In 1996, I was
made aware that the Alyeska-Pipeline-Service-Company was using materials I had
produced for “Metering Training” without my prior consent. Yes, an intellectual
property in ownership insult! Originally, there came a request for such
material from the Pump Station #1 management, way back in 1992 and I delivered the
required materials consistent with what one would expect, on a “trial free NO fee
basis”. Basically speaking, I knew what was required for training technicians
in the critical field of “Custody Transfer”. And since this request in appearance
that even Alyeska’s very own experts that worked for the “Measurement
Department” were incapable at providing any worthwhile training, well the sole reason
Alyeska reached out to me for HELP! As at one time when my career was in good
standing with Alyeska, that was my job in oversight along with training with
respect to the metering systems at Pump Station#1 at the beginning of the 800-mile
long Trans-Alaska-Pipeline. And I was well versed in the similar “metering” systems
in Valdez at the “END” of the line and also what was necessary at the North
Pole facility, wherein crude oil was lifted off for a local refinery. I had put
a whole lot of effort in producing the training materials, that could be used
throughout the Alyeska organization on what was considered the $cash register$”.
So I offered up my services, please review what you asked for then
consideration for compensation was all that was necessary. It was well known
that “Big Oil”, who owned the oil, made it clear and convincing “if you cannot
measure that oil don’t ship it”, so the marching orders from the Alyeska “Owners”
mandated accurate accountability of every drop of “oil”. That was my job at one
time. So when in short order after I was forced to resign from Alyeska, due my
affiliation as a “Vocal Union Supporter” and subject to corporate Alyeska’s “kill
the messenger” edict of the 1990s, well it was less then a year wherein Alyeska
came looking and begging for my help, with that “Custody Transfer” thing in
obligation. Wow, maybe an opportunity was knocking at my door and when asked to
provide “Help”, what was produced on “my dime” could be used for Technician
Progression, which allows advancements in the “tech” ranks which equates to
more pay – that incentive. So my materials would allow workers to make even more
$money$, so of course compensation for this guy was mandatory if indeed Alyeska
realized there was potential in what I had delivered, originally for review! Now
upon delivery of the “goods” as requested through a verbal conversation, I
never did get any acknowledgment that Alyeska was interested in my manuals and
or training documentation, from a compensatory standpoint the only reason I
responded to such a request. So what was my sentiment as it was in merit a
courageous undertaking after I had been so screwed by that company, it was a
good try – as I was trying to provide an income to feed my family working for
myself. OK, we sometimes loose site of learning from our mistakes as Alyeska
was well known to be a cut-throat organization that spied on its workers and
was well versed in demonstrating that discrimination in the workplace was alive
and well in the 90s. Now the materials provided were all inclusive, with the
basic understanding of a “metering system” in its fundamental criteria, to meter
proving and accountability and in advance surrounded by an in-depth orientation
into the numerous American Petroleum Institute’s calculations that govern how
crude oil is measured to within 4-decimal places on the single barrel! Yes,
pretty amazing. And Alyeska had the best system in the world, and I was part of
getting Alyeska to enjoy that notoriety. So I wrote it off, that Alyeska found
no use for my training materials. Well low and behold when in 1996 I was made aware
of the fact that Alyeska continued to use my materials, for training purposes
4-years after the fact! And never did Alyeska receive permission to violate my
reasonable expectations nor was there ever any compensation – to blatantly
disregard a “verbal contract” wherein I was to be compensated if Alyeska saw
virtue in utilizing my materials. I was being taken advantage upon some many
years after-the-fact without any compensation. So I contacted a lawyer, and I
was told to send the “Owner Companies” a bill, in explanation what was going
on. This would get the attention of the “checkbook” as “Big Oil” does not like
to pick on the “Little Guy”. So I received feedback to contact the Alyeska
legal department and demand a reasonable accommodation in proceeds for Alyeska
using my materials without my permission, wherein Alyeska was advantaged by
that usage without my permission. Now the lawyer I had contacted demanded I
request a daily usage fee at $100/Day, a good starting point yet is
chicken-shit for a company like Alyeska that was handling 2-million barrels a
day of crude oil for that “Big Oil” interest. That fee was designed to cover a
reasonable expectation, with respect to when I was made aware of it, that my intellectual
property was still being used by the Technicians-in-Training. So that amounted
to many days since the day I was requested to deliver the “goods” and such were
delivered. See, I held up my side of the “verbal contract” in offer and Alyeska
took advantage of this “Little Guy”. OK, Simple Simon math that meant Alyeska
owed me a whole lot of $money$, yet in reality peanuts for an operation like
Alyeska. But Alyeska thought differently, as it was Alyeska that had the bigger
britches when it comes to lawyers and litigation, and one thing I learned in
the kindergarten of legal wrangling, especially with an oil entity in Alaska,
lawyers frown away from such lawsuits as it is not a good thing to work against
“Big Oil”. So Alyeska Ted wanted to kiss ass with Bob Malone, as the Alyeska
“Corporate Culture” was alive and well in that “shoot the messenger” somewhat downgraded
from “kill the messenger” and during this time when Bob Malone was at the helm,
dealing with widespread discrimination. So Ted threw me a bone, like an IRS
offer-in-compromise, as his bonus was most likely tied to how he could rip me
off. See. Alyeska knew they violated all the rules of the road any decency to
others in how to engage in ethical business dealings, by using someone. But
like Alyeska had become so well versed upon, never admit anything. Yet by
admitting that the company did use my materials, well in the end I was offered
not $100/Day usage fee but offered ¼ of a penny on the dollar! And it was a
take-it or leave-it proposition and to refuse, it would have meant going to
court. It is the Alyeska way, as that is about what Alyeska ends up paying
Uncle Sam for “Serious” Clean Air Act violations when the Alyeska lawyers contest
things. If it is not theft, then what is it?
