This was contributed anonymously in a comment in another post and deserves
to be brought to the top.
It is the short speech the gentleman gave after Miller presentation>
Is he the only one with guts to speak his mind in public? is he the only one convinced we have been sc....ed?
any others?
Thank you for your courage!
"Hello there. Thank you very much for speaking to us.
At this point, I don't really have a question but I just kinda want to
invoke my right as a us citizen to make a very brief statement. I know other people want to speak so I won't take up anybody's time but I just kinda want to sort of convey as best I could the feeling that myself and a lot of other coworkers are making or feeling right now. because it is a very important and trying time. but anyway in the coming months, bechtel will be placing more visible emphasis on safety issues. Statements will be made that bechtel's concern for the safety of their employees is not compliance driven, but rather done because they care for the people that work with them. What betchel officials fail to grasp is that caring for people is not something that can be achieved by issuing a proclamation. It is something that must be demonstrated by everyday loyal and trustworthy actions.
It does not seem reasonable to believe that becthel would care about slips, trips, and falls while simultaneously engaging in actions which sharply increase the probability of their employees to suffer strokes, heart attacks and home foreclosures unless there were compliance or financial motives behind their actions. What the actions of bechtel have displayed to this point is that of a ruthless and inflexible institution.
Loyal llnl employees are being layed off to suffer the consequences for the miscalculations, last second realizations, and buyer's remorse of betchel officials. The state of California offers a workshare program that would save our operation 10s of millions of dollars in each of the next 2 years and avoiding the laying off of a single individual.
The refusal of this solution convinces me that our betchtel leaders are nothing more than school yard bullies who have grown up. Unfortunately, they are not satisfied with stealing our lunch money. They want nothing less than to rob as many people as possible of their careers and pensions.
Bechtel, if you truly care for the people who work for you, it is now time to put up or shut up. Actions speak louder than words."
26 comments:
Wow, someone actually stood up and said that in front of LLNS officials and a LLNL audience? Amazing!
I'm surprised they didn't cut him off.
It was a bold move to be sure. I am not sure it was well received. After all, this is a job not a democracy.Unfortunately, when you are employed by someone other than yourself, you often times have to mind your p's and q's. It wasn't career enhancing. The complete silence at the conclusion of his remarks would suggest the audience too knew better than to draw attention to themselves.On the other hand ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Yes he is the only one at LLNL with guts. Maybe we've just found the next SPSE president who has the balls to go to Washington, DC and tell the senators and congressman just how it is and what's going on INSIDE the complex. Hats off buddy. You're one of the few good men left in America. Can't say anything good about those who where sitting in the same room with you. I think they're what we use to call less than desirables or aka annelids. You had a lot of people outside that room cheering for you and the words out. If they go to fire you for any reason take them to court. It will most likely be because you stood up to them and THEY don't like people that do that. They want followers. Go for the throat or better yet the gonads and let them bleed to death. It's hard to put a turnicate around those bad boys without inducing pain.
GM was wise not to cut him off, though I'm certain it crossed his mind. He was already too far into his speech, so cutting him off would have only led credence to the basic point he was making about craptel.
I think GM's conscience was seared as well - if he indeed has one.
The lab in the past had prided itself on allowing anyone to voice their opinion without penalty--the University model.
Today we are entrenched in the corporate model, and the only counter to that would be organized employees. But it will take employees losing all their rights and dignity before it sinks in and any sort of action to happen. This is no longer the "old and proud lab", and the scientific community will suffer from the loss.
Miller always wanted to be in charge, and now he is the leader of the demise of the lab.
"Is he the only one with guts to speak his mind in public? Is he the only one convinced we have been sc....ed?"
he is the only one out of 8000 that has the nerve to speak for the mass majority. The rest are cowards including myself. I'd prefer to post here and let the world see what is going on ( anon ). I've also taken the time after the viewing talk in Washington and GM's tap dance of non-full truths to invite every congressman and women to visit one particular topic on the blog . That topic would be entitled April Testimony Reveals Culprit where they to can listen to the testimony. It's my hopes they'll send this URL to all representatives nationally so they too may understand the consequences of privatizing the national labs, and shortly afterwards execute an order to pull the contracts out from under LANS and LLNS, directing those in charge to head for the bread lines of _unemployment_ pursuant to forfeiture of all retirement and medical benefits due . This is the worse CF I've seen in my entire life. It's as if those who authorized the two labs to go privatized were in fact undercover KGB agents working for the goal of destroying the nations nuclear complex. If I were the FBI I would seriously consider running a sting operation and check the back ground extensively of each member of these LLC just for pure self satisfaction of finding any unknown acquaintances or discoveries that may reveals such an involvement.
I doubt it is KGB. If the FBI really wants to look, they should trace the New World Order Agents through the Bush Administration down to NNSA and LLNL and back up through Betchtel. I suspect a large string of people with a desire to destroy America for the benefit of the themselves and the Elite.
Sorry, that guy reminded me of the unibomber. While I may agree with what he said, his demeanor made him look like kind of a wacko.
April 19, 2008 9:05 PM
Ah, but he did what no one else inclduing myself had the guts to do and he was correct in all aspects of his points and delivery. Political correctness is out the window. It's time for action.
Frankly I felt sorry for him. Not sure who encouraged him, but I wouldn't call them friends of the poor guy.
We collectively can't even decide who to blame. We've blamed the president, congress, DOE, NNSA, the LLNS partners,and even each other. We see it as a well planned conspiracy formulated by experts, a fiasco planned idiots, or just a plain failed bureacracy.
Some see a union as our saviour, others don't trust anyone enough to think we can be successful at anything.
What a mess.
"his demeanor made him look like kind of a wacko"
He was probably psychologically harassed by management like so many other people have been. Many people around the lab have that same kind of look. shell-shock from violence against them.
I hope they don't try to torture him. I can list all the tactics they use on employees like him, if you like.
He had the guts to speak up, but unfortunately doesn't have a clue. UC, NNSA, DOE, and Congress bear as much or more responsibility as Bechtel. It may comfort some to have a focus of their frustration, even if misplaced.
On the conclusion "Miller always wanted to be in charge, and now he is the leader of the demise of the lab." I'm guessing the GM isn't having a great time. To me, he's looking like one big patsy for the NNSA et. al. , and probably needs to raise his hand to ask permission to go to the bathroom.
The guy looked and acted like a jerk, and he appears to be clueless about who is responsible for what.
April 20, 2008 12:48 PM
Looks isn't everything. The bottom line is this. He had a lot more guts then you'll ever have. ULM can go right straight to devils house and I hope the heat is turned up and never subsides. May you all burn, baby burn.
You on the other hand DID NOTHING and probably never will.
If you are ULM of any of those companies, pack your butt up and go back where you came from. I hope someone cleans you socks before this all ends.
April 20, 2008 12:48 PM
I agree. Classical conspiracy theorist.
"I hope they don't try to torture him. I can list all the tactics they use on employees like him, if you like."
This should be good for a laugh. Please list the "torture" tactics.
"Yes he is the only one at LLNL with guts"
Or he might be the only buffoon at LLNL. Personally, I think he made a fool of himself.
April 19, 2008 1:53 PM
Be aware. The Lab has instituted random drug testing.
ULM would have liked to handle it this way but they were smart. Kind of reminds me of the 1960 Vietnam protest.Check this out
April 20, 2008 7:23 PM
Love these posts by outsiders. Makes me appreciate why I went to work at the lab. Too many crazies out there.
April 20, 2008 1:28 PM
Why don't you and all the other whiners pack your bags and leave. If you are not happy here, why are you staying? If you have seniority, you are just bumping someone else who probably wants to work here.
One thing I'v learned over the years is that good people will always find a job. Maybe that's why you are staying.
"Why don't you and all the other whiners pack your bags and leave"
Much better to stay and fight, like other LLNL employees did in the 70's. Wasn't that how SPSE was started? They didn't just back down and leave.
"I hope they don't try to torture him. "
I mispoke. I meant Harass. UC style.
April 20, 2008 9:09 PM
I'll buy that.
It was very uncomfortable sitting in the auditorium with this speech. There was no way anyone could respond to it, particularly in that forum.
SPSE can sabre rattle all they want, they are not under contract to LLNS - so how can they claim to have any impact? They have the same rights and standings as any organization or club - they speak on behalf of the members. As they don't have a labor contract with LLNS - I find their tactics misleading and untruthful.
I would like them to stop interferring with the business of LLNL/LLNS and go away - as a professional I don't need or want their help. Even if laid off - I don't want their help.
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