Strike: Vote Yes or No?

[Buzz]

Just got off the phone with our delegate, John Cleary. I called asking what the contractors are offering as people were asking me why we should or should not vote to strike.

First, for newer people: IF THE STRIKE VOTE PASSES IT DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE INSTANTLY AND AUTOMATICALLY ON STRIKE!  A strike vote just gives our president the authority to call a strike should negotiations become deadlocked without the owners bargaining in good faith. HE MUST BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT AUTHORITY FOR THE OWNERS TO TAKE US SERIOUSLY.

To get back to my conversation with John, he said the contractors are offering basically NOTHING. The union is asking for everything lost in 2013 and more. They are offering almost nothing else beside a 2% raise over a 2-year contract, which is totally unacceptable.

So, understand, it's not just for the "new" people ... hired since 2013 ... that we would authorize a strike. The legacy people are being offered shit as well and could conceivably even lose some of what we gained without the threat of a strike.

Without passing a strike vote we have nothing to stand on and would have to accept whatever shit contract they shove down our throats ... just like they did in 2013. We MUST vote to strike. (And I have no doubt it will pass union-wide as well as at Pioneer.)

John will be here on Tuesday if you want to ask any questions.

[Bussin4Livin]

Give us guaranteed weeks and or cut in top pay!! Enough of this two day/3 day work week scenarios

Voting yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

[04012013]

"So, understand, it's not just for the "new" people ... hired since 2013 ... that we would authorize a strike. The legacy people are being offered shit as well and could conceivably even lose some of what we gained without the threat of a strike. "

So the "Legacy" members are now concerned about receiving what they forced on "New" hires?  Oh, OK!!

[Buzz]

So the "Legacy" members are now concerned about receiving what they forced on "New" hires?  Oh, OK!!

Five years ago it was a matter of ratifying or going on strike ... again ... while still feeling the sting of the previous one.

But hey, it's a dog-eat-dog world out there.

[04012013]

When the "New" hires outnumber the "Legacy" members, maybe they should vote to dismantle the "Legacy" benefits above theirs, so we are ALL under one contract. Then maybe there will be bargaining power instead of questioning how to vote  on a strike vote. Dual contract selfishness will disappear.

[Slowbus]

this chat is hotter 🔥🔥🔥🔥than the Canadian wildfires this afternoon they really offering shit a 2 year contract and a 2% raise which is a pay cut with inflation at record high that's a 👋 in the face also treating legacy drivers like new unacceptable which raises the question why would a younger driver stay here mta is looking better and better every day

[Buzz]

When the "New" hires outnumber the "Legacy" members, maybe they should vote to dismantle the "Legacy" benefits above theirs, so we are ALL under one contract.

Well, I agree there should be one contract for everybody but the union would never do it by presenting an MOA that takes away from senior members. That's like the socialist  tactic of making everybody equally poor.

Bringing up the newer hires to the level of the older ones is the only way.

[Buzz]

... which raises the question why would a younger driver stay here mta is looking better and better every day

Agreed 100%. This is absolutely no place for younger people.

[Bussin4Livin]

Listen end of the day "old" people or "young" people guess what we all are working here because we have no other options. Anywhere you go to work it's 6-6 1/2 years for top pay. How the hell we even settled on 12 is insane. We do need to be under one contract because it's constantly pitting drivers against each other and envious of what certain drivers have and certain drivers don't. The legacy drivers put their time in and got what they felt they deserved , well guess what it's our time now to get what we deserve. He's "losing money" because drivers aren't staying and more importantly he can't get drivers NOW to come in because it's horrible what the new contract drivers gotta go through. We want our seat at the adult table now with the rest of you guys and stop sitting at the kiddie table with our 2-3 day pay checks or picking a run that has a catholic or Jewish school on it so we get a fulls weeks pay. Ball is in our court now and we as drivers are fed up with the constant differences in contracts that overlap each other. Guaranteed weeks for all or cut top pay in half with all holiday pay not waiting 3-4 years for certain holidays. What's fair is fair and what's right is right. You guys got your piece of the pie, we want ours now. And yes you legacy drivers did lose a lot BUT still got something out of it more so than what we "new drivers" can brag about in the contract we had that's expiring.

[Buzz]

Of course everyone should be under one contract. Twelve years to top pay is ridiculous as is 2 and 3 day weeks. None of the disparity is "fair."

Although senior people must vote for a strike that does not mean they will vote against another contract that is unfair to 2013-plus hirees. If the contract is good for them, they're going to vote to ratify it ... like last time. It's human nature. We don't want a strike.

However, this time around there are more hirees here 10 years or less ... in both the company and union ...than senior drivers. So, ultimately it will be up to you guys to stick together and vote the contract down if you're not happy. Together, your votes outnumber those of senior drivers.

But be aware ... if you do vote down an MOA that means a strike. It's the only alternative. When the local presents us with an MOA, that is the contractors' best and final offer. THERE IS NO GOING BACK TO THE TABLE as people like to say. You either accept it or go on strike. Period.

Choose wisely.

[PROUD MEMBER]

MAKE SURE you vote on Tuesday 6/13/23!
Don't think that ur vote doesn't make a difference! Suggestion, go in 15 minutes early and vote. Reason being after the morning run some of us get sidetracked or are just to lazy to go back to the yard.
My opinion - Whether ur a senior member or a "new hire" we all MUST vote yes! Having said that, do I want to go on strike? Definitely not but it's obvious that our President & Delegates need more bargaining power and leverage to get these greedy owners to negotiate!

[PROUD MEMBER]

One more thing. Today and Monday pass the word on to those that may not be on these websites or are just unaware of the vote. Many of us might think that the vote is already decided that it will be a majority YES vote. That's not the way to think. Hillary thought the same thing and we see what happened to her!

[Buzz]

Nobody WANTS a strike ... not even the owners. The question is, how much are they willing to give to avoid one?

[Bussin4Livin]

Is the vote only taking place at AK or both yards?

[Buzz]

Is the vote only taking place at AK or both yards?

As I posted earlier, Anthony told me there will be somebody at BOTH yards from about 5 a.m. at Arthur Kill and about 5:45 at Sharrotts.

[PROUD MEMBER]

I'm assuming there's around 430 active Drivers & Matrons at Pioneer SI.
There's no more field trips and since the delegates are coming early there really isn't any reason for anyone not to vote.
Let's take a guess. I'll start
I'll say only 291 people vote.
Ur next Buzz

[Bussin4Livin]

Wrong! There still are field trips lol. I got my charter today and a trip Friday. Likely not as many trips as we have had since this is the last week of trips I'm assuming. I'm voting yes as soon as I get to the yard before I leave....my concern are drivers that have no idea what is going on and just vote no

Btw I heard from a friend who works for NYCBUS that they had their vote yesterday and it passed although 40 people voted no

[PROUD MEMBER]

Are you talking about field trips or are you talking about paid trips and paid charters?

[Bussin4Livin]

Are you talking about field trips or are you talking about paid trips and paid charters?

Paid charter today, Friday a trip from a school to another school with 5 other buses(regular trip slip)

[PROUD MEMBER]

After voting this morning,  I think the number maybe a little higher than I said. Reason being is they locked the back door, so you cannot sneak in and out, you have to go through the front door so basically you're forced to vote.

[Bussin4Livin]

After voting this morning,  I think the number maybe a little higher than I said. Reason being is they locked the back door, so you cannot sneak in and out, you have to go through the front door so basically you're forced to vote.

good, I'll be voting yes in 5 min when I walk in.

[Bussin4Livin]

Just voted yes 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[Buzz]

I'm assuming there's around 430 active Drivers & Matrons at Pioneer SI.
There's no more field trips and since the delegates are coming early there really isn't any reason for anyone not to vote.
Let's take a guess. I'll start
I'll say only 291 people vote.
Ur next Buzz

Don't know the numbers but I'll say 95% of drivers, `15% of matrons ... if that.

[Buzz]

Paid charter today, Friday a trip from a school to another school with 5 other buses(regular trip slip)

I'm told the "trips" are graduation-related. No movies or pet stores. But OPT lies. 

[Bussin4Livin]

Buzz any idea when the results will be told?

[mirrorcheck]

It comes down to the majority here under the old legacy and the new people want better . At least that's the way it seems to people I talk to. The sooner we say we all want that one contract and 40 week guarantee.
       I'm not for a strike , I did vote yes but there simply is no option. If we voted no strike your simply taking it in the shirts waving the white flag.
        What's going on at this place isn't the exception it's the norm. Not just local, not regionally BUT nationally . Owners know it. They want the union and membership to blink. Stare right back . Look at the big picture . We are all in this together !!!
       PS. Notice how I didn't shoot at the legacy guys, don't single out the new guys . It's all one . That contract with 12 different ways to Siberia was and is a farce . Just like election night people watch results come in and the Networks poll how one group voted or another group voted , all divisive topics. Everyone here wants better for themselves and family regardless of their age , if the MTA is hiring or how much etc etc. the sooner we stop falling for the claptrap and uniting fully , the better !!!!

[Buzz]

Buzz any idea when the results will be told?

For us it was  294 - YES, 68 - NO, 1 - VOID.

2 smaller companies voting tomorrow. Should have overall results for the union sometime tomorrow. 

[PROUD MEMBER]

Any idea how many SI Pioneer members didn't vote

[Bussin4Livin]

I think a valid more than fair enough contract is 2 or 2.5 raise for 4-5 years WITH guaranteed weeks FOR ALL and/with cutting top pay from 12-6/7 years

[PROUD MEMBER]

Top pay 7 years
Family medical 1 year
2.25 2.25 2.5 for a total of 7% over the next 3 years
I'd be happy as opposed to a Strike (if need be).

[Bussin4Livin]

Top pay 7 years
Family medical 1 year
2.25 2.25 2.5 for a total of 7% over the next 3 years
I'd be happy as opposed to a Strike (if need be).

Need guaranteed weeks in there....those 2-3 day pay checks aren't cutting it anymore

[Buzz]

Any idea how many SI Pioneer members didn't vote

Well, adding up the 294 - YES, 68 - NO, 1 - VOID that did equals 363 that did vote. I don't know how many we are overall so I don't know how many didn't.

[Buzz]

We have to be realistic about what to expect. Yes we'd all like to see nice raises and we will get some kind of raise whether it's what we expect or not.

And I really HOPE that new guys at least get guaranteed weeks. Shorter wait times for health coverage certainly makes sense, as does shorter time to top pay. Will we get that? Who knows.

As with every contract negotiation, the union asks for "everything" and the owners offer almost nothing. Generally they meet somewhere in the middle. To expect to get "everything" back is only wishful thinking.

Sorry to say, but I can almost guarantee that those hired since 2013 will never see summer accrual. I'd love to be wrong about this.

[Bussin4Livin]

I will 100 percent be fine with giving us top pay cut in half with guaranteed weeks. Won't hear me complain