I was introduced on the 1984 Shut down at San Onofre as ” meet Mike from Detroit, he is on a mission from heaven”” by my fitter . I was in San Diego to take my wife to see her dying mother, my father to see his 93 year old father. 1 year later all 3 were dead. I happened by the pipefitters union hall and signed book 4 for out of state welders. The call came in day before we were to leave. I passed the weld test and hired in 7 days 12 hours @ 30 something. My partner Eric took me to the tent /office and asked for my w4 form which he tore up, filled out a new one with my name and put “exempt” then signed it. I saved 24k in 10 weeks, saw the olympic flame pass by , worked on the Ocean, met great people and made contacts.I did buy about 20k worth of silver 100 oz bars and stuffed them in a suitcase for the drive home. My son and son in law became apprentices 2-1/2 years ago there. I owe a great deal of thanks to the people of California, the people of Local 230 San Diego, and the warm and kind people on this board who assisted me with finding places to live for my family as they migrated to the wonderful place that is San Diego. Bearish Gurl , especially helped me and for that words are not enough but will have to do for now until I can thank this person face to face. So God bless this forum, the people of San Diego and the great state of California, and thank you for making a dream come true for so many.The nuke closing was a sad day for me but I understand. I also understand the man hours for fitters and welders that will come and help the economy with jobs to build replacement power, no matter the source. Motown
