Now everyone is covered under Obamacare. Now everyone will have "free" healthcare.

Let's see all these concerned politicians when we all start protesting the tax increases to fund the socialist dream.

If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it is free!!!!

The union wanted a lockout and pretends to be outraged. They adamantly insisted in the right to walk off the job at any time, for any reason. No nuclear company in the world would agree to this. The UNION leadership voted unanimously to recommend the contract they negotiated to the membership. 89 members voted for it and it would undoubtedly pass today.

The plant is operating very well. The union thought they were indispensable but facts have proven otherwise. Their attempted bullying has failed and all of the pressure is on them now.

While I don't deny that the union workers were told to vote down the latest contract, why did the 'leaders' UW Local 369 'unanimously approve' that contract? I think for all employees involved it would be better to actually break the union and go back to work as Entergy employees. I hope that the union workers understand how bad they are getting screwed by their union...much worse than what Entergy is doing! The union is there for helping, and they have done the complete opposite!

Keeping this alive is actually hurting Dan Hurley more than anyone. As the conversations get more in depth, you start to find out what is really going on. And naturally, Dave L. is leading the charge against Dan. To me, this makes Entergy look less like the culprit here. Besides the show the union is putting on for the public, it gives the community an opportunity to look at the solid plan that the union rejected. There isn't a lot of sympathy out there for the union right now. Also with people like Susan Smith on here screaming for more, more, more and free, free, free; the union's reputation for being a greedy and corrupt organization is being solidified. If I were in this local I would have to tell her to shut her mouth. All the rational and thoughtful people are not on board with her EBT/welfare morality.

And now former UWUA leader David Leonardi has written a scathing letter exposing Hurley's deception and specifically blaming him for the lockout. The membership is caught in the middle and will never recoup the wages lost over the last 23 days. They will lose much, much more in the coming days/weeks/months. They were offered a fair contract.

Time to go back to work. We have presently lost our Health, Dental, and Vision benefits along with one months pay. A few union members are in jeopardy of losing their houses. Many members are explaining to their children that they are unable to attend college this fall. Imagine completing high school and going thru the process to attend college and not being able to attend. We need to get back to work before the entire union membership is beyond financial recovery. Think of all the union members and lets all get back to work.

Mike, I'm afraid it's going to be awhile. Hurley miscalculated badly and has no plan other than "to direct members to walk in circles", as former UWUA 369 President Leonardi puts it. The mediator says resuming negotiations is pointless. The company can't/won't budge at this point so I think you guys are in for several more weeks locked out. Hope your family weathers it okay.

The one thing I've learned over my years in nuclear is this, sometimes you have to be patient and not comment hastily on something that happens. Give it time and get all the facts first. The time has come for me to comment. Sure UWUA369 has appeared weak and not organized, but it shows this: WE ARE HUMAN. Sure there has been some in fighting, but its like a marriage it gets stronger. Dealing with CORPORATE GREED -ENTERGY has tempered MY union. I AM PROUD OF EVERY UNION BROTHER AND SISTER AND I LOVE THEM AS SUCH. I will tell you this about the past 3 and a half weeks, I wouldn't do anything different. Its been the best 3 and a half weeks of my life.

I was a union member and we had other ways to show we were human. Community service, highway litter pickup, charity toy drives, softball tournaments, etc. We knew that unity was our life's blood and elected leaders who worked for US, not themselves. This union has damaged their credibility beyond belief. Eventually they will have to crawl to the table and talk with a very emboldened, determined company who may well scale back on their offer.

I totally agree that local 369 did the right thing by standing up to corporate greed. Now is the time we need to be mature and admit Entergy is not going to budge a whole lot on the contract. The people inside the plant are running it even working thru major problems, emergency downpower to 33%...repair....and back to 100%. They have proven now a few times they can operate the plant thru difficult problems. Meanwhile a majority of our local union members are suffering very bad financially. Talk to them and they will tell you it is getting really bad. We need to get back to work and regain financial stability in our families. We can do this thru the much needed overtime that will be there to catch up. Make our own raise, 2% = 26 hours overtime. Our members need to get a pay check soon.

Word is that negotiations resume Friday. Hope UWUA sees reality this time.

One detail that is missing about Entergy "shutting down" benefits is that the money paid into the benefits by Entergy and the employees ran out June 30th. They are not "taking benefits away". As locked out empoyees, COBRA is available to every locked out employee. No one will in UWUA 369 will be deprieved health insurance unless they CHOOSE TO NOT take the COBRA benefit. Maybe they will better appreciate the true cost of what their high end Blue Cross Plan really costs to provide to them.

What's up 369?
I just got back from vacation in Australia and I wanted to thank you guys for paying for my trip. There was no way I could have done it without you guys!

What's the plan for 2016? Do I need to make my plans now to go to France ?