I agree and what p!sses me off is that it was Canadian customs that told me the above in my previous post. I just want to get the d@mn act in writing so I know what i am dealing with since I cannot get a standard answer. Basically if I get stopped I am just gonna hop on the phone with Nexus and tell them that I am checking in as we speak...was a last minute idea to go to Canada! :D

Twins....Really?

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/...l/c941e5ac.jpg

Dave

Well, living the good life here at work, I mean literally LIVING here. Our union workforce went out on strike, they couldn't come to agreement with the company over the contract so they walked. We all didn't think it would happen but it did.

So, myself and many other management workers are sequestered here at the nuke plant 24-7 so as not to have to cross the picket lines. It's quite peacefull so far.

No idea how long this may last since niether side is bending at all. Talks are to resume tomorrow.

This is really strange. I'm working 12 hours then sleeping on an air mattress in an office while another group works the other 12 hours. I've got a pretty good little nest set up but it's fricken wierd sleeping here. I missed a beautiful weekend for boating. My upcoming vacation time is in jeopardy since I may still be living here. This blows!!!!

The only boating I'll be doing is following what all you goofs are doing on OSO.

So, just when you think your job sucks, consider that I now have to live at my job. But don't you worry, we'll keep pumping out dependable, clean nuclear power!!!!!!

Bird, so you're hot racking 12/12 with a bunch of Homer Simpson's running a nuke plant, cool. If it goes too long we'll get the Formula nation to pull up to the warm water and bail you out. That sucks Dude!! Missed a good weekend up north, we ran the canadian channel to Wellesly and no issues,actually very little traffic. Didn't see any Canadian water cops until we were back on the american side by Boldt Castle. Axa of course, was yelling at them asking if they were checked in, MFers....:bsflag:

Gotta love the Union mentality!!! Personally I find it hard to believe that any job at a Nuc would leave a man begging for change on a corner to make ends meet. In these times WTF are these people thinking? Sorry to hear that you end up on the dirty end of their chit stick.

To add to 5P's report, started off with the loop over to Rockport, thru Ivy Lea then up past Wellesley to the Gan narrows, back thru the Bay, crossed over to Rockport and ran the north channel to Brockville Narrrows this afternoon, not a water cop to be seen, was just like the old days. :drink: What a wonderfull, event free day on the water.

not actually living here...but pretty frickin close!
here on my 5th 12 overnight in a row. Though I do get to travel the 6.2 miles and sleep in my own bed!

stayed up this am and scrubbed down and painted another 900 sq. ft. of steel...
4 hours of shut eye and back at the madnes that is the ER in July, at night...
I used to take summers off, now I remember why!
and will again
damn partner and his blown shoulder!

That is funny .... I don't care who you are !!!! everytime I walked by her she would say.....

"Really !?"


:lolhit:

Jeff

Really Twins?

I heard this weekend there are some rules you will be held to next time you visit the Boathouse.

1) You must have Mute button installed.
2) You must wear a PFD on the docks at all times.
3) You must be equipted with a Soap on a Rope.

Not real clear on #3, assume it has something to do with water polution, must be a new DEC ruling. Did notice a funky waterline ring on the Biotch, so I guess they might be on to something. In any event, the Dockmaster has spoken!

Picket lines are getting ugly. 200-250 angry people at a time out there. Verbal abuse is pretty bad, we've heard of a few cars hit with picket signs and some picketers leaning over hoods and windshields and throwing coffee and "other" liquids on cars. Not good!!! I suppose it can only get worse.

My stay at Hotel Nine Mile is over tomorrow at 1800. Off until Sunday at 0600. Looking forward to getting out of here for a while.

Stay focused there Homer! If you need to play the "Senator Powell" card, go ahead. Put me in coach! Hang in there buddy!

Dave

The sad thing is these same azzholes who have no respect for others personal property will be working right next to you once this is over.

Don't you worry about me and your three rules .... you should more concerned with your cross dressing skills when you drink bourbon.

I am pretty sure the farmer doesn't wear high heels. This is becoming a regular occurance for you.

Must be a Fountain thing .....

The worst part is you still can't look at any of the Formula Nation eye to eye yet ..... even with the 6" risers you were wearing .....

As far as the mute button ..... did you install another idiot button beside yours keys on your boat to prevent you from firing your motors up "afterhours" ........

Really!!!


:lolhit:


Jeff

dont sound so wierd to me .....:drink:

do it all the time .....Hurricane's .....ect .....

well .......sorta ..... coal and CFB's ........:evilb:

Not my three rules, had nothing to do with their origins. Could be new Nation rules far as I know.

I'll admit I could never approximate water depth past 5 feet, but why would I want to do that?
And why in the middle of the night???

As a Formula Nation guy you do stand tall on the dock, and on the river bottom, so I hear.

You're right Mike, the way these guys are acting, it will never be the same when they come back - if they come back.

We hear the Union leadership, who by the way do not work there and are still getting paid by the Union, are telling these guys how to behave and what to do. These guys are picketing the wrong audience. We don't have any sway or power what happens whatsoever. And, there is not one single temporary worker over there performing a union job. We're all management filling in. There are contractors working on engineering projects but they were there before the strike and they are not performing union labor jobs. They call us scabs and they don't even know what the definition of a scab is. It's actually kind of embarassing to watch them. There is no public traffic to speak of at the entrance to the plant where they're picketing so they're getting zero public exposure. They should be hopping busses and picketing in Baltimore in front of the corporate office.

This whole protest is totally misguided and misdirected. It's a wonder some of those guys don't see this and confront their leadership and say WTF!!! They're not going to win any concessions the way they are going about it. And, there are several that won't be treated well if they return. I know who they are and so do many others. Several of them are being total a-holes and that's how we'll treat them if they return.

I had sympathy for them at the beginning, that is fast turning to disgust. Phukin jerks!!!!!!!

What you're describing here seems to be becoming more the norm. Personally I think the days of the union need to be gone. Way too many leaders living large on the backs of the members. I just can't understand why they fail to see that these leaders of theirs cost them more than the benefit they gain.

I believe this country has moved past the point where workers are abused, and past the point where unions are of any real value. It's sad to see that these members apparently can not think for themselves. Recieving a raise, a benefit, etc was once the result of one's effort to do a good job, to be of value to one's employer. Not some presumed God given right based on a union card. People wonder why jobs are going overseas. I know the first respone is always because it's cheaper, ever think that companies might just be fed up with the constant union demands and drama?

I assume the plant is still operating?
If so, where is the value of those at the gate?
Makes one wonder!

I agree Pete. I've made it through my 30 year nuclear career by my own abilities, initiative, and choices. I've never been a union member and don't need some else sticking up for me. Until now, my union friends have been just that, friends that chose (or more commonly fell into) union positions. No big deal, they're union, I'm not. It was never an issue even when I was supervising my union friends. We all had a job to do and we did it.

It's differnent now, these guys are turing this into a fight. Well, bring it on. I'll still be there making money while they are not.

You're right that unions have outlived their need to exist. We all understand that there was a time when unions were necessary. Now, they just breed and support slugs. Now, before all of you represented workers out there jump all over me, I have many union friends over there that are highly qualified and professional. But, those guys carry the slugs. If I were a slug, I'd have been gone long ago. And, it's the slugs that are acting the worst out there on the picket line. Why? Because without this union-backed job, they couldn't keep a street sweeping job without getting fired.

I personally think the smart, qualified, and self-respecting union guys out on the line should break with the union and come back to work as management mechanics, I/C techs, and electricians, etc. They will be paid just as well as they are now because they possess the unique qualifications nuclear work requires. I believe it is the company's goal to break this union and the company would certainly hire back those that want to come back non-union. Then, they can make their own way and be rewarded for what they do individually. That would be a huge cultural shift for these guys but hey, that's just the way it is. Adapt or become obsolete.

Bird I feel for you and have to agree on the union nonunion issues. Maybe you guys should drag in some of those X new process guys and introduce them to your union guys. Other news on the union front they just anounced that they closed American Axle (Detroit) and it's being moved to Mexico. So I guess the big question is are the unions trying to expidie outsourcing? Cause they are doing a great job of it. Hang in there, it'll all be worked out before you know it. Just to be safe you may want to take up a spanish for dummies course :-)

Thanks for the thoughts Stepper. Spanish lessons, you might be right!!!:drink:

One good thing though, I work 4 -24's then I have 4-24's off. It's really not such a bad deal!!! Gonna do some domestic chores today then spend the next three on the boat. And, the company is paying us for all hours, not just the working hours, plus time and a half over forty. That's a lot of paid hours per week. Maybe I can fill the boat up.:eek:

Bird hang in there. Growing up there and watching my dad work as non-union mgt out at the plants, he was miserable. As soon as he hopped in the car and started driving to work every day to Syracuse 50+ miles one way he never looked back. We just went through massive State layoffs here in CT because the Unions wouldn't concede. Union leadership need to start wising up and looking at the lay of the land in this country on how businesses run now not 100 years ago.

Did you mean he worked over at Nine Mile?

yeah ---was Stone & Webster then NIMO and then he went to Syracuse with NIMO and is with Nat. Grid now

let's get something straight...
corporate greed and larger profits and dividends for the few is many, many times over responsible for outsourcing.
Of course the favored cry of the greedy corporate structure to the media is always "labor costs"

I'm no union flag waver and would be working regardless, I assure you, based on skill and work ethic, been scouted for mangement based upon overall performance and organizational skills
but for now, in the present...

why should I accept a scale raise more than 2% less than the annual cost of living increases, pay the entire % of health insurance increase, and be asked to do more, take more risk and responsibility upon myself and my professional standing...
while I watch the co. literally throw money away one boondoggle after another?

increase salaries, performances bonuses, cover more of the health care cost, and find new desks for more people all the time while I work in a dangerous and understaffed environment?
I can't name a half dozen managers who have touched a patient in the last ten years, for most it's 20 years and yet handling patients is what generates the revenue!!

did I tell you about the gangbanger who came to my room and behind closed doors for an exam with a loaded handgun in his coat?
because the co. doesn't think (actually doesn't want the public to know what we know) that we need a metal detector especially in the ER!
answer: "we can't afford one and it sends the wrong message"
right, and the message your sending is that you don't give a fukk about the people out on the tile generating the revenue...
our ER saw the same volume as Upstate and Crouse last year and believe me, alot of the same type of patient!
but some staff will have to get shot or stabbed before anything is done we know that
while all the bloated middle mangement has once a month catered all-day "retreats" with pay?
what does that cost?
you need to pay me more than you did last year, not less to do more uglier volume and take more risk...
yup. our talks have stalled also...

Quote "did I tell you about the gangbanger who came to my room and behind closed doors for an exam with a loaded handgun in his coat?"

OK, 1. That's disturbing on a number of levels, what kind of exam? :asskiss: Is the loaded handgun a metaphor?

Are we now saying Bird is "The Man" aka management scumbag? Personally, I like the dude. Enjoy your 4 days and get to the frickin' bay sometime soon.

Wonder what the union bosses are paying the picketers? My bad, that's on of the rights they have as the rank and file, they get to picket for free.

Respectively dissagree. Major problem for manufacturers in this country today is finding a work force with the drive, dedication, and skills to get the job done.

I'm a firm believer in performance bonuses, I pay my subs more than any other contractor in this area in the same biz. One subs "good job done" bonus last year would fuel my boat for the next three seasons. This year every other word out of his mouth is "Will this be an extra?". I explained to him the other day that in four years, close to seven figures, working for this customer there has never been any such thing as an "extra" on my part. Therefore not looking good for him. In sharp contrast to the other sub on site that when asked to do something now simply says "OK" and gets it done.

The "Extra" guy is on the union rated job, the other is not. Go figure.

Cost of living is something we all deal with, health insurance is an individual cost, secure retirement is an indivudual responsibility, none of these should be the responsibility of any employer. When employees begin to think that every personal financial responsibility of theirs is an obligation of their employer it's a downhill slide. And just where are we now?

This country, our economic system, was founded and flourished on the principal that one could work hard, work smart, or just chit luck out and make it without having to share the fruits with every dumb azz that failed to do the same. Why should I be entitled to a slice of your pie? Why should you be entitled to a slice of mine?

Sorry for the rant, just too deeply involved in this rated wage mentality chit this summer. I just believe that a decent job with decent pay is a privilege these days, not a right.

OK, we can debate this a bit. Why should you just EXPECT a pay raise to keep up with inflation? You should get a raise based on your individual worth, not based on some 5 year agreement. Now, I'm certainly not saying you Randy shouldn't get a raise or that you're work is not worth it. And I also don't think you were referring to me as a useless middle-management freeloader as Mike may have perceived your comment. But, if you don't think you're getting a good deal pay or insurance wise, then you go out on your own a seek out a better deal - based on your individual capabilities and expertise. You shouldn't expect automatic increases in compensation.

Believe me, I see the same waste you see. The crap we spend money on is just ridiculous. My insurance costs go up every year, it's a broken system that is just out of control. But, you can't (shouldn't) expect your insurance costs to stay static while everyone elses goes up. The same with your pay, if I don't think I'm being compensated well enough for my services, I need to move on, get a better deal, make it on my own. You should and can do the same.

Having a contracted collective agreement where everyone gets automatic raises is insane if you really think about, it's outdate and it breeds slugs that hop on for the ride.

I know you, I know how you are, I know you're not one of the slugs. That's just all the more reason you should reach out on your own and make your own decissions. I'm actually surprised that you would follow sheep in line, you are a very independent person. But, I also understand that the job you have just happens to a represented position.

You can't really do anything about what management decides to do or spend money on unless of course you want to join those ranks and try to change things. I consider myself an independent contractor making my way through this whole employment gig, and I've done well on my own. Never been represented and never want to be. I'll make my own calls and I'll leave if I don't like it.

Thanks Mike, the boat is going in soon!!!

I don't think Randy was referring to me as a management scumbag, he was just making a point. It's all good.

As for the gun in the ER, Randy, you should have cranked up the zoomies on the exray machine and boiled his guts!!!

PM me his (your) name, I probably know him, I've been over there for 26 years.

I want one of them 96 hour paychecks! Do one of those weeks in our union shop over a wkend and you'd get paid for 166 straight hours!

I never said anything like "management scumbag"
actually my two bosses are good guys, think the world of me, treat me very well on every level available without boiling themselves.
My immediate supervisor called me yesterday in fact to schedule taking me out to lunch off campus. Just for 5inch I'll say my response was to laughing tell him to wear something nice, he said he'd wear the little green dress I'm so fond of...
but a very, very broken system for sure.
point is about the $ is that they pass along a greater portion of increased net allocated to payroll to those who aren't (in my business) actually doing the job that gets charged for! In the form of larger raises, larger bonuses and higher % of insurance paid for including increases.

Let me ask- why do they deserve or expect that when I don't, or shouldn't?
(no knock on you 'Bird, and thnx for the kind words)
Any management types care to answer?

I have been offered to run an affiliated off campus clinic, move up and out of the union at the hospital...
my reason for staying in the rank and file is the schedule period.
OK and somewhat the adrenaline factor!

and mr B. I never said that every personal financial responsibility was my employers responsibility
little embellishment there?
wonder if 5inch and 'Bird have any company contributions/funded retirement?
If so, include them in your generalization reference to "entitlement" thinking.

I also support my own "financial responsibilities" in terms of retirement, have done very well regardless of the economy in just ten years. Started late, have had to be aggressive.

One of those 6 figure or larger CEO bonuses would go along way toward paying those happy, productive, hard-workers you speak of...and allowing the American dream to continue en mass in the suburbs as opposed to in just those few houses on the hill!
yea,
labor costs are breaking America's back
and third-world thinking like yours that you should be happy to have a job and forget the American dream of a "comfortable" life that can be maintained
I'm sure all the child laborors, adults working a hundred hours a week for a pittance living in shacks and one room apartments are quite "comfortable" while your margin on their backs gets larger...
this is apparently what you want for us as well.
corporate/management thinking in a nutshell.

Wel I do agree with Birds last post. He's hit it on the head!

I'm not tossing a stone in your yard Randy. I'm far from a mega corp monger making my livelyhood off the backs of the poor down troden of the planet. I'm just saying that here in this country I do believe the day of the union's worth have come to an end. The sweat shops of days past are gone, many laws now govern the relationship between employer and employee. The entire union deal is just a huge cash grab for union leaders. Talk about a dog CEO living on the back of the masses. Union big chit retirements funded close to 100% while the rank and file are sub 20%. How's that working for you?

There are a lot of segments of our society that get my dander up. Unions just happen to be one of them. Government is another, wonder why that is going to hell in a handcart on every level these days. Welfare? Now there is a great social blunder, help out the unfortunate in their time of need, works for me! Third generation making it their career! Not real good in my book. I could go on, but won't.

The years of stupidity in this country are over in my opinion. I believe that we are in a period where people will come back to some real values. It will be a major culture shock for some that have been living large for quite a while. The well taned man in DC may be doing his best to convince us all is well, truth is things are not. The work / jobs are just not out there. If you have one, it pays a fair wage, I believe you are amoungst the lucky ones. So why would you let some chit head, making 3 times as much as you, convince you to leave your job and sit on a picket line in defense of your rights. What rights? Your right to be stupid? To forego you paycheck? To cause hardship for your family? Ah! The right to a bigger paycheck, a bigger union due, and more money in the pocket of the Union.

If you are good at what you do people will see that. People will place value in you and your ability and likely will reward you for that. It is not something you need fight for. It is a very simple base principal of human nature. I am a firm believer that if one feels they are underapperciated or undrepayed one can make the choice to strike out and better their lot in life. Far as I know there is no law that prohibits one in saying "I am moving on", "My future lies elsewhere". For me there is a real rub when it comes to the "You owe me" mentality. Sorry, just the way I view things.

For what it's worth I do consider myself to be very lucky in these times. I work my azz off every day to keep myself there, to make happen what people trust me to make happen, just the way it is! Even if I don't get a cost of living increase in the process.

Say what you can do! Do what you say! Be happy when they belive in you and give you the opportunity! Be happier when they ask you to do it again because you did as you said you would do!!!

fair enough.

on another note check this out!

It appears Axa has an older cousin in Mo. :eek:

http://www.recycledpowersports.com/A...s#818be0765ca0

look at the pics closely. This really does appear to be fairly well-done and in nice condition.

Yep, good debate and good points by all. Lets drop it.


As for that 357 Rip, that truly does look like a nice rig. 35k didn't meet reserve, wonder what the reserve is. If it's as nice as it looks, it's worth 50 easily. However, I don't think the claimed 90 plus mph is realistic. I'd give it low 80's at best. But, that would be pretty nice in 13,000 pound wave crusher!!!!

I guess you're referring to Axa's cousin due to the bling factor, right?

Just for this situation, the company is giving us 1.5 times for all worked hours over 40. That doesn't include the non-working paid hours, that's straight time only. So, it works out to 106 paid hours for the week. Not bad. I appreciate the company trying to take care of us like this. They could have just said "get in here and work" and paid us nothing more than our regular salary hours. So, from my perspective and position, the company is treating us pretty well during this phuked up time. Of course, Uncle Sam will step in rape about 45 percent of it!!!:mad:

yes, the bling. Red specifically.

Does look pretty nice, pipes are something. CMI Big Tubes?


Love the Zoom, Zoom, Zoom deal.


Three blade props are cool. Axa is working his way down to threes one blade at a time.


P.S. Forgot. Fair enough back at you Rip!

Sounds like a fair deal. Not a lot of corporate greed showing there. Good for you.

Just tell yourself Uncle is stealing the sleepy time money. :drink:

Glad that's done. Bird, keep up the good work, and gas funding overtime. Get you azz up to the Bay!

Talked to Brett at BBlades today and they can repair the cracked blade! Good news, in the meantime, got the fassst 4 blades on.

Dave

Dave,
He most likely wont give you a guarantee, But just a little reassurance, I had him weld mine about 3 years ago and it's still holding up fine. Had a 1 inch crack on the trailing edge.