Chapter 19

John looked out the window and noted the setting sun.

Turning to Mei he said, “Since you rode in here on a street bike, you should probably get moving out. This path really needs good visibility even for large vehicles. The site opens at 0600, work starts at 0700. Assuming you want the job, your day rate will be $1,000 all inclusive. We’ll be looking for you in the morning” he finished with a smile shaking her hand after standing.

Petra turned to John, “I don’t recall seeing anything in your resume about working in Korea?”

John, pondering how and when she would have seen the resume, replied “Because I’ve never been there personally. They contacted me through Germanischer Lloyd, another IACS company that was working the Panama Canal expansion which is on my resume, to review the paper. If you look at the bottom right corner of her Ultrasonic certificate, you’ll see my GL stamp and signature on it.”

Petra looked surprised then scanned the aforementioned document finally seeing the stamp.

“Today has certainly been educational I must say” Petra said.

Carl and Dot walked in the room at that moment, each looking relieved for their own reasons.

John said to Carl, “The day rate for her is low for her qualifications, especially for a short-term contract like this one. She is severely over qualified for this, but if she wants it, I strongly suggest taking her up on it.”

Carl, seeing the look on Petra’s face, quickly nodded his head in agreement. Carl followed up with, “We have the budget to increase the rate up to $1,400 with Gas Company approval. But I don’t think that will sit well with Jose as he is only at $1,300 himself as the Chief inspector.”

Petra looked at Carl and said, “Then make it $1,200, the company will approve it.”

Dot looked confused.

Carl looked at Dot knowing what was going through her head. “Day rates are the norm for contract work like this. It’s not the same as Union scale, though with per diem, scale, and the rest, it works out to be about the same money as per the contract.”

Dot nods at this, then said “I need to get back to the hall, and since I rode out here with you, when can we go?” Carl nodded and led her out the door.

Petra spoke up after they left. “My father wanted me to ask some questions while I was here. Do you have time?”

John said “Sure, if you give me a moment to check in with my wife.”

He didn’t need to even stand as Pixy walked through the door at that moment. Pixy walked up to John giving him a hug, saying “I need your wash ticket, I’m picking up our clothes after grocery shopping.” John dug into his wallet, and past the ticket to her.

Pixy said “If the table is clear, we want to cook some steak on the grill tonight, you good with that?” John nodded, got a kiss on the cheek, then Pixy walked back out the door.

Grabbing a water out of the mini fridge he turned to Petra and said “I’m all ears.”

Petra then asked if it would be alright to call her Papa on a conference call. John nodded saying it would be better to do so in the office pointing at a sign he hung up on the door “conference call in progress, do not disturb.”

After settling in the office, while the photographer went outside to take some site pictures, she dialed in. When it answered, she said “Papa, I have John on speaker with me.”

John said “Buenos tardes, Señor Rodriguez.”

“Good evening, John. As you know, the Reno leg is getting close on the planning stage. There are questions we need answered before finalizing the FEED*. Unfortunately, there is no one on this end who is willing to tell the Gran Jefe if he is wrong on this end. You are known for being a straight shooter, can I count on that?”

“Absolutely Señor” John replied.

“Just call me Raul please” Señor Rodriguez said.

“Then what can I do for you Raul?”

“As you know, our permits, will expire in one year’s time. Our estimate for completing the leg is fourteen months. If it was your’s to do, how would you bridge that gap?”

John replied “Automation, both welding and inspection. The problem there is getting the Operators’ Union to go along with it. They were the cog that forced this one into manual welding when they refused to work this project without the pipe fitters being involved, as well as the non-union automated operators it would require. As I see it, the core of the problem resides there. That being getting the IOUE** to play along. You’re facing that problem either way it cuts. If they insist on the pipe fitters being involved, you are back to manual, and will be hiring in at least 2,000 teams to make your schedule, and that assumes they are available, which I seriously doubt.

Going automated significantly reduces manpower and time, but then you are back to the IOUE again. Get them to play ball and it’s no problem, otherwise it’s time to file for permit extensions.”

Raul then said “You didn’t mention anything about the automated crews or equipment. I know that you have them, so why didn’t you mention it?”

“Señor, it’s a matter of honor. I have a non-compete contract with Carl’s company but more than that, he has my word I wouldn’t cut him out of work in this region. The latter is more important to me. I’d as soon hang up my tools permanently before selling my honor.”

“No, no, I would not ask you to do so, but it does leave me in a quandary. Do you have any suggestions?”

John replied “As much as it galls me, you need some ‘special’ organized people of influence to sit down with the IOUE, and force them to suck it up.”

Raul replied “And you know some of these ‘special’ organized people?”

“By happenstance, I do, but I would have to meet in person as other organizations have taken an interest in their operations. I don’t know if they are the right people, but I’m sure they will know who are the right people if they are not.”