and alot of progress was being made in flattening the landscape. Met a lot of good people, afraid we'll all scatter to the wind one day.

[Dena123]

Hi everyone.  I used to work at Rocky Flats and I am writing a book about the plant.  I would love to hear from anyone who used to work at the plant or was/is involved with it in some way.  Just want to hear about your experiences.  Thanks so much. 

[HydroDave63]

There should be plenty of them online this weekend, after the safety stand-down...

[Dena123]

What's happening exactly re: safety standdown?

[Camella Black]

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

[ratshack]

There is a small mexican restaurant called Ophelias, in old town Arvada, around 57th and old Wadsworth Blvd. It has the old style mexican food, not the wimpy stuff that you get from the chain restaurants nowadays. For Spaghetti and pasta, Blue Parrot up in Louisville is very popular. As much as the west side of Denver has grown over the last 10 years, you can find about anything to eat as you want.

[tff986s]

the area surrounding r flats is awesome!! i lived in this region for 25 years, and loved it...so much to do, such beautiful scenery/mtns/skiing/etc....

it is semi expensive, but has gone down quite a bit in the past year+ due to economy slowdown..and inexpensive housing is always avlble...

rf itself is not far from a lot of housing and does not have particularly bad traffic... one can enter from either the west gate or the east [after obtaining site badge of course!! badging is only at the west gate...]

it is closing down, and thus the job will certainly not be long term, altho i forsee several years still possible.

bartlett is entrenched there, along with the still present house techs.

[tff986s]

horizons at rock creek.... tell 'em you work at r flats, you should get a discount... plus they are about five and 1/2 minutes from the east gate!!!

todd

(303) 551-2222
http://www.simpsonpropertygroup.com/communities/index.cfm?fuseaction=detail&id=31

[dosetek]

Bartlett has positions for Senior RCT/HP. July 12th report date. 6 month commitment. Please call 800-225-0385 ext.1308 or 1223 for details.
Thank you.

[dosetek]

Most everyone i know that are  hp/rct out there works for Bartlett. I think they pretty much have the hp/rct contract. Glad i could be of some help. Good luck to you. I have family out there working for Bartlett and they love it.

[RAD-GHOST]

Things may have changed over the year's, but probably not by much.  Bartlett was the only RCT tech supplier back then.  Some RCT management types were supplied by other companies.  Wages for the area weren't bad, PD was a little low for the area. 

If you go, remember your filling the shoes of another tech!  If you go, I suggest attending the Fox & Hound ritual, in Broomfield, on Thursday night and only drink top shelf Tequilla!  It's worth it just for the entertainment value alone!

[RAD-GHOST]

Rocky Flats and Strong Union?

Colorado is not a right to work state.  If there is a Union, you Must Join!  There Is and You Will! 

They managed to put the Techs in the Steel workers Union, go figure!  They bang you based on what you make!  It wouldn't be surprising to see an extra 50+ bucks missing out of your check.  Since the locals run the Steel Workers Union, guess what?  They don't really care if you exist or not, but they appreciate your contribution!  It helps them build their annuities because you owe it to them!  Your an outsider taking their jobs! 

Strong Union, maybe for some, but not the Contract techs!
 
In December of 2002, the Steel workers got a nice little bonus!  Everybody, but guess who?  I think it ran about $2000.00 per worker, before taxes!  Yes, the techs were in the union, but the union wasn't going to fight for any of the outsiders!  Union House Mice got it!  Union Bastards is the title I heard,  the union will recognize you, only if it benefits them!  Otherwise, your somebody elses red headed stepchild! If you go and really want to piss them off, just show up at a union meeting.  They hate having their time wasted, answering questions for the outsiders!     

Save the Owl, Whale, Tree's and Children!

Screw the Contractor!

What ever you do, make sure you become familiar with the unemployment laws of Colorado.  If you go there for a six month shot, you probably will not be able to collect unemployment after you leave!  No Way from Colorado!  The state has pretty much made it a fact that, if you aren't a local, we don't like you!

Besides Union Dues, your looking at about an extra 15%, due to unavoidable taxes!  State, Local and Sales!  What a deal!

Hey, they have nice mountains!

[feathersmoke]

This is by far the best DOE facility I have worked in.  These people have their "stuff" together!

[retired nuke]

The "old hands" out there do have their stuff together - cutting up glove boxes in a tent - 25K Dac PU air, nobody contaminated - no uptakes. I have never seen such professional contamination control before. Loved the area, hated the project management - stress levels too high for me.

[nfrgtblis]

Dena:

I am also writing a book.  I worked there from 1994 until just a few months back.  Give me an email if you are interested in trading information.

nfrgtblis@aol.com

[nfrgtblis]

I worked there for 10+ years in various reincarnations.... process specialist, D&D worker, waste inspector, PuSPS, and as a Supervisor.  Loved every minute of it (except maybe my last crew).  The people are professional but the previous reply is correct when it states that the project management personnel are high stressors.  Still, even the stress was stimulating.  I miss RF and am even more greatful for my time now that I am up at INEEL.

[halflifer]

I agree that the project mgrs are stress machines, but I've found that to be true most places.....that's what they get paid for.
I left RFETS to come to Oak Ridge and I've been kicking myself ever since. The worst of Rocky Flats is better than the best at BNFL's part of Oak Ridge.

[halflifer]

RadGhost speaks true re: taxes, the union, but on a personal level almost all of the K-H people are more than happy to work and play with you, and it doesn't matter how much experience you've had, working w/ Pu is whole new critter, so you'll appreciate their help and input.
It's certainly NOT the hostile work environment that I've seen at some closed shop commercial plants. They're winding down @RFETS so it might be hard to get in, but if you get a chance to go, do it. You'll have a great and educational time.

[Bingo]

I was in the first Bartlett group that were fully qualified and worked side by side with the house techs.  The first six months were a little rough, but things between the two groups got better as time went by.  Diem was a little low, but there is alot of overtime, upgraded PAPR,respirator,and supplied air pay.  I made alot of $$ and alot of good friends in the 3 1/2 years that I was there.  I still miss the Flatts and Colorado.

[DecommMan]

what's the book about - operations or decommissioning?

[DecommMan]

Is there really 'enough interest' for two books about Rocky Flats ?

[jheil001]

I worked there for 15 years until last June. What was the safety standdown about, I still keep in touch with people there and they did not say anything, but that does not necessarely mean anything, let me know if I can help with anything for your book.

[tff986s]

interesting...spent 17 yrs there [83-2000], saw the influx of bartlett, and the start of d&d... not much left anymore.. lotso work at hanford, assuming they get past the states passing the no waste movement law..go figure.