Boilermakers Union Flexs Muscle At Entergy's Request?

At the last two NRC meetings (license renewal and annual assessment), Entergy has been using the brut force of Union workers to stack the deck at these public meetings, their numbers being used to intimidate members of the public, and concerned citizens into silence. Members of various environmental groups have conveniently been bumped into (in a harsh manner) by these thugs from said unions, with whispered threats such as, "You better watch yourself." These kinds of scare tactics are not only unethical, but may verge on being illegal.

Wednesday's meeting on Indian Point's License Renewal Application saw a huge contingent from the Local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers in attendance...free hats, shirts, and a food buffet paid for by Entergy (where flash cards were used to let workers know what points to make) were incentives for those attending...we spoke to many of these union workers who admitted privately they showed up out of fear at what might happen if they did not attend.

Jerry Connolly (business manager - secretary treasurer The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers local no. 5) trotted out a speech that could have, might have been written by Entergy. Yet, in a private conversation, he admitted he does not care one way or the other about Indian Point, other than his concern for his men having jobs...there is a brilliant strategy if I ever saw one...lets risk the lives of 21 MILLION people so that 1300 union workers can keep their jobs...what is wrong with this thinking? Has it occurred to these workers that they would be heroes if they stepped forward publicly, and spilled the beans on Indian Point? Seems that Jerry Connolly had some concerns, again privately, about Indian Point, but we'll cover those in a future article. It should be noted, that Jerry of all people knows the risks, and has spoken out about risks to the workers who work in the power industry, as this comment from his shows:

"Our members are becoming seriously ill and dying prematurely because of exposure to such toxic substances as cadmium, lead, asbestos and mercury,"

For now, we are working on getting the contact information for some of those Boilermakers who were at that meeting. We would encourage all of you to contact these people, and ask that they stop with the tactics of fear and intimidation, ask them to end the BULLYING tactics at these public meetings. Below is Jerry Connolly contact information, as well as contact points for the International Headquarters staff. Public meetings must be about discourse and conversation of the issues, not about intimidation and carefully delivered threats.

Jerry Connoly
business manager - secretary treasurer
The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers

local no. 5
24 Van Siclen Avenue
Floral Park NY 10011
718-895-7722
516-326-250
516-326-3435 fax

http://www.boilermakers.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Contact_Us1#ip

International Headquarters

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers headquarters offices are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Most of our departmental offices are located at headquarters:

753 State Avenue
Kansas City KS 66101
(913) 371-2640

How to Contact International Officers and Staff

All persons are listed alphabetically by last name. This listing includes some staff not employed directly by the Boilermakers but closely associated with our organization. Names given without addresses or phone numbers may be reached at the following address and phone

753 State Ave
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
(913) 371-2640

This is not a complete list of all staff, but merely represents some of the most frequently contacted offices. If the person you are looking for is not on this list, contact the department he or she works for by consulting the list of departments and offices.

Carey Allen
Director of Cement, Lime, Gypsum and Allied Workers Division Services
P.O. Box 813
Cloverdale, IN 46120
(765) 795-6418 FAX (765) 795-5252

Carolyn S. Almond
Assistant to the Managing Editor, the Boilermaker Reporter
(205) 856-5151 FAX (205) 856-5551
calmond@boilermakers.org

William J. Almond
Assistant to the International President
Director, National Transient Division
5280 Old Springville Road, Suite 200
Pinson, AL 35126
(205) 856-9080 FAX (205) 856-9081

J. Tom Baca
International Vice President - Western Section
1850 Gateway Blvd., Suite 185
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 798-7665 FAX (925) 798-7886

Curtis Barnhill
Executive Administrator, Boilermaker National Funds
754 Minnesota Ave., Suite 522
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 342-6555

Dale Branscum
Director, Construction Division Services
FAX (913) 281-8105

Timothy Canon
Website Developer
FAX (913) 281-8105
tcanon@boilermakers.org

Donald Caswell
Director of Communication and Education
Managing Editor, the Boilermaker Reporter
FAX (913) 281-8104
dcaswell@boilermakers.org

Ryan Creeden
Director, Information Technology
FAX (913) 281-8104
rcreeden@boilermakers.org

John Erickson
Executive Administrator, Common Arc Corporation
PO Box 190
Geneva IL 60134
(630) 232-8378 FAX (630) 232-9643
http://www.commonarc.com/

Warren Fairley
Director, Shipbuilding and Marine Division
5127 River Road
Lucedale, MS 39452
(601) 947-2416
wfairley@boilermakers.org

Newton B. Jones
International President
753 State Ave., Suite 570
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 371-2640 FAX (913) 281-8101
ipjones@boilermakers.org

Mike Linderer
Writer/Editor
753 State Ave., Suite 570
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 371-2640 FAX (913) 281-8105
mlinderer@boilermakers.org

Joseph Maloney
International Vice President - Western Canada
17205 - 106 A Avenue, Suite 206
Edmonton, AB, CAN T5S 1M7
(780) 483-0823 FAX (780) 489-3043

Bridget Martin
Director, Government Affairs
2722 Merrilee Drive, Suite 360
Fairfax,VA 22031
(703) 560-1493 FAX (703) 560-2584
bmartin@boilermakers.org

Sam May
International Vice President - Southeast Section
503 Westfield Place
Jasper, TN 37347
(423) 942-0126 FAX (423) 942-6312
ssticher@boilermakers.org

Lawrence J. McManamon
International Vice President - Great Lakes Section
18500 Lake Road, Suite 210
Rocky River, OH 44116-1744
(440) 333-0300 FAX (440) 333-8448
lmac@glabap.com

Sean Murphy
International Vice President - Northeast Section
3201 McKnight East Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
(412) 367-1007 FAX (412) 367-1445

National Archives
c/o IST William Creeden
753 State Ave, Suite 565
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 371-2640 FAX (913) 281-8102
ist@boilermakers.org

William J. Palmisano
Administrator, Mobilization Optimization Stabilization and Training (MOST)
753 State Ave., Suite 800
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 281-5036 FAX (913) 281-0037

Edward Power
International Vice President - Eastern Canada
1216 Sandcove Road, Suite 139
St. John, NB, CAN E2M 5V8
(506) 634-8203 FAX (506) 634-0307

James A. Pressley
Director of Research and Collective Bargaining Services
FAX (913) 281-8105

Gary Prochnow
Director of Organizing
FAX (913) 281-8104
gprochnow@boilermakers.org

Milan Racic
Safety & Health Specialist

George D. Rogers
International Vice President - Central Section
18096 Kings Row, Suite B
Houston, TX 77058
(281) 333-0423 FAX (281) 333-1242

Alan Scheer
Director, Railroad Division
697-A Rhea County Highway
Dayton, TN 37321
(423) 570-0211 FAX (423) 570-0215
osmith@boilermakers.org

Othal Smith Jr.,
International Vice President - SFEAW Division
5016 Spedale Court #399
Spring Hill, TN 37174
(615) 794-9495 FAX (615) 599-1209

Pat Smith
National Coordinator, Boilermaker National Apprenticeship Program
1017 North 9th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 342-2100 FAX (913) 342-2158

Nicole Stinger
Communications Assistant
753 State Ave., Suite 570
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 371-2640 FAX (913) 281-8105
nstinger@boilermakers.org

Updates From Yesterday's Public Meeting On Indian Point License Renewal Application

First, the knuckle draggers were out in full force attempting to intimidate those wanting Indian Point's license renewal appliation to be denied. What was interesting, is several of the Union members admitted they showed up to STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. So, Entergy and/or the union are making attendance at these public meetings mandatory, creating in effect a FALSE show of support for the failing, leaking reactors at Indian Point. One of Entergy's employees (who we outed on this blog) got rather hostile, but then that is to be expected, since none of these men seem to have the ability to intellectually discuss the issue, but instead stoop to verbal and written attacks, both here on the Internet, and/or in real time such as at the meeting. Seems to me, if they are going to attend these public meetings, they could at least LEARN and EDUCATE themselves on the issues, rather than relying on flash cards held up in front of them while they fed their faces at the Entergy Food Spread in an adjoining room.

Other Important Issues:

Requests:

It has been requested, that prior to starting 60 day intervener clock , the NRC must require Entergy to place all documents referred to and incorporated in the application be made available for inspection in a public place. (Roni, a lying, twit if there ever was one, of the NRC, argued absurdly that public availability would violate copyright, honestly if that violates copyright then there could be no books in the libraries). The real truth...the NRC and Entergy want to keep the public as ignorant as possible.

List of all criteria under which a new license would be denied. This is the third time this request has been verbalized to the NRC, and so far Richard Barkley (NRC point person) has been less than cooperative on this.

List of what systems and components are specifically within scope. Again, they are trying to keep us from having a realistic idea of the components included and within scope for purposes of our contentions.

List of all deviations and exemptions granted to all three plants. Again, this is a request that has been submitted before, and the NRC keeps saying the same thing over and over again, "We are working on it."

List of all underground pipes, composition, footage, and what is running through them.

Electrical separation repair/mediating documents and a walk down -This request dates back to Congresswoman Sue Kelly, and we are STILL WAITING.

Require that all ASLAB and other meetings regarding relicensing be held in Westchester (county center), not in NRC's backyard where they can easily swamp the facility with UNION THUGS.

Seeking a determination by the NRC whether there is even enough room on the site for the waste, both in pool and dry casks (with and without cooling towers).

GENERAL NOTE: Over 36 people signed up to speak. The NRC once again stopped the meeting before everyone who wanted to speak had a chance, and said the place was closing (not true), but they didn't want to rent it longer. If people make the effort to come to a meeting they should be given the chance to speak. This has been and on going issue and complaint that Richard Barkley is well aware of, but as usual, the NRC is far more concerned about keeping the public voice silent than seeing meaningful public participation in the process. As was so elequently stated in the afternoon meeting, perhaps the time has come, since the NRC is so dismally failing in protecting human health and safety that they all need to resign.

Doric Maldernero: Suez United Water is planning to use desalination for Rockland drinking water.

Philip Musegaas NRC is trying to limit who are allowed stakeholder status, but he made the point that the Hudson River is everyone's, therefore everyone along Hudson has standing or NYS. Further, in the case of a significant incident, where is the stakeholder line drawn?

Philip Musegaas also raised the issue that IP 1 is in violation of it's SAFESTOR agreement because there are radiological releases.

Ken Olin: About the 1996 Generic Impact Statement how it is applied differently for new construction and existing plants. They said that because it's new construction there is a larger impact, however in the relicense situation there is enormous construction as well, regarding the dry cask field, and the probability that replacement of the domes is necessary during the time of relicense (REFURBISHMENT).

1996 Environmental Impact Statement is being rewritten - they have therefore acknowledged that it is out date - post 9/11. Seems there is a contention in there some place.

ELECTED OFFICALS WHO MADE APPEARANCES

Brian Shapiro - Ulster County Legislature - Environmental Chair - asked the NRC to consider the uniqueness of location in the review, that they can't look at Indian Point as if “it is in a time machine.”

Connie Coker - Rockland County Legislature - Environmental Chair.

Dan O'Neil - Mayor of Buchanan-Trotted out his same old tired lines about how his small community taxes would go up. Excuse us Mr. Mayor, but Peekskill faces the same risks as your community, with NONE OF THOSE TAXES BENEFITS, and there are a lot more of us here. Maybe you need to wean yourself off the swine teat, and start being honest about the risks Indian Point poses to all of us. Further...for clarification, less than THIRTY Indian Point workers live in Buchanan, and the majority of the Indian Point workers have located themselves out of harm's way, choosing to commute in from Dutchess county.

Joe O'Brien - Eliot Engel's office - read statement.

Susan Spear - John Hall's office - read statement. We see how sincere (or not) he is about his promise to SHUT DOWN INDIAN POINT...seems to me, that he himself could find the time to attend such important public meetings...after all, there are only three of them in the entire relicensing process.

Manna Jo Greene - handed in 4000 signatures on petitions against relicensing.

Riverkeeper - asked that the Environmental scoping meeting not take place in the last 2 weeks of August. Funny they ask for this, but were not willing to sign onto our official request for a 60 day extention.

Union People (THUGS) - Boilermakers this time, once again took up lots of parking, were being intimidating, a few even voicing whispered threats to a few of us. Was told when I asked one of them why they were here, he said he had to come and would be in trouble if he didn't. He didn't know anything about IP.

Helen Caldicott & Beyond Nuclear Join Forces!

NEWS FROM BEYOND NUCLEAR

Contact:
Linda Gunter, Beyond Nuclear
301.455.5655

Beyond Nuclear and Nuclear Policy Research Institute Combine to Challenge Nuclear Power and Weapons

TAKOMA PARK, MD - The incoming board and staff of Beyond Nuclear are extremely pleased to announce that Beyond Nuclear will now pursue its mission under the auspices of the Nuclear Policy Research Institute (NPRI).

NPRI was established by Dr. Helen Caldicott, a renowned physician who has devoted the last 35 years to an international campaign to educate the public about the hazards of the nuclear age and the necessary changes in human behavior to stop environmental destruction. NPRI is a tax-exempt and tax-deductible organization.

Beyond Nuclear is a new initiative that aims to educate wider audiences about the connection between nuclear power and nuclear weapons and the need to abandon both to safeguard our future. Beyond Nuclear works to promote positive, solutions-focused messages and to provide guides to safer alternatives to these dangerous technologies. Beyond Nuclear was previously undertaken through Nuclear Information and Resource Service.

Beyond Nuclear and NPRI share a synergistic vision: to communicate the grave threats to health, environment and safety implicit in the complexities of the nuclear industry. To that end, Beyond Nuclear will focus its work on the public and the media using dynamic campaigns and its cadre of expert spokespeople to create a consistent high-profile presence for these issues. It will also serve as a resource with which to build and expand the movement for a world beyond nuclear.

Our staff - Paul Gunter, Kevin Kamps, Cindy Folkers and Linda Gunter - has comprehensive expertise in all aspects of nuclear power. In addition, Beyond Nuclear will partner with national and international specialists who can offer information and insight on nuclear weapons and sustainable energy. These specialists will be listed on our Web site (www.beyondnuclear.org).

In announcing the incorporation of Beyond Nuclear into NPRI, Dr. Caldicott said: "I am confident that the distinguished new staff and new board of the Institute will be effective stewards of NPRI. I will continue to be a keen supporter of NPRI for long into the future. Above all, I look forward to the day when we can all celebrate the termination of both the nuclear power and nuclear weapons industries." Dr. Caldicott will not be involved in the daily operation of NPRI although she will remain its founding president.

Collectively, the Beyond Nuclear Board and Staff have all been actively involved in the anti-nuclear movement for many decades.

The founding Board of Beyond Nuclear at NPRI Robert Backus, Esq: Manchester, NH Kay Drey: St. Louis, MO; anti-nuclear activist Lou Friedman: Canton, CT; international consultant; environment and peace Karl Grossman: Sag Harbor, NY; professor and journalist Judith Johnsrud, Ph.D.: State College, PA; radiation and nuclear power specialist

The staff of Beyond Nuclear at NPRI Cindy Folkers; Linda Gunter; Paul Gunter; Kevin Kamps.

The Beyond Nuclear Launch Partners Ed Asner (Honorary Chairman), Ed Begley, Christie Brinkley, Helen Caldicott, Susan Clark, David Cortright, James Cromwell and Joan MacIntosh, Julie Enszer, Judi and Lou Friedman, Keith Gunter, Friedrike Merck, John McEnroe, Susan Sarandon, Marilyn and Steven Strong, Jessica Wilbanks, Gretchen Wyler (1932-2007).

Beyond Nuclear is in transition and will shortly have new offices. In the meantime, if you wish to reach us please call: 301.455.5655 or email: beyondnuclear@gmail.com. We will forward our permanent contact information shortly. The temporary Beyond Nuclear Web site can be found at www.beyondnuclear.org, soon to be replaced by a comprehensive permanent Web site. Please check back often.

Electromagnetic Field Light Salt Water On Fire

Kanzius, 63, invented a machine that emits radio waves in an attempt to kill cancerous cells while leaving normal cells intact. While testing his machine, he noticed that his invention had other unexpected abilities. Filling a test tube with salt water from a canal in his back yard, Kanzius placed the tube and a paper towel in the machine and turned it on. Suddenly, the paper towel ignited, lighting up the tube like it was a wax candle. (Thanks to Olivia & Hugg.com)