Blog purpose

This BLOG is for LLNL present and past employees, friends of LLNL and anyone impacted by the privatization of the Lab to express their opinions and expose the waste, wrongdoing and any kind of injustice against employees and taxpayers by LLNS/DOE/NNSA. The opinions stated are personal opinions. Therefore, The BLOG author may or may not agree with them before making the decision to post them. Comments not conforming to BLOG rules are deleted. Blog author serves as a moderator. For new topics or suggestions, email jlscoob5@gmail.com

Blog rules

  • Stay on topic.
  • No profanity, threatening language, pornography.
  • NO NAME CALLING.
  • No political debate.
  • Posts and comments are posted several times a day.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Is this true?

Well I heard (second hand) that workers at the Lab who change light bulbs can make as much as $58.00 an hour plus benefits plus possibly a pension (TCP-1). Is this true? Have we gone nuts!!! This is the upside world a Liberal union brings to our society. I do not think the Lab pays starting PHD's that. Next they will be giving campaign contributions to their liberal colleagues (Democrats)just to corrupt the system a little more. This is all from Democratic policies. Used to be Republicans were somewhat corrupt with Big Business but there is no question that the Democratic Party is by far the most corrupt. Oh I can't see my lights went out. Let me supply an account number to pay the poor union victim to come over and exhaust themselves changing my light bulb. Keep voting Democratic, it's ok they are for the workers.

45 comments:

S said...

It's interesting to see that this place runs on stupid claims and that those who make these stupid claims can't back up their claims with any facts because the highest union members make ~$44 an hour.
(There may be 20 who have the skills needed to have earned this rate)

FWIW One of those lying about this claim said that he'd supply a link and names of those making $58hr. I ask him for the link and the names and, needless to say, I'm still waiting.

Anonymous said...

Kind of doubt the number, but hey, whatever gives you an opening to start your rant. It would have been something.

Anonymous said...

Oh, it's definitely true. And the lady that slices the pizza at the cafeteria makes $75/hour.

And then there is the free valet parking for everyone. We're rollin' in the dough!

Anonymous said...

Maybe the wages are so high because it is hazard pay, I.e. higher risk of inhaling beryllium dust particles or ingesting Tritiated water. Or maybe because managers and supervisors are abusive and the lab prefers to entice people to take the abuse using wages rather than correcting management problems. Another form of hazard pay.

Anonymous said...

1) Are MUSD union workers making Davis-Bacon rates on certain jobs?
2) Did they get back pay for this?
3) What is the big secret?????
4) What is the rate for a Davis-Bacon job for an MUSD worker?
I do not know but it is way more than the $44 the above poster mentions.

Anonymous said...

I would add that there was an Akima job posting for a payroll specialist with Davis-Bacon experience.

An MUSD employee makes $60 an hour in wages on a Davis-Bacon job at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.

Anonymous said...

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE DAVIS BACON WAGE FOR WORKS AT LLNL GO TO DOL.GOV AND LOOK IT UP. OTHER WIS GET OF THE CRACK AND GET BACK TO WORK

S said...

It's fun to see some of you scramble because you can't back up your brain-dead hate with any facts because they're just too inconvenient.

So moving the goal posts is the new game? LOL

I'll play:

The highest Davis Bacon wage for a union member is <$50 and they only get that if and when they are doing the same work on the same job as the Akima folks that they are working the job with.

Some of you like to whine about outsourcing and IF and WHEN that happens those folks will get that rate on every job and they won't be adding to the retirement program you hope to benefit from.

So...be careful what you wish for.

For a place that considers itself one of the more intelligent places to work we sure have some stupid folks posting on the blog dedicated to the facility.

Have a nice weekend.
Try not to cut off your nose out of spite. LOL

Anonymous said...

What does it matter? Revolutions start this way. Demonize group in society and convince the majority of that then comes the ovens the firing squad or such.

POS

Anonymous said...

Take a look at "inserted" middle managers. They're the ones getting the big bucks for little service.

Anonymous said...

Revolutions start this way. Demonize group in society and convince the majority of that then comes the ovens the firing squad or such.

POS

February 7, 2014 at 4:59 PM

Man, you just can't wait for that to happen, can you? I bet if you hold your breath it will happen sooner.

Anonymous said...

I smell, do no work, union say pay me college professor money, bankrupt the lab.

Anonymous said...

Well, and that is the core of the problem. Most union members believe that college professors do nothing useful for their pay. After all, if I can make the same salary for doing something useful, like changing light bulbs, who needs colleges at all?

Anti-intellectualism is yet another side effect of the current administration's war against the rich.

Anonymous said...

Who ever said life was fair? If one has a doctorate degree and complains about someone else making $60 an hour to change a stupid light bulb it means they are smarter than you because they figured out how to achieve there monetary goal with a lot less effort. however if your passion is pure science then financial gain should not be of great concern. My suggestion is that you burn your degree and by a step ladder and start changing light bulbs. lol!
Im an ex Lab person and this blog site is hilarious to me. I read it out of pure entertainment. LOL!

Anonymous said...

"There" vs "their." Why should money not be of concern to research scientists? They have families to raise too. "By" vs "buy." "Im" vs "I'm." I am sure you are very amused. Evidently, you are a supporter (and a practitioner) of anti-intellectualism. Your lack of eighth-grade English skills sure makes your opinions valuable.

Anonymous said...

I like debating with idiotic, assuming SOB's such as yourself. First of all if you understood the point I was trying to make regarding ones thirst and love of the arts and science and that monetary reward is indeed secondary then you missed the boat entirely. Secondly to point out two mispellings made from a quick entry from a smartphone shows me you are grasping at staws. My point being is that if you think you are worth more than the lab is paying you then go learn how to act in a movie like Tom Cruse, dunk a basketball like Michael Jordan or paint like Vango becouse you wont get rich doing what you do bitching about it. Otherwise shut the f**k up!

Anonymous said...

Otherwise shut the f**k up!

February 12, 2014 at 9:55 PM

Ah, reasoned discourse. So enlightening. Thanks for your valuable contribution.

Anonymous said...

"Ah, reasoned discourse. So enlightening. Thanks for your valuable contribution.

February 13, 2014 at 8:48 AM"

Once again become Tom Cruise or STFU, the choice is clear. Call it enlightened discourse or whatever you like but it the truth.

Anonymous said...

Call it enlightened discourse or whatever you like but it the truth.

February 13, 2014 at 8:04 PM

So you think "Otherwise shut the f**k up!" is the truth??

Uh, ok. Whatever.

Anonymous said...

Once again become Tom Cruise or STFU, the choice is clear. Call it enlightened discourse or whatever you like but it the truth.

February 13, 2014 at 8:04 PM

Tom Cruise, the wimpy, short, talentless scientologist "actor"?? Your hero? HeHe. He's had relationships with about 5 of the most beautiful, incredibly talented women in the world, but he couldn't make any of them work because he is an egotistical, self-centered asshole. Oh yeah, great role model. Guess I'm not surprised.

Anonymous said...

February 13, 2014 at 9:55 PM

I simply used Tom Cruise as an example of someone who earns their money and power. My point is that you need to earn your money and not just say "I am so smart" give me money. My point could be about anyone, Bill Gates, Bill Murray, Bloomberg, Mike Tyson, Steve Jobs, Donald Trump. You can say what you want about them but they are more important and relevant than you ever will be. If you think you are worth more than go out and earn it so until then STFU.

Anonymous said...

If you think you are worth more than go out and earn it so until then STFU.

February 14, 2014 at 7:18 AM

You are funny. Such unwarranted assumptions about the people who respond to your rants. I "went out and earned it" while you were probably still in diapers. The people you mentioned aren't "important and relevant," just rich and famous. Every one of them has a reputation of being a complete jerk in personal life.

Anonymous said...

And shorties too!

Anonymous said...

Anti-intellectualism is yet another side effect of the current administration's ...

Duh, anti-intellectualism has been an American tradition for centuries. What do people of thought have to offer as compared to the calloused hands of practical experience?

Anonymous said...

What do people of thought have to offer as compared to the calloused hands of practical experience?

February 15, 2014 at 10:43

The mistake that many make is in thinking that intellectual people don't or can't have "calloused hands of practical experience." The two are not mutually exclusive, and those few who possess both are the ones who advance society and civilization.

Anonymous said...

"The two are not mutually exclusive, and those few who possess both are the ones who advance society and civilization.

February 15, 2014 at 1:44 PM"

I am calling bs on this. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates did it with hard work and practical know how. They did not have Phd's, hell they did not even complete college. They did far more for society and civilization than any single dam Phd ever did. Nuff said. What do you bet LLNL would not be in so much troble if we had more calloused hands of practical experience than so called intellectuals with college degrees.

Anonymous said...

"So-called intellectuals"? So you think there are real intellectuals, but just not at LLNL? Where then? Too bad your lack of education forbids you from seeing the value of education. It is not a solvable problem for you - you will always have that unfortunate blinder that keeps you from appreciating the beauty of knowledge that transcends your own personal experience. I'm sad for you.

Anonymous said...

"you will always have that unfortunate blinder that keeps you from appreciating the beauty of knowledge that transcends your own personal experience. I'm sad for you.

February 15, 2014 at 9:47 PM"

I know exactly what I am and what I need to see. If I cannot be an intellectual I will ridicule them. If I cannot be beautiful than I will worship ugliness. If you refuse to acknowledge my gifts I will scorn you for being blind. My rage is not fueled by bittiness it is fueled by a messed up world full fools and scoundrels that deny what is my due. In the end I do not care about what you think yet I cannot help but care. I have many names throughout history. Iago, Judas, Brutus, Beria, Nanos.

"If one good deed in all my life I did/I do repent it from my very soul" Aaron the Moor

Anonymous said...

I hereby adjudicate you mentally incompetent. You may no longer legally possess firearms. (Hope this works.)

The commenter on the Thursday, February 13, 2014 top post, at February 15, 2014 at 10:24 PM has you nailed in several of his points. Truly prophetic.

"If I cannot be an intellectual I will ridicule them." I think that sentiment is generally known as "sour grapes."



Anonymous said...

Why is it that every time someone says middle-class or union wages, they are always thrown under the socialism/communism bus! The great American lifestyle is/was based on a strong middle-class, not on the Lords and peasants of middle age England. What I am saying is that skilled American workers should get paid a decent middle class wage and not have to live the life of a peasant. So the owner of the company can live the life of a King. Capitalism doesn't sound that American when described as Lords and peasants does it?

Anonymous said...

Posting the same comment on multiple threads is dishonest, and just plain intellectually lazy.

Anonymous said...

" Posting the same comment on multiple threads is dishonest, and just plain intellectually lazy.

February 17, 2014 at 9:12 PM"

So what. Its a blog and there is no rules for honesty on a blog. Intellectually lazy? What kind of people do you think post on blogs?
The LLNL blog is no different than other blogs. If you don't like certain posts don't read them. Of course you free to post your point of view as well just like I did. Blogs are find but by now you should know not to take comments on them very seriously.

S said...

""There" vs "their." Why should money not be of concern to research scientists? They have families to raise too. "By" vs "buy." "Im" vs "I'm." I am sure you are very amused. Evidently, you are a supporter (and a practitioner) of anti-intellectualism. Your lack of eighth-grade English skills sure makes your opinions valuable."

LOL

When I first heard about this blog I was kind of excited by the idea that it would likely include a great deal of intelligent and thoughtful discourse about the various issues we find here at the labs. Unfortunately this place appears to have too many posters who don’t possess the degree of intelligence necessary for constructive or informative dialog so all we’re left with is their seemingly endless trolling with hate, exaggeration, false claims and 5th grade dialog as their only bait.

That said: The place appears to be a great place to laugh at people but it’s not good for much of anything beyond that…

FWIW – I don’t see this administration as any intellectual because they appear to embrace science and education over fantasy and ignorance.

Anonymous said...

I don't see them as any intellectual either.

S said...

"I don't see them as any intellectual either."

My bad!!

Anti-

Anonymous said...

I am surprised this post has not gotten more attention.
In response to @ Feb 7th 10:18
1. Yes they are getting Davis -Bacon on most jobs. This includes new construction and maintenance work.
2. Yes they received back pay. Some ranged from a few dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. It was paid out around the first of the year.
3. It is a secret because if this got out to everyone imagine the PR nightmare. We have received insulting pay increase for years and now the skilled crafts are receiving Davis-Bacon rates which in some cases are $10-15 more an hour then what they were earning before. Another reason to keep it quite is because this is going to bankrupt the Lab. There is now way the Lab can afford to pay these rates for maintenance work.
4. The rates are posted online. Each craft has a different rate. The rate includes an hourly pay rate and a fringe benefit amount. I just looked and an electricians hourly rate is $47.15 and 3%+$28.77 in fringe benefits. Employees on tcp1 and tcp2 would have a different pay rate because of the different benefit packages. I have heard that employees on tcp1 make more with Davis-Bacon rates because of a way the retirement benefits is calculated. Depending on the employees benefits and this would bring an electrician to approx. $58 plus an hour.

How do I know this? - I have a friend who still works there and has no reason to lie to me.

Anonymous said...

You are seriously confusing employees and subcontractors.

Anonymous said...

No I am not and I wish I was. You should talk to your fellow coworkers. Ask the next facilities person you have contact with. There is an area on all workorders for Davis -bacon work You will be amazed what you can learn id you ask them. If you wont ask a faciliies person then call payrol and ask them if any lab employees are eligble for Davis- Bacon wages. Also sub contractors are not eligible for TCP.

S said...

So now we're off to counting the salary and the benefits to determine an hourly pay rate?
(Perhaps we should look into how much the salaried folks make per hour worked using this same formula. LOL)

And it appears that making up odd claims that someone somewhere got "tens of thousands of dollars" in back pay and that Davis Bacon now includes the maintenance these shops do is the latest bit of bull that those who need to move the goal posts want to complain about.

The desperation of those with little to no skills appears to create the need to make stuff up.

It an ugly need but it's not all that surprising.

Anonymous said...

You are seriously confusing employees and subcontractors.

February 20, 2014 at 7:23 PM

I think he meant the part about unionized subcontractor workers (getting Davis-Bacon wages) qualifying for employee pensions (TCP1 or TCP2) - February 20, 2014 at 3:57 PM's point #4.

Anonymous said...

The desperation of those with little to no skills appears to create the need to make stuff up.

February 21, 2014 at 8:28 AM

Excellent, succinct description of labor unions.

S said...

"Excellent, succinct description of labor unions."

What are they making up? :ear

Anonymous said...

What are they making up?

February 21, 2014 at 2:29 PM

The need for union protection for the poor, downtrodden workers. The fact that over 90% of US private-sector workers are perfectly happy without a union (like the VW workers in TN), is an inconvenient fact for the corrupt union bosses, who much prefer "card checks" to actual secret-ballot elections.

S said...

"The need for union protection for the poor, downtrodden workers. The fact that over 90% of US private-sector workers are perfectly happy without a union (like the VW workers in TN), is an inconvenient fact for the corrupt union bosses, who much prefer "card checks" to actual secret-ballot elections."

Unions and union members understand that there’s strength in numbers.

There no need to “make up” that strength or the jobs security and bargaining power offer with that strength.

VW is an interesting item since it’s now acceptable for politicians to promote their desires through threats and coercion with no consideration of the desire of the parent company or the employees that the politicians scare into submission.

The country continues to change and thanks to folks like you it looks like the middle-class will continue the downslide that too many of you embrace.

S said...

I really should proof read my stuff BEFORE hitting the Publish button.

LOL

Posts you viewed tbe most last 30 days