I am in amazement of this whole thread. I can’t believe the bantering about something that hasn’t been thought out by anyone. I’m not saying I know it all, but none of the comments are based in reality.
“The union would be an excellent for maintaining a data base that includes training and other professional qualifications. At the utilities, the unions have nothing to do with the actual training or maintaining a data base of qualifications. They only track time-in-grade that automatically advances the technician to the next pay grade. If you add in performance and tracking of training to the union's functions, the utilities (as well as other facilities) might well object and they would demand an input into the curriculum. “
Maintaining a database that includes training and other professional qualifications is already done by each of the contract companies. Just for instance: Atlantic Group does not call me and ask me to work on valves. Bartlett calls me to place me as an RP Technician. The databases are already there. Each utility, even those that are in the same system, have different qualification requirements as far as their plant goes. The utility would demand input into the curriculum. The utilities have a database they rely on and it’s called PADS, past that they rely on the contract company to ensure qualified people are chosen from their databases to show up. That’s when the worker has to meets the utilities internal testing requirements. i.e…welding, QC, valves, RT certifications, RP procedures, just to name a few. This is something a union can’t do.
“the union would be the voice of the technicians.......and I believe that pushing a training program is a better alternative that hp's would like to see, instead of going to different countries to recruit workers.....the union could sit there and run the admin part and document a training program just like bartlett does...”
Which technicians would that be? Three quarters of the one’s in my break room are just filling space by the contract company so they meet the numbers. 90% of them sit and B&*^% about the lack of this, the lack of that, the movie for the night, they’re late with the ice cream, I don’t get paid enough, I had to a 2 hour jump tonight, they own me this, they don’t respect me. I actually witnessed an incident with several RP techs the other day about writing a survey. 3 of them, all 3 couldn’t figure out how to document a smear >500,000 dpm/100cm2. They didn’t even have a meter with them and was insulted when the lead tech. asked them what the open window reading was. The lead tech. smiled and let them go and the only account of the whole thing is written here. The last outage I was at I found out some people were radioing surveys. You can pay these same people 100 dollars an hour and they will be the same slug. The union won’t and can’t fix that. A union will ensure these same people will be equal to you and me. There is a training program, it’s called college. Pilots have to have a certification before showing up to Delta, and then Delta trains them to their aircraft. Welders have to have a certification, and then they show up to be certified to the plant they are at. I have to pay to take a drivers license test. If I show up to a union hall and claim that I’m the next best thing to canned beer and sliced bread. I would still have to prove it when I got to my job, each time every time.
How many work force companies take fresh off the street people and train them to a technical position with out reimbursement? And, on top of that tell them they are contractors.
I could go on and on with a critique of each comment, just like it’s going to be done to mine. Instead of filling my break room with banter about making things better with a union, step over there and help the ones that need the help now. Who’s going to run this thing? What you’re talking about will need a whole staff, headquarters, rules, computers, structure and most of all money. Do you realize most nuclear power plants are in right to work states? By not joining a union, I will make and have the same benefits as those that do belong. There’s a job for everyone I know, but will I make more if I can actually get up and perform my job? Where’s my union hall going to be? Who’s my steward and do I get a voice in that? Is it a union only for Bartlett RP’s? There are many other RP’s in this country that aren’t commercial. If I’m guarding a locked high radiation area and walk off cause I have to use the bathroom, will a union guarantee my job? Will I make more if I know how to determine mrad/hr?
Respect is earned not demanded. Look around the room, is it equal? Raising the money will allow the plant to pick from a better pool of resumes. I’m not sure where mine would be. Have you ever seen a guy at your grocery store, service station, favorite bar, tire place, concert just working their ass off? Working their ass off for minimum wage. If you paid those people 100.00 an hour they couldn’t work any harder type people. That’s me. If the people in my break room all earned 100.00 and hour, would they still sit and complain they didn’t earn enough as they were watching the next movie? Yes they would. And, that’s the rub. The plants know that. Sometimes lumps of coal can’t turn into diamonds.
I don’t mean to pick on the 2 comments I’ve remarked about, that’s just where I stopped. I’ve been a member of the teamsters union for 10 years. Yall all need to go spend time down to one of the halls. Take a moment to figure out what you’re asking for and who’s going to control you next. Is it a union or company that they want to start? Some will say that I’m selfish or unrealistic. Well, when I get on site I’ve made my deal. When others get on site they wanna complain about the deal they’ve made. It’s funny about the line in the sand and standing on the other side of it.
Respect is earned not demanded. It’s a big steam machine, it’s not gonna stop for me or you.
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