San Onofre Workers

If you worked on the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in any UA classification during the construction phases of any of the units, or if you worked for any of the contractors or the utility, we invite you to participate in this project. We are recording and transcribing interviews now and would be happy to include your voice. We intend to compile as many interviews as possible for this project, and then create a written product--a research paper or perhaps a book on the subject. All participants will receive a transcript of their interview and, depending on the end product, may find themselves appearing in print. If you wish to sign on to this enterprise, please contact Michael McGrorty, email backwage@aol.com.

Monday, April 26, 2010

These conversations

I have spent a lot of my working life interviewing people. At one time I was a probation officer, then an investigator for the Department of Labor. After that I worked for construction unions enforcing wage standards. Over a generation of asking people about their work, give or take a few conversations. Over all that time I've found that working people are almost never asked about their work, either what they do or how they feel about it. When they are given the chance they often have quite a lot to say. Work is what we do. It make up a great portion of what we are. People say "I'm a pipefitter." If they think you really want to hear, they may tell you what that means. I want to hear what that means and I want to save the words so that other people can know. That's what this project is about.
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