Rewind of 89: In 1979, the Valdez “I&E”
bargained for “organized labor” representation, a unanimous overwhelming decision
in favor of the “UNION” 22 to 5 in final tally of ballots. With that, Alyeska’s
executive management under Frank Turpin grooming George M. Nelson, it was realized
this choice was the voice of the “workers” and Alyeska did not appeal the “vote”
outcome. With that, the NLRB stayed the election results as “certified” in
favor of the “UNION”. Soon after, Alyeska’s management and the workers were in
serious negotiations as to how this “Union” relationship would work to both
parties advantage - a working together as Alyeska was known as a reputable
organization in charge of operating the 800-mile long Trans-Alaska-Pipeline so
essential for America’s energy stream independence. The biggest annoyance as to
why the dedicated “I&E” workforce sought a UNION, the drunk tanker crews
causing problems with the Valdez workers just trying to do their assigned jobs.
Alyeska was quick to accommodate a “fix” to cover the Unionized workers concerns
upon this “I abuse alcohol” syndrome and placed the “Causeways” between the
tanker loading berths and Alyeska’s “Marine Terminal” property proper off
limits to non-essential/non-Alyeska personnel. Essentially an easy justification
eliminating that shore-side furlough for the tanker crews who in the past enjoyed
time off in the town of Valdez and consuming way too much alcohol before
sailing away with a boatload of “crude oil”. Without access upon the “Causeways”,
that furlough was STOPPED and so was the binge drinking. Basically, from now on
then the tanker crews restricted to the ship’s quarters, unless out of a
medical necessity. All was good, Alyeska management and the UNION smiled in
harmony and on March 24th, 1989 - it was just a normal day for the
Alaskan oil trade business as usual with no unusual events. As by now tanker
crews were minding their Ps&Qs and all was calm in Prince William Sound and
“clear sailing” all the way to the high seas. Thanks to the “UNION” and Alyeska
management working together to eliminate a potential nightmare, in a “Hard Aground”
scenario a tanker hitting Bligh Reef because of “I abuse alcohol” as a root
cause in negligence. Wow, “We’re In” and “Oil In” and “We Won”
hurray for the State of Alaska and Alyeska and the UNION!
Rewind of 89 - Take Two: So what really
happened as that “wreck” became a reality on that March 24th in
1989? Alyeska, from that “State of the UNION”, then more in-tune to a “State of
the EUNUCH” as this is how Simple Simon it was to avoid an EXXON Valdez “wreck”,
restricting access to the 1400-foot “Causeways”, the drunks freedom trial! That
bargaining for “organized labor” representation, like mentioned above it was a unanimous
overwhelming “vote” in favor of the “UNION”. That “election” took place in
early 1979. But on March 24th of that same year, exactly 10-years
prior to the “wreck”, Alyeska “timely” objected to the “UNION” vote results and
filed a motion with the NLRB to over-turn that election “by the workers”. It
was 3-years of buying time, and in the end Alyeska would prevail and the
election was overturned in a never before precedence-set decision by the NLRB,
due political pressure from Alaska’s Congressional delegation. And with that, well
the tanker crews continued the “I abuse alcohol” as Alyeska’s management focused
“destructive” attention on the “UNION” supporters - instead of a normal day on
March 24th in 1989…well the
“Dream is over, what can I say.”
