Lockout Extends to Third Week
20 days into the lockout, union workers are still picketing outside Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.
Photos
Local 369 union workers have been locked out of the Pilgrim Power Plant in Plymouth for 20 days and with the latest contract proposal voted down, the number of protesters outside of Entergy’s gate has shrunk.
While part of the numbers may have to do with the heatwave the region has been through, it also has to do with coverage, according to Kelly O’Brien, a member of the union’s Negotiating Committee.
"We’re requiring seven days a week coverage. We know we need to give people a break to spend some time with their families, to get a chance to do what they have to do to take care of their business," O'Brien told WATD. "At of the end of this week, people will be losing their medical coverage so they have to do what they have to do with that," said O’Brien.
Of 226 union members, 137 voted against a contract last Wednesday. Only 39 percent of union workers voted in favor of accepting the contract.
O’Brien was stationed at the power plant’s gate on Rocky Hill Road Friday where only seventeen protesters walked the line, but he said the low turnout isn’t a reflection of the split vote.
According to O’Brien, the latest proposal by Entergy would increase a worker’s share of health care costs from 25 to 30 percent without an increase in wages to compensate the difference.
But he said they’re not giving up on a fair contract with Entergy, "We’re willing to stay at the table and work this thing out."
Entergy officials have stated that the company believes that federal mediation will end the lockout.
Tom McCoy
6:49 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Come on Entergy. You aren't rich enough? The average person on both sides of the line is just trying to maintain. If you're not for the well being of the average worker you're probably against your average customer. They need to hold the line against the rising Cost of living. Prove people wrong, Stop acting like a heavy handed tyrant. Your reputation should be worth the few cents a share.
Bee Wright
8:32 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Pilgrimpower.com (Entergy)
Economics
• Pilgrim power is one of the lowest cost power sources available.
• Makes a total economic impact on the area of $145 million
• Hires 650 permanent employees on average
• Pays $55 million in annual payroll
• Allots $2.6 million to emergency planning
• Pays $8.5 million in state and local taxes
• Contributes $350,000 to community
Annual payroll $55,000,000.00 divided by 650 (employees) equals and average salary of $84,615.38, including all employees; union and management. The figures don’t add up to the average 369 union employee making $122,000.00 as Carol Wightman Entergy’s PR spokeswoman for Entergy been quoted as saying..
Entergy makes a million dollars a day, equaling $365,000,000.00 a year from Pilgrim and only $145,000,000.00 stays in Massachusetts. Where does the rest go?
joe legion
8:56 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
The rest goes to Top Management people like Wayne Leonard(CEO) $18.2 million Dollars last year. The list goes on and on of over paid executives.
Bill
3:39 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
1 million a day in revenues not profit you then have to take out all the O+M costs including salaries and all benefits. So a lot more then 145 mil stays right in MA.
citizen1
5:17 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
you forgot ovetime. and entergy is not making a million dollars a day, get your facts straight.
Ernie Douglas
11:11 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
The Union vastly overplayed their hand and now has the lockout they wanted. Management is running the plant safely. Whenever the mediator is ready, talks can resume. My guess is September.
Ouie Boscoe
11:23 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Maybe sooner Ernie. It only took Exelon 11 weeks to tame the Union at Oyster Creek.
And Entergy only needs to get 25 more people to wake up at Pilgrim.
Ernie Douglas
12:57 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Meanwhile from the UWUA Irony Department: donations are being solicited to subsidize the union and the picketers. Good luck with that! http://massjwj.net/news/update-pilgrim-nuclear-power-plant
Ernie Douglas
1:42 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
The Socialist Worker's Party joins anti-nuclear activists in supporting Local 369. You know you are on the wrong side when Cape Downwinders and Socialist Party hacks support you. Here's an interesting article from the Socialist Worker Party website. Predictably it rails against the company but also has harsh words for UWUA leadership.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/jun2012/ente-j22.shtml
Ouie Boscoe
6:41 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
And worse yet Barry Obama was in the area yesterday and didn't stop by to give his support. Didn't he say he would walk with his fellow union members.
Ernie Douglas
4:48 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Talks resume Friday. Now that the company has proven they can run the plant safely for 4 weeks and the union has had a taste of reality, maybe there will be a swift vote and approval. Hope so.
Ernie Douglas
5:04 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Offer was ratified 141-67. Guys will start processing in tomorrow. Everyone back in normal roles Wednesday morning.