FPL - Penny Pinching again

[Always listening]

Our great and powerful power company up to it again boys , 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. . 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]

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]

what happend to the good old days??????? sounds like you guys got screwed...

[Smokester]

IBEW at it's best, if things don't change soon, statewide membership is talking about a statewide withdrawal on the union !!!

[Notfit4duty]

That is crap...

[77liner]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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...