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Author	Topic: Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant lockout heats contract fight	Post a Reply Back to Topics

NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,083 Points:1,621,355 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 2:39:36 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse PLYMOUTH — The Utility Workers Union set up pickets at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant on Wednesday after more than 200 of its members were locked out from their jobs by the plant’s owner and replaced with temporary operators in an escalating contract dispute. Each side blamed the other for failing to reach agreement on a contract that expired at midnight Tuesday and putting public safety at risk. Pilgrim’s owner, Entergy Corp. of New Orleans, said in a statement that it brought in replacement workers after Utility Workers Union of America Local 369 asserted that, without a contract, its members could walk off the job without notice. “Local 369 has stated flatly that while its members are not on strike, they reserve the right to walk off the job at any time, without any notice, and lea Visit Boston Globe for full article

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PLYMOUTH — The Utility Workers Union set up pickets at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant on Wednesday after more than 200 of its members were locked out from their jobs by the plant’s owner and replaced with temporary operators in an escalating contract dispute.
Each side blamed the other for failing to reach agreement on a contract that expired at midnight Tuesday and putting public safety at risk. Pilgrim’s owner, Entergy Corp. of New Orleans, said in a statement that it brought in replacement workers after Utility Workers Union of America Local 369 asserted that, without a contract, its members could walk off the job without notice.
“Local 369 has stated flatly that while its members are not on strike, they reserve the right to walk off the job at any time, without any notice, and lea
Visit Boston Globe for full article

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drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:8,939 Points:751,985 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 9, 2012 7:50:39 AM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse Fortunately for the rest of the country, Wisconsin voters have seen the light through strong leadership and shown that union thuggery can be throttled.
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:9,992 Points:1,740,860 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jun 8, 2012 2:01:59 PM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse Put your own solar Pv in and say goodbye to this dirty business..... Union thugs my eye.... the only thugs I see around are a few pushy mongrels from TX
drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:8,939 Points:751,985 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 8, 2012 7:15:59 AM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse So, the union voted 174-34 to reject Entergy's of "wage INCREASES on top of average pay of more than $122,000 a year, medical benefits, and annual incentive awards that average $3,400 per employee" The Union threatened to walk out at any time, without notice. “Local 369 has stated flatly that while its members are not on strike, they reserve the right to walk off the job at any time, without any notice, and leave the nuclear power plant critically understaffed and in violation of the plant's operating license. This disregard for public safety is unacceptable,”. "the plant will be staffed with qualified Pilgrim managers and safety will not be jeopardized." "The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which oversees plant safety, said it reviewed Entergy’s contingency plan for running the plant without the union workers. The NRC also has inspectors on site to ensure the plant is operating safely. “We have a team of five going around the clock,” NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan said. “We’ll go with the around-the-clock coverage for several days then scale back somewhat, but we’ll keep an increased presence there throughout the dispute.” Sheehan said the temporary workers are “fully qualified to be at the controls,” and could keep the plant running for as long as the standoff lasts." Quotes taken from this article being discussed and The Patriot Ledger
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,596 Points:1,204,605 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jun 8, 2012 4:57:24 AM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse OHMS...good points!
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,712 Points:1,690,905 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jun 8, 2012 2:51:56 AM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse You wrote "The plant should be idled until a fully certified team is in place to run it". The posted article says the NRC has inspectors on site 24/7. I guess that is a fact. I imagine that means the NRC considers that a fully certified team is in place now. The union issue clouds the safety issue that we are discussing. Our local nuclear station has its first generating unit decommissioned, and two more units down for a safety issue: vibrating tubes rubbing against each other, a true issue about safety. Does the NRC in our OC have different standards than the NRC workers in Boston? I doubt it. PS. the NRC also rotates its workers for cross training experience.
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:22,103 Points:1,384,565 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 11:15:45 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse This is scary stuff for sure. Personally, I prefer to get my information from someone that knows what they are talking about. Not industry shills with hidden agendas spewing industry generated misleading "FACTS" :0\
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,596 Points:1,204,605 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 9:48:53 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse From another Boston FACT source, "Senate President Therese Murray who represents Plymouth, called the actions by Entergy officials, who run the plant, “unacceptable” and “extremely disappointing” less than a month after they first barred 240 employees from working in the first round of stalled negotiations with union representatives. “It serves only to undermine the security of the plant and exacerbate the existing unease and safety concerns surrounding the nuclear site,” Murray said in a statement. “The workers are ready, willing and able to continue the safe and professional operation of the plant as contract negotiations continue. Entergy should reconsider this lockout. The workers and the community deserve a better response.” "Dan Hurley, president of the Utility Workers Union of America Local 369, said Entergy officials escorted employees out of the facility at midnight after contract talks collapsed for the second time since May 15." U.S. Rep Stephen F. Lynch also weighed in today, saying he was “alarmed” Entergy couldn’t reach a “fair contract” with union workers. “The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant needs these experienced workers to operate safely and efficiently,” Lynch said in a statement. “I urge Entergy to return to the negotiating table and bargain in good faith to reach a reasonable agreement.” "In a phone interview, Hurley said workers reported to the plant this morning, only to be turned away again, sending hundreds picketing in as many as three different locations. Workers spent just one day protesting in mid-May after the two sides created a 10-day window to renegotiate, only for the union workers to reject the proposal that’s hinged upon concessions over health care and short-term disability." If these FACTS are true, it appears that this might be an attempt to bust the Union The Union also appears to have been Locked-Out DURING contract negotiations. As we see here there are always at least 2 sides to every FACT. [Edited by: LetemEatCake at 6/8/2012 12:50:20 AM EST]
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,083 Points:1,621,355 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 9:40:31 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse The workers have never walked out, yet Entergy has locked them out at least twice now. Again please try reading more and spouting less doc. I much prefer well qualified and trained technicians, electricians, and engineers running all nuclear power plants in the USA. Too bad you can't comprehend that and like Entergy want to just get by on the cheap. That simply does not work with nuclear power or nuclear weapons. I know you fancy yourself a huge Big Oil investor so your hatred of professionals and honest unions like this one are no surprise to anyone here. More bull from you not supported by a lick of common sense. The NRC does not normally or routinely have any inspectors onsite at any nuclear power plant unless there is a problem. ALL the regular plant workers are locked. Your misinformation about "without the union workers" is so typical of your games. Nuclear safety is not a game.
drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:8,939 Points:751,985 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 9:24:39 PM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse Sorry NHLiveUnFree, “Local 369 has stated flatly that while its members are not on strike, they reserve the right to walk off the job at any time, without any notice, and leave the nuclear power plant critically understaffed and in violation of the plant’s operating license,” If you're gonna talk the talk you better be prepared to walk the walk! Union reps had extorted proposal from Entergy of "wage increases on top of average pay of more than $122,000 a year, medical benefits, and annual incentive awards that average $3,400 per employee" The plant is operating safely, "The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which oversees plant safety, said it reviewed Entergy’s contingency plan for running the plant without the union workers. The NRC also has inspectors on site to ensure the plant is operating safely." More fear and paranoia knocked down by the facts.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,083 Points:1,621,355 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 9:00:34 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse No surprise that you have not read the article sodapop queen. The nuclear plant workers at Pilgrim have never walked off the job. They are too professional and intelligent to do such a careless and cavalier act. On the other hand, the corporate executives of Entergy are so arrogant that they have walked out of contract negotiations as soon as the plant operators existing 4 year contract ran out! The executives immediately escorted all plant workers out of this nuclear power plant and replaced them with a skeleton staff of Entergy executives/managers from their other seven nuclear power plants down South and in Texas. If you have an Entergy nuclear power plant near you, you should start losing some sleep!!! Again doc, like granitestater, if you can't read the article, please get your dog to do it for you before you make false and misleading comments!
36_ACRES_4_SALE All-Star Author Appleton Posts:999 Points:338,815 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 8:34:43 PM Ignore 36_ACRES_4_SALE Report Abuse :P
drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:8,939 Points:751,985 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 8:13:28 PM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse "When you reserve the right to walk off the job at anytime you give the other side the right to lock you out." Very well said playtimeCLE. The way I see it, these union thugs, by walking off their jobs, are the ones putting the plant and the public at risk. Wisconsin wished up, when will the rest of the pro-union throngs?
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:9,992 Points:1,740,860 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 8:11:29 PM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse this means that a bunch of individuals not fully familiar with this plants' operational nuances are now in control? of a plant they are operating mostly by the seat of their pants... and these are the folks that the current owner of the plant thinks are okay to secure your collective futures.... generate your own electric and cut these bums off from your cash support before they nuke you and the rest of us too...
pumaMN Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,553 Points:337,015 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 7:31:09 PM Ignore pumaMN Report Abuse ok
RAE344 Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,059 Points:660,545 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 7:11:01 PM Ignore RAE344 Report Abuse Never could understand why people strike. The should be happy to have a job. At one point in time, Unions had a place, now they are the symbol of greed.
fracknsave Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,666 Points:58,000 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 6:13:39 PM Ignore fracknsave Report Abuse Kinda reminds me of when Reagan fired all the 'union' air traffic controllers and business went on as usual.
bandannaman Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,849 Points:365,610 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 5:45:28 PM Ignore bandannaman Report Abuse Union = greed.
buckets42 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,690 Points:329,550 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 5:42:53 PM Ignore buckets42 Report Abuse Fire the bums.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,083 Points:1,621,355 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 4:50:05 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse More like Corporate thugs. Executives running/operating a nuclear power plant after locking out the fully trained operators. Unheard of and extremely dangerous. The 'managers' from Entergy are not familiar with this plant and are ill equipped to handle the problems of now ancient components at this plant that are not replaced on a routine basis. The new corporate philosophy appears to be run an old and outdated nuclear power plant into the ground at the lowest expense possible on both materials and labor. Good luck if you live near one of Entergy's nuke plants.
Tacodan Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,313 Points:653,215 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 4:12:04 PM Ignore Tacodan Report Abuse Right To Work !
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,182 Points:2,370,395 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 3:48:58 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse union thugs
kag2010 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:5,249 Points:1,018,785 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 3:23:53 PM Ignore kag2010 Report Abuse ok
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,712 Points:1,690,905 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 3:07:45 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse I fixed the valves at TMI. "putting public safety at risk" is B/S scare tactics. Nobody operates anything without training, experience and recertification. A union card is not a requirement however.
Pramodsharma Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,974 Points:385,890 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 3:06:44 PM Ignore Pramodsharma Report Abuse ok
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,083 Points:1,621,355 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 2:48:01 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse At a nuclear power plant that only managers are now running playtime??? Sure! Do you recall Three Mile Island out your way? Even with experienced and qualified operators they had a meltdown!
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,083 Points:1,621,355 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 2:46:03 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse An astonishing and dangerous move by Entergy when the just received an incredible ok from the NRC to extend the operation of this outdated plant for an additional 20 years! Now Entergy is running the plant without experience and fully trained operators. They have simply brought in managers from their 11 other nuclear power plants to perform operator and technician/engineering duties at the Pilgrim Plant. If you have any vacation plans to visit Cape Cod, Plymouth Rock, or Boston, please wait until Entergy either shuts down this now dangerous nuclear power plant or brings its real plant operators back in from this unbelievable lockout.
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,550 Points:1,542,425 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2012 2:44:22 PM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse When you reserve the right to walk off the job at anytime you give the other side the right to lock you out.