The Mob, Unions & The Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant (1985)

60 Minutes- The Mob, Unions & The Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant - 1985
Unions controlled by organized crime helped stretch out construction time to 15 years and add to the $4 billion cost overruns of Long Island’s Shoreham nuclear power plant.
Two of the plant’s former workers said mob-influenced unions had absolute control of work at the power plant in Suffolk County. The plant, built over 15 years at a price of $4.2 billion - nearly $4 billion over its originally estimated cost.
For educational purposes only.

[@andrewlyons9313]

I’m a member of long island’s local plumbers union which covers both Nassau and Suffolk counties. One of our locals oldest active member is in his 70’s who spent several years at the shoreham power pant early on in his career. When I came across this video I asked him what it was really like working on this project. He didn’t get into any details regarding organized crime, however he mentioned reinstalling the same fixture over and over bc his work had been tampered with. He also mentioned sitting around for hours on end until overtime pay kicked in before finally getting to work

[@OwenGilmoreOG]

I don’t really blame the line worker they were getting paid wtf? Ask too many questions and maybe your legs get broken

[@atomsmash100]

My father was a Teamster and he drove trucks with materials to Shoreham while it was under construction. At the entry gate, another union member who "worked" on-site would have to ride with him in his truck from the gate and down the road, and then that person would get out and my dad would keep driving. That was all that person did. My dad was hardcore union, but he said that worksite was the most corrupt he'd ever seen and was an example of unions abusing their power.

[@johnbrazelton6130]

I grew up in Wading River and my family "worked" at this plant. This story is legendary and it's true. Our little town scammed LILCO for billions.

[@metatron5199]

How is the town of wadding river involved in this boondoggle? From my understanding at best the few positions in the town needed to clear things would have been collaborating with the businessmen (llico and all invested parties) along with organized crime…. Wading river didn’t scam llico for billions as llico never had to pay for any of this, the bill was left to long islanders to pay, so something about your statement is very off… if you could elaborate if you have knowledge of what took place within the town at that time that pertains to all this it would be greatly appreciated as i am currently researching this entire scam for a possible video essay, any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers! from a fellow long islander.

[@happydayz7857]

I’m not a big fan of the EPA at all but this is the kind of thing that BEGS for such an organization.

[@usernotfound904]

Idiot

[@TUCKANDROLLE]

Didn’t cuomo put the bill on the customers?

[@metatron5199]

From my understanding (currently researching all of this out of curiosity since I’m a Long Islander) of what ended up happening was yes the bill did get put on all the costumers, now who exactly is responsible for that, I believe it is either cuomo or the judge in the Rico case against llico. There seems like there may have been some back room dealings between cuomo, the federal court and the business men of llico and other interested parties in the matter, to come to this final conclusion of accepting that they (the business interest) would shut down the plant (before it ever was turned on to make any commercial power even though it was fully built and ready to go) and in turn they would only be fined a small portion of the 6 billion it cost to build, i believe llico was only responsible for something like 20 million to be payed back, further the real bill would than be left to the rate payers/tax payers of Long Island. Thus cuomo got to look good, like he was on the side of the ppl bc he helped to get the plant shut down bc of the safety concerns, the business interests looked good bc in the end they got defeated in court and had to pay a little out of pocket, but the people were left paying for all of it. This whole boondoggle is disgusting especially since the people of Long Island were the ones left paying the bill while many individuals were clearly enriched by this entire scam. Truly an example of the worst of the worst in broad daylight. Cheers

[@Legnerps]

I worked at both Shoreham and BNL from 82-2000. Shoreham was FAR safer than BNL. But it was clear to me one of upper management's jobs (both facilities) was to skirt or evade safety and environmental regulations to keep costs down. I imagine this may be true elsewhere...maybe everywhere.

[@joerosselli4473]

4 billion dollar over budget construction ... Mississippi Power Plant Kemper County 2019 . Currently the new power plant is closed.. A Georgia Power Plant billions over budget.... parent company The Southern Company should be a congressional investigation.. how mobbed up are they ?

[@yomama412]

ANOTHER GOOD ONE MOE…

[@queenslander954]

After this union-stitch up , Australia wised up & started clamping down , took years but they are finally under control to a point.

[@johnpatrick1588]

New York State is a Shoreham. High taxes, and high costs all to pay for political corruption, crime corruption, greed, and incompetence.

[@DavidThomas-fb8bq]

I would have hired mr burns and homer Simpson.

[@truenorth3740]

The only thief was Richard Kessel. Still milking Long Island .

[@metatron5199]

Would you mind expanding on exactly what you mean by your comment? I ask bc i am currently researching this whole boondoggle and your comment has caused me to look into this fellow and from what I’ve been able to find and read up on him something isn’t adding up so if you have information that can help it would greatly appreciated! Cheers

[@mancaveandgaragedesignsrec1492]

I would check the general contractors and the superintendents from the general contractors. Also the consultants architects and engineers. Also check the price of permits from the city and state. Those are big ticket prices. I guy makes an hourly wage barely has an impact. Even the stolen hours and no show employees. Haha this was pretty funny though.

[@MitzvosGolem1]

Lived next door

[@jurassicchrist]

🐟👁👁👁

[@metatron5199]

Hi i am currently researching this boondoggle and any first hand experiences or knowledge about this that hasn’t already been put out to the public would be greatly appreciated! Cheers