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View Full Version : FPL - Penny Pinching again



Always listening
06-13-2006, 01:34 PM
Our great and powerful power company up to it again boys :cool: , penny pinching... same old game, new tricks. To save money, FPL has started a couple of new programs Post Secondary and Secondary. I have my sources for info on Post Secondary, Secondary deals with the high school kids, I can get more info on that later...Lets focus on P.S. :D . This program was geared toward kids just out of high school, this is not what they got. Instead they got a group of hungry middle aged guys trying to support their families. This program is a joint effort between FPL and Miami Lakes Ed. Ctr., it's a 10/12 month program. Starts off with an open house at M.L.E.C. about 630 people attended, from that 320 people were allowed to register for the standard CAST & Behavioral tests. The ones who passed were divided and put into two climbing schools of 20 people each. Well we know how climbing school works and a total of 18 people came out of that. These hungry few were paid $8 ph for climbing school. From that they start their 10/12 month program that they pay for $1200 ($2800 for next P.S.) hidden fees here and there, for 10 months they went to TMC Mon. - Fri. 7:30 to 3:30 unpaid! They completed all their basic demos at TMC, then when they think they are at the end of the tunnel (ha they don't know FPL), for 2 months they are put into service centers as Co-Ops, what's Co-Op you ask. Good question one more way to save money, it's basically a helper's job but at $8 ph. They can work nothing hot and do not have CDLs. After their 2 months they go back to TMC and take their Basic assesment. If they pass (no remediation) along with a bunch of other requierments, they are ELIGIBLE to be hired as Step-Apprentices @ Intermediate 1 level. They will be paid $21.70 at this point, now they will be approached by the union to join. My question is where was the union when these boys were getting railed? These guys have sold properties and took night jobs (publix, home depot, etc..) just to feed their families and pay for gas to get to school. I commend their commitment and perseverance for getting this job, but they shouldn't have had to go through that.

Smokester
06-14-2006, 09:07 PM
Get used to it, they have been that way for years, and it seems to get worse every contract, why pay dues I ask myself every contract?

Foxtrot
06-14-2006, 09:27 PM
what happend to the good old days??????? sounds like you guys got screwed... :mad:

Smokester
06-14-2006, 09:38 PM
IBEW at it's best, if things don't change soon, statewide membership is talking about a statewide withdrawal on the union !!!

Notfit4duty
06-15-2006, 09:22 PM
That is crap... :mad:

77liner
06-16-2006, 11:11 PM
Best thing that could happen to the brotherhood is to see sorry do nothings leave. What have you done for your Union? Piss and moan

High Voltage
06-17-2006, 07:42 AM
Take a Look at what Google found: Miami Lakes Tech Info/Brochure pdf. file (Adobe )

http://mlec.dadeschools.net/FPLBook_PostHighSchool.pdf
http://mlec.dadeschools.net/FPLBook_PostHighSchool.pdf

This program will prepare students for a potential job opportunity as an FPL Apprentice Line Specialist (Electrical Line Worker) earning $28.60 per hour upon successful completion of all program requirements.

http://mlec.dadeschools.net/hs/FPL.HTM
http://mlec.dadeschools.net/hs/FPL-Line.HTM


Must Pass Background Check, Drug Test, and a Depth/Perception Vision Exam.

Must Pass the three-week Climbing School during summer (June, 5 2006). Students must be at least 16 years old to attend.

Students will be paid $8 per hour for the number of days they are in the climbing school. FPL will provide all climbing equipment.

Pay for basic student insurance each school calendar year (approx $15)

Pay $400 for personal supplies (i.e. climbing boots, climber pads/straps, and leather tool belt). You use these items during your career as a line specialist.

just say no
06-17-2006, 03:29 PM
if you don't think that management and the ibew are not sleeping together then you must believe in the tooth ferry...

OLE' SORE KNEES
06-17-2006, 06:08 PM
if you don't think that management and the ibew are not sleeping together then you must believe in the tooth ferry...


Do you Believe that ?.................Then you believe the truth brother......let's "FIX IT"...........together, together we can, and only that way..................

just say no
06-17-2006, 10:27 PM
let me tell you ole knees..i've been trying,preaching the union way for over 20 years,and still am.............. for now..ive watched this union give in to this company ( fpl ) contract after contract,promised and lied to time after time while our union heads give excuse after excuse...and now that our sick time has been cut from underneath us and the chiefs at the union stand there with ther hands in the air...you can bet the next contract they will go after either vacation or rain time or both..and if either one goes..........so then will i...and i can assure you i'am NOT the only one who feels this way...

Notfit4duty
06-17-2006, 11:34 PM
who's the tooth "ferry"............ :confused:

futureMIAlineman
06-18-2006, 12:02 AM
:confused: :confused: Well im one of the mentioned above..A future student at your TMC. All I can say is that from what I read and hear, I'll do my best to stand up for the workers rights. Hopefully some other recruits will feel that way. Any advice ?

just say no
06-18-2006, 08:11 AM
yeah,don't believe most anything they tell you...especially when ther smilling...and remember ALWAYS work safe and NEVER do anything you are not comfortable doing...

lineman641
06-18-2006, 05:00 PM
i do alot of preach'in too and will keep on try'in too.this program has nothing to do with the union.if they can get involved they should but i think this is the companys way of getting quick manpower...the "ticket" that the company gives now says "fpl line specialest".it is not approved by the ibew.this is the way fpl can get a "lineman" faster. a two year program (imho) is not good enough to make a qualifed lineman.these men will be good lineman over time but the possabilaty of a crew with very little expereance with fpl's system can put there safety at risk. help these guys out as best we can. ....to you newbe's ask questions and don't get into something your not sure of.most guys are more than willing to help,use that!...as "just say no " says don't believe all you hear, think for yourself...as for the union....as "knees" said we can fix it,but it will take all of us..........77liner said it best ..we have the power to change things but you must get involved,we as a membership approved this contract,and we as a membership can change it.........elections,your sc-u4 works for you ,go to meeting and speak your voice! tell them what the membership wants not the other way around!

futureMIAlineman
06-18-2006, 06:04 PM
Many jobs out there would be so much more pleasing if the employer cared and compensated the employee like they deserved. From what I read and hear, FPL doesn't really care. Being a lineman is a very dangerous job and especially in Florida - Dealing with the heat, humidity, hurricanes and may other variables I have yet to experience.. Many feel angry at managment for cutting back benefits and etc. Do you think FPL employees should go DaVinciCode on FPL and have secret meetings/unions aside from the real union to get things done? lmaoJ/K..I agree with lineman's post, everyone should be involved and speaking out. What I fear is that FPL will recruit young employees like myself, and the more experienced and union educated employees will thin out. Making FPL's secret mission of reducing benefits and compensation much easier. Hopefully future employees will have as much dedication to union and employee matters as you guys.

just say no
06-18-2006, 07:30 PM
all you have to do is look at a contract book from the mid 80's and look at the latest one......that will tell you what this union has done for this membership..........it's half the size....

lineman641
06-18-2006, 07:56 PM
Many jobs out there would be so much more pleasing if the employer cared and compensated the employee like they deserved. From what I read and hear, FPL doesn't really care. Being a lineman is a very dangerous job and especially in Florida - Dealing with the heat, humidity, hurricanes and may other variables I have yet to experience.. Many feel angry at managment for cutting back benefits and etc. Do you think FPL employees should go DaVinciCode on FPL and have secret meetings/unions aside from the real union to get things done? lmaoJ/K..I agree with lineman's post, everyone should be involved and speaking out. What I fear is that FPL will recruit young employees like myself, and the more experienced and union educated employees will thin out. Making FPL's secret mission of reducing benefits and compensation much easier. Hopefully future employees will have as much dedication to union and employee matters as you guys.
you and all the young men like you are the future. if linework is what you want ,then be the best you can.......you will see and hear alot.half is bullshit and the other half is only part true. linework is dangerous no matter where you are. when the time comes ,learn from someone you trust and knows the trade.you will know who that is.......alot is said about the union,some bad some good,i have said some of both ....... i do know that we are much better off with the union at fpl because when it comes down to it,fpl doesn't give two shits about us only the dollar.that's the way they are and dont think they really care about you .....still want to be a lineman?...good for you.!!!

lineman641
06-18-2006, 08:03 PM
all you have to do is look at a contract book from the mid 80's and look at the latest one......that will tell you what this union has done for this membership..........it's half the size....
what can the union do about that???

77liner
06-20-2006, 12:52 AM
Brothers we always have the right to vote. If the contract isnt what it should be VOTE NO! If your Local Leadership isnt doing what you ask. Vote them out. WE as members can make a difference.

CenterPointEX
06-20-2006, 11:28 AM
Does anybody think we will have a voice at all if'n the Union goes away? Now we have some sayso... We may not always get all the things we want or the results may not be to our liking... but at least we got a voice...

fpl759
06-26-2006, 07:38 PM
According to our union representatives, all apprentice lineman programs in FPL are recognized by the IBEW now.

dungnfam
06-28-2006, 08:19 AM
I don't know which will be first but it's only a matter of time before National Grid buys FPL and NStar. So don't worry about anything if you work for either of these companies because the Grid takes care of its employees.

Red Rooster
06-29-2006, 09:31 PM
The ones I've seen from tmc are an accident waiting to happen,one burnt up an entire restaurant with wrong voltage and the IBEW is going to reconize that, what have we come to ?