Hey,
I didn't mean to offend no one. But, please, don't tell me that the SAFETY CULTURE that we ALL have in our line of work...is here because of the Union. I didn't mean to insinuate that the Union isn't safe. I was at Pilgrim, escorting a HEPA unit from outside the PA, with a pipefitter. He decided he was going to his locker to remove his jacket, before he crossed the RCA boundary. I told him I would just place the HEPA unit across the line for him, and my job was done. He fanatically tried to tell me that "this is our equipment, you don't have a right to touch my equipment". I came back and told him that it is "Radioactive Material", which makes it MY material, and I will do what is best for the situation. Of course his bully, mafia like tactics didn't fare well with me. At Braidwood, working generators, the operators came to drain the bowl. I briefed them on the conditions of the platform. They asked who performed the survey. I said I did, just 30 minutes ago. They replied that they need a survey from a house tech. Of course my HOUSE supervisor got involved, and ...well, they drained the bowl. My point is, you are trying to use 1930 tactics, in a 2007 world. I get paid what the Union gets paid, I get a bigger bonus. Don't feed all these false acusations on pay, better work conditions, equal pay. My insurance plan is the same as the Union plan, same doctor, same price, same everything. When I traveled for shared resources, our mileage, per diem was the same. If I get fired from my job, it is due to much more than a union can protect me from. If anything, these roadies will be making what WE make during an outage, which would probably be a lot less than what they are making now. Ask Tina, she sounds like she has lived it.....Both sides alphadude!! The best a union would do for you is benefits, and that is it. But, it will also endanger your pay and diem. Remember, business is give and take.
I won't bother with this thread any more after this, obviously I am lowering myself by responding.