Greetings, I would like to wish everyone at Pioneer Happy Holidays and all the best to you and your families in the year to come, and wishing you some well-deserved downtime over the holidays. You've earned it. Stay Safe, Andrew

Hi guys, hope everyone is healthy and safe. I have a word regarding the past few weeks of employment, anyone that is entitled to a guaranteed week but received pay for only the days you worked must see myself, or Anthony, if you haven't already, This is a violation of our contract and I  have addressed this issue with ownership.  The union is ready to file for Arbitration unless this issue is resolved, and the persons involved receive their proper wages.   

By the way, I did not receive an e-mail, text, or phone call, from the Pioneer office to work Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of this week.

Hey guys, what a crazy start to the school year, who's got students riding, who don't have students riding, go to your first school in the AM which is closed and wait for instructions, go to your first school in the PM which has no children, why, BECAUSE IT'S CLOSED, and wait for instructions, did you ever witness anything like this in your entire career?             
OK now, I'm taking a survey, I would like to know how many drivers, and attendants with only public schools were officially notified by the Pioneer office to come to work on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, of this week, I want everyone to be honest. I would like to know how many of you drivers, and attendants with only public schools received a phone call, text, or email from the Pioneer office informing you that you must show up for work on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, of this week. Thank You, Andrew

Hello everyone, hope all is well, on Monday, August 17,2020 begins the start of our Fall safety classes. There will be two classes a day for two weeks, the first one will start at 7:30 and the second at 9:30, you will be notified by Pioneer informing you on the day and time of your class. I will not speak at these classes for two reasons, one is that the meetings have a time restriction, and the other is I actually have no information to share. As of yet the city has not issued any guidelines to Pioneer or the union on what to expect on September 10. This is very frustrating to all of us, but lets show them that we are better then them and do what we have to do at this point in time.  Thank You

     Hey guys, I guess by now we all heard the school opening proposal by our Mayor. As of today, the BOE has not revealed any information to the school bus companies regarding what roll we will play when school does reopen, or how we will be working. The Union and the owners are still in the dark. I am waiting on word from Pioneer regarding when and where we will be having our safety classes, and as far as your yearly medicals, it's entirely your choice weather you should get it done. I hope to have some news for you in the coming weeks, as soon as I hear anything regarding our return to work I will get it out to you immediately. Hope all is well with everyone and their families, and lets all think positive.

Wishing all the Pioneer Moms a very Happy Mother's Day, enjoy your families

Hi guys, well I'm feeling much better today, Cathy also is feeling good. We want to thank everyone for your kind words through this difficult time. Hope all is well with you and your families, we are all in this together, and we will get through it together. Remember be vigilant, listen to the officials regarding safety precautions. As for our future after April 20th, no decision has been made yet, when I get the information I will get it out to everyone. I'm optimistic,and looking at the glass as if it is half FULL.  Stay safe. Andrew

        I just want to say a few words regarding the upcoming 1181 election. Ernie and I both support the Cordiello Slate. We know that is not shocking to anyone. Fact is they are the most qualified, they are experienced and they have a large number of political ties. We feel SAFE in having the Cordiello Slate in our corner. They have worked diligently to keep  our pension solvent and our health benefits intact, although the oppositions will say it is isn't true., they say just the opposite .But they are making false statements figuring most people believe what they read and won't go any further and search the truth.

        We attended the nominating meeting and saw the opposing slate being nominated and witnessed confusion and disarray.  Ernie and I both agree they are not competent to run the everyday business of our union and we certainly wouldn't want them defending us at a hearing or even worse negotiating a contract.
        People you have to vote with your head don't vote for someone because they are your friend or you come from the same neighborhood. That isn't the smart thing to do. Don't vote with anger because of the last strike in thinking they did the wrong thing for us. Keep in mind it was not the Cordiello Slate but in fact the then Mayor Bloomburg. The Cordiello Slate worked hard to get back almost everything that was taken from us. You have to vote for someone who has experience and knowledge to get the best that you deserve. We will be receiving the ballots in the mail within the next few days. We know what is important to us and that is why we're voting the Cordiello Slate .We hope you will do the same,

PS .We just got word that the EPP was finally delivered to the Gov ,and that we will be getting petitions tomorrow to be signed by every company.

Regards
Andrew

After having a meeting with our former Shop Steward and some of our delegates about the Salerno slate manifesto I am forced to answer the ridiculous statements made.

As far as shady deals behind the backs of our members with the companies. WRONG  In  every negotiation there are our members  (Drivers and Attendants )  sitting at the table with the Executive Board  and the owners. There are no secrets in our contract negotiations. And all members have a voice in the outcome of any agreement put forward.

Just to inform all ,that our delegates ALREADY come to  their assigned yards every week sometimes more than once as per request for hearings.

Getting back AE monies are impossible, it was a bankruptcy ruled by the courts and NOT by 1181 .Also keep in mind the monies were dispersed by NATIONAL LABOR BOARD and DEPT OF ED. At no time did 1181 disperse any monies.

Another myth is there is no way that you can get rid of Eric Goldstein at the BOE. It’s NOT going to happen.

As far as real wage increases with the politicians help that is called Negotiations and EPP.
Concerning new hired drivers and escorts. We fought and received a $ 3.00 dollar per hour increase in wages. They went from $14.50 to $17.50 an hour per driver. And attendants went from $10.50 to $13.50 per hour. Each new hire is entitled to 5 sick days a year as per New York Sick Leave Law.. And a 1 percent increase every six months.

We are ALREADY in the process of reaching out to new perspective medical providers to get the best medical plan available for our members.

I would like to hear how they are going to set up 3 new head quarters in Brooklyn Queens and the Bronx. Where is the money coming from? And to reirratate they claim they will increase the pension, where is the money coming from without additional money contributed by the MEMBERS.

Our medical is NOT in danger. We are solvent and the reserve is 95 % met from a (.03 ) to a (3.24) as of two months ago. Your claim is that in two years the medical plan lost $ 16,492,498. Maybe so but the part you left out was due to the layoffs caused by bloomburg so  3,000 plus less members did not contribute to our medical fund any longer. So therefore no contribution equals loss of medical funds. Since you wish to quote numbers you should include all FACTS of the equation. This apparently is something that the Salerno Slate never does.

Eddie Kay has zero to do with our EPP .So there is nothing he can do for us. The new EPP language was written and presented by Michael Cordiello along with his political connections and the Lobbyists that were hired by 1181 to make this happen in Albany .And now sits on the desk of Andrew Cuomo waiting to be signed. ABSOULETY NO HELP FROM EDDIE KAY OR MEMBERS FOR CHANGE.

The talk of one union, one contract. For the past 12 years there could never be one union because of the Salerno slate and the MFC and now the Catalano slate pushing the wedge between us all. As far as one contract READ your contract. At the end of this contract we ALL become one contract.

With all due respect to the Salerno slate. This flyer is a joke and fabricated. The heading on your flyer claims honesty. WHERE is it?

Andrew

To all who are concerned about the Pension and Welfare Funds.

This is to satisfy all the non believers. For the truth that comes out of the Cordiello slate. We are not going to hide or lie for anyone. All that is said by the Cordiello Slate is TRUTH and FACTS. All who work at Pioneer are true brothers and sisters who can hold their head up high in knowing they are honorable and hard working men and women. There is not one who I believe that has no dignity. And to say such without the approval of our hard working brothers and sisters is wrong.
The Salerno slate has an agenda; they want people to believe the things they are saying about what they are going to do are absolutely not possible. I have addressed the issue of their flyer in my last post. Yes we did take a hit but we are slowly getting back what we lost. I explained that in all negotiations there is always a give and take. And we gave and took back some. And at the end of the contract we all have the same contract.
Also, I don't believe a union could call for a New York Board of Ed workers job. The union has no RIGHT to do that. So for the Salerno slate to say that is wrong. They have no power to do that. That is an empty statement as usual.
The EPP has been written and brought forward with the help of our political friends by Michael Cordiello and passed through the State Senate and Assembly and now awaiting for the signature of the Governor, no one else can say they did that.

Andrew

Hi Brothers and Sisters, had to get on the site to get a message out.  There will be in October, a nomination union meeting. This meeting is to nominate your board delegates. It is a very important meeting in that you very future lies in the hands of the board.  They are the ones that fight for you every day, I see it with my own eyes, they are at hearings, in yards or at the B.O.E., they also are at contract negotiations, and some members of this board spent countless hours in Albany lobbying for the E.P.P., which is now on the Governor's desk for his signature. Yes we took a hit in last couple of years, but so did allot of other professions, it was and still is troubling times for working people, but we are still fighting, and we are still working.  The fight for higher wages and better benefits is a never ending battle,  some people are saying they now a way to receive better benefits, well  if you want to pay more money each week in your pay check I'm sure that can be done. There isn't anything anyone can say or do that hasn't been said or done by this board of delegates. There is no secrete plan. Although some people may think your so naive to believe they have one. Anything and everything that could be done in our favor is being done by these delegates, Don't be persuaded by swift talkers, people that promise you everything, That is a sign of someone who wants a position so bad, they will make it look like they have the goods.  That happened in our last U.S. Presidential election and see what happened, promises, promises, promises. I urge you to come to the nomination meeting, and make sure we keep the Cordiello slate in tact. We need their experience, and most importantly we must stay united. I will be posting when the date, time, and location, are official. Thank You, Andrew

Hey Andrew here, hope everyone is doing well, I have a couple of things I would like to say in my behalf, what I do, or whom I do it with, in my private life,  is my concern, not yours.  It's none of your business.  As for 1 Union,  who ever he is, I like to refer to him as Lone Wolf, I think that's a better name. It seems to me that his cause to do I don't know what, is a lonely one. Your irrational behavior, and your bitterness is something of concern.  I can't believe that the pressures of this job, or the working conditions here at Pioneer,  would make anyone that bitter. Maybe you should take some time off, the rest might do you good. Our maybe the pressures of this job are to much for you, you might have to get a job with less working hrs. Well I don't known you aren't going to listen to me any way, I read your posts, you don't like me, I guess I'm the enemy, hey that ain't to bad I got ONE enemy out of 500 plus, I'll take it.  Have a great day. P.S. Actually I'm concerned about your well being, maybe your should consult professional help.

I also would like to comment on the upcoming 1181 election.
I along with Ernie support the Cordiello Slate. And this is why:
This is a very delicate time in our unions history, the city is trying to break the union ,and the owners are trying to take back as many benefits from their employees as they can. During the past year the Cordiello slate has done everything possible to keep our union afloat .
They testified for weeks at the NLRB,and won. They spoke at city council hearings and got full support of city council members. They met with Latisha James, the public advocate, and got her support. They have had meetings with Mayor DeBlasio. Before he was mayor, and have met with him since he became mayor. And has been told by Mayor DeBlasio that he understands our situation and he wants to help us. The Cordiello slate also has a lobbyist in Albany working on a bill to pass the EPP into law which Mayor Deblasio and Governor Coumo support. The Cordiello slate has won the support of politicians from the public advocate's office the mayor's office and all the way to the governor's office.
This is why I think a change and putting new people in place at the union is a very bad idea. Changing the slate now would be like starting from scratch. No contacts in city council, no rapport with the public advocate the mayor and the governor. Yes you may not like what happened in the past year but I think by changing our union representation at this time would be an enormous mistake.

Respectfully Andrew

Ok, let me set the record straight. The reason the pick was delayed, was because Ernie and I, were waiting to hear from the union 1181, when we would actually get a hard copy of our contract in hand. We were pushing the envelope, but last night Ernie spoke with our Vice President of 1181, Eddie Gig., who informed Ernie that we would have the contract in our hands next week, the week of Nov. 18th. Ernie advised me at 5:30 this morning about the contract, and we made the decision at that time that we should move the pick, so that our people can receive the contract, and read it fully. Believe me we were not pressured by any employees to not have a pick. Actually, we are getting more pressure, and complaints that we did make the decision of delaying the pick. I'm glad that there are people that want to stick together, and be one, that is a good thing. But to say that by you getting on the internet and boasting that the reason that the pick was delayed because we were pressured by people that won't even I D themselves, is not knowing Ernie. Ernie does what's best for the people at Pioneer, you may not agree with some things, but it is done in the best interest of the employees at Pioneer. As far as the back money owed to us, we will never see it until the contract is ratified. Now, like I said in my last post, when you receive the contract, read it carefully, and make your own decision. Remember it has to be good for you, and your family, and not the opinion of your fellow employees.