u/Curious-Cream-9825

Genuine question for anyone who works at Bruce Power or in the nuclear industry.

Why is there such a large pay difference between skilled trades workers and nuclear operators when the trades require a pretty significant amount of training and experience themselves?

For example, a Red Seal plumber or electrician goes through roughly 9000 hours of on the-job training, along with three terms of schooling consisting of 8 weeks for each. That's years of apprenticeship, thousands of hours in the field, technical exams, safety training, and eventually a Red Seal certification.

Tradespeople at a nuclear facility are also working in an extremely regulated environment where the quality of their work can directly affect the safety and reliability of the plant. They're dealing with complex systems, strict procedures, radiation-controlled areas, confined spaces, high-pressure systems, electrical equipment, and a lot of responsibility.

I'm not saying nuclear operators shouldn't be paid well—they absolutely should. I'm more curious about why the compensation gap is so large between operators and skilled trades when trades people also have years of training and carry a significant amount of responsibility.

Is it mainly because of the additional licensing/training required to become an operator, the level of responsibility for operating the reactor, the labour market, or simply how the different positions are valued under the collective agreements?

Genuine question for anyone who works at Bruce Power or in the nuclear industry.

Why is there such a large pay difference between skilled trades workers and nuclear operators when the trades require a pretty significant amount of training and experience themselves?

For example, a Red Seal plumber or electrician goes through roughly 9000 hours of on the-job training, along with three terms of schooling consisting of 8 weeks for each. That's years of apprenticeship, thousands of hours in the field, technical exams, safety training, and eventually a Red Seal certification.

Tradespeople at a nuclear facility are also working in an extremely regulated environment where the quality of their work can directly affect the safety and reliability of the plant. They're dealing with complex systems, strict procedures, radiation-controlled areas, confined spaces, high-pressure systems, electrical equipment, and a lot of responsibility.

I'm not saying nuclear operators shouldn't be paid well—they absolutely should. I'm more curious about why the compensation gap is so large between operators and skilled trades when trades people also have years of training and carry a significant amount of responsibility.

Is it mainly because of the additional licensing/training required to become an operator, the level of responsibility for operating the reactor, the labour market, or simply how the different positions are valued under the collective agreements?

Just curious if anyone has any insight on the bruce power plant? Just wondering what the employment is like there as a pipe fitter in the union? How does one become a full time employee through the bruce?

Just curious if anyone has any insight on the bruce power plant? Just wondering what the employment is like there as i was offered a dispatch to work there and would like to stay for longer then 2 weeks.

Just curious if anyone has any insight on the bruce power plant? Just wondering what the employment is like there as i was offered a dispatch to work there and would like to stay for longer then 2 weeks.

I'm honestly at a breaking point and don't know where to turn anymore.

For the past 3 years, I've been dealing with constant abdominal issues that no one seems able to explain.

So far I've had:

• HIDA scan: 74% ejection fraction. The report mentioned the possibility of biliary gastritis, and when they gave me the CCK injection, it caused the exact severe pain that I get after eating. It was awful.
• Ultrasound: Found a liver lesion that they think could either be fatty liver or a hemangioma.
• MRI/MRCP: Completely normal except for a tiny punctate gallbladder polyp.

Despite all of that, my symptoms continue to get worse.

The biggest issue is the abdominal pain. It can become extremely intense and often radiates into the middle of my back. It seems especially bad after eating fatty foods.

My bowel movements are also a mess. They can become very light brown or even pale, and I struggle to digest fat. If I eat something like peanut butter or any high-fat meal, I'm almost guaranteed to end up running to the bathroom with severe lower abdominal spasms and diarrhea. It feels like my body just can't handle fat anymore.

What frustrates me the most is that I feel like I'm not being taken seriously.

My GI doctor's advice was simply to try a low FODMAP diet, while my family doctor doesn't seem concerned despite these symptoms continuing for years. I also asked my GI doctor if we could do a fecal elastase test to rule out pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, but he refused because my pancreas looked normal on the MRI/MRCP. I understand imaging can rule out structural problems, but I thought fecal elastase evaluates pancreatic function, so I'm confused why it isn't even worth checking.

At this point I'm exhausted. Living like this for three years has taken a huge toll on my quality of life, and I feel like I'm stuck in limbo while my symptoms continue.

Has anyone experienced anything similar, especially reproducing your pain during the CCK portion of a HIDA scan, having trouble digesting fats, pale stools, or back pain despite imaging being mostly normal? Did you eventually get a diagnosis or find something that was overlooked?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been through something similar because right now I feel completely lost

Has anyone else had any issues here in london ontario with rat issues? I recently bought a home and been dealing with rats in my backyard and I've never had issues anywhere else..

I'm honestly at my breaking point and don't know where to turn anymore.

For the past 3 years, I've been dealing with severe abdominal pain that gets significantly worse whenever I eat fatty foods. Even something moderately fatty can leave me with intense cramping, pain that radiates into my back, and horrible bowel movements. My stools are often yellow, greasy/oily, floating, and extremely foul-smelling. On top of that, I have excessive gas almost constantly, which has become incredibly frustrating and embarrassing.

I've had numerous tests done trying to get answers. My MRI/MRCP came back essentially normal except for a small gallbladder polyp. I also had a HIDA scan that showed a 74% ejection fraction, and it noted the possibility of biliary gastritis.

What really stood out to me during the HIDA scan was what happened after I was given the CCK injection. Within about 20 minutes, it reproduced the exact pain I experience after eating fatty foods. I developed intense abdominal pain and back pain that felt almost identical to my normal flare-ups. Because of that, I really thought it pointed toward my gallbladder being involved.

My gastroenterologist referred me to a surgeon, but the surgeon refused to remove my gallbladder, saying there wasn't enough evidence that it was the source of my symptoms.

Now I'm back with my gastroenterologist, and the recommendation I've been given is that diet might be the solution.

The frustrating part is that I've already been following a strict diet for the past two months, avoiding fatty foods and being extremely careful with what I eat. Despite that, I'm still in agonizing pain, still having abnormal stools, and still dealing with constant digestive issues. It feels like I'm being told to continue doing something that hasn't solved anything.

I understand that surgery shouldn't be done unless it's truly necessary, but I also don't feel like anyone is trying to figure out what is causing my symptoms. After three years of this, it's affecting every part of my life, and I feel like I'm just being passed from one doctor to another without getting any closer to an answer.

Has anyone had a similar experience where their HIDA scan reproduced their symptoms after CCK, but their imaging was otherwise mostly normal? Did it end up being your gallbladder, bile acid problems, biliary gastritis, pancreatic insufficiency, SIBO, or something else? Would you seek a second opinion from another gastroenterologist or even another surgeon?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been through something similar because I'm feeling completely defeated at this point.

I'm curious how other UA plumbers and pipefitters feel about this.

I came down with a horrible cold that triggered some pretty bad asthma attacks. Between the constant coughing, shortness of breath, and needing my inhaler, there was no way I could safely work that day—especially in this trade where you're expected to be climbing ladders, carrying material, and working in dusty environments.

I still felt guilty calling in because I know attendance matters and nobody wants to look unreliable. At the same time, showing up sick doesn't seem like the right answer either, especially if you're struggling to breathe or could get others sick.

How do your locals and contractors generally view situations like this? Are they understanding when it's a legitimate illness, or do people still get labeled as unreliable for missing a day or two?

I'd like to hear how it's handled in different UA locals and what your experiences have been.

I really need to vent and figure out my next steps because I am completely at a loss for words. I’ve been dealing with chronic abdominal pain for 3 years now. It has taken a massive toll on my life, and today’s appointment with my gastroenterologist just broke me.

After waiting forever to get in, the doctor finally mentioned that my symptoms could point to SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). But here is the kicker: he absolutely refuses to run a breath test for it because he claims they are "inaccurate."

Even worse, he said he doesn’t believe in prescribing antibiotics for it. His only advice? "Stick with a low-FODMAP diet." That was the absolute extent of his help. He essentially threw a restrictive diet at me, gave me no protocol on how to eventually reintroduce foods, and sent me on my way.

I’ve read that while a low-FODMAP diet can help calm things down in the short term, it doesn't actually kill the bacterial overgrowth or fix the root cause. I feel like I'm stuck suffering, and I’m just being told to manage it entirely on my own through extreme food restriction.

For those of you who have been in a similar situation with an unhelpful or dismissive GI doctor, what did you do next?

I'm honestly getting pretty frustrated with the whole system.

I'm a member of the UA and it feels like the hall is basically a temp agency that takes dues every month but can't provide consistent work. We're told the benefits of union membership are job security, good wages, and representation, but what good is that when you're sitting at home for months waiting for a call?

I've seen people spend months, sometimes close to half a year, on the out-of-work list while still being expected to pay dues and maintain membership. Meanwhile, bills don't stop coming and apprentices are left wondering how they're supposed to gain hours and finish their training.

I understand construction is cyclical and work can be slow, but at what point do members start questioning what they're getting in return? If the hall can't find work for members for extended periods of time, why does it feel like all the responsibility falls on us while the dues keep rolling in?

Has anyone else felt this way? Did you stick it out and eventually see the benefits, or did you end up going non-union to keep working consistently?

Curious to hear other UA members' experiences.

Looking for some advice because I'm feeling pretty lost at this point.

I've been dealing with digestive issues and abdominal pain for quite a while now. I recently had a HIDA scan that showed a 74% ejection fraction. During the test, the CCK injection didn't cause pain immediately, but about 20 minutes afterward I developed severe pain that felt very similar to the attacks I get from eating fatty foods.

Some other findings and symptoms:

• Bile was found in my stomach during testing.
• Stools are often greasy, floating, foul-smelling, and sometimes yellow.
• Fatty foods can trigger significant pain.
• Pain is usually around my belly button and right side, sometimes radiating into my back.
• MRI/MRCP noted a punctate gallbladder polyp, but the report said it wasn't concerning.
• My gastroenterologist felt it was worth referring me to a surgeon.
• After seeing a general surgeon, he declined surgery.

Now I'm stuck wondering where to go from here. The combination of fatty-food intolerance, pain after CCK, bile in my stomach, and abnormal stools makes me feel like something is being missed, but I don't know what specialist or testing I should be pursuing next.

Has anyone had a similar experience with a normal or high HIDA ejection fraction but still ended up having gallbladder-related issues? Were there any tests, specialists, or diagnoses that helped explain your symptoms?

Any advice would be appreciated because I'm not sure what my next step should be.

One thing that I've learned the past few years is that individuals that never experienced specific hardships (like chronic loneliness, poverty, or trauma), they often lack the frame of reference required to genuinely understand or empathize with someone who is. I'm currently unemployed on the verge of homelessness and most people I've spoken too have never cared to offer a hand, they would rather throw someone's problems out the door, because it's not effecting them. I feel hopeless and not sure what my next steps are.

I'm looking for some advice from people who have been through this situation.

I'm a third-year plumbing apprentice in Ontario and I've been out of work for months waiting for a union placement. The bills are becoming heavy and i no longer qualify for ei . I joined the union because I wanted the training, benefits, pension, and long-term career opportunities, but it's getting harder to justify sitting at home while my apprenticeship isn't progressing.

I'm starting to consider taking a non-union plumbing job so I can keep working, get my hours, gain experience, and finish my apprenticeship. My concern is whether I'd be making a mistake by leaving the union, especially considering the long-term wages and benefits that come with union membership.

Hey everyone, I’m in Ontario and currently looking for a general job. I was currently laid off months ago as a plumbing apprentice in the union. I been needing to find employment outside of plumbing until i get a call for work so i can afford to pay my mortgage payments. Currently I’ve sent out over 200 resumes to places like stores, restaurants, and similar roles, but none of them have led to an interview. Either I get no response or just rejections.

I honestly don’t know what the issue is. I thought general jobs are supposed to be easier and quicker to get, but I’ve had no luck so far.

Is it something wrong with me or my resume, or is there something else going on?

I’d really appreciate any advice or help appreciate it!

Hey everyone, I’m in Ontario and currently looking for a general job. I was currently laid off months ago as a plumbing apprentice in the union. I been needing to find employment outside of plumbing until i get a call for work so i can afford to pay my mortgage payments. Currently I’ve sent out over 200 resumes to places like stores, restaurants, and similar roles, but none of them have led to an interview. Either I get no response or just rejections.

I honestly don’t know what the issue is. I thought general jobs are supposed to be easier and quicker to get, but I’ve had no luck so far.

Is it something wrong with me or my resume, or is there something else going on?

I’d really appreciate any advice or help appreciate it!