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.   

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

News From 1181, Yesterday August 20th, 2013,  the employers, and 1181 appeared before the Honorable Kiyo A. Matsumoto, US District Judge, for oral argument on the request for injunctive relief based on the unfair labor practice local 1181 filed. Judge Matsumoto demonstrated a strong familiarity with the issues, but did not issue a decision. Based on the argument, we believe there is a reason to be cautiously optimistic. 1181 will continue to call on the employers to return to the bargaining table to negotiate an agreement in good faith.

Hey, you want to know how to get back at ownership, opt back in to the medical plan. You will hit him right in the pocket. There will be a big move to try to get everyone back in when we get back to work. We do a lot of bellyaching, and rightfully so, but this is a good way to make a statement. Your talking about a lot of money, that just might get his attention. It's like playing chess, we make a move, they counter, well now is our move. Think about it.

Well the NLRB hearings have ended, the evidence has been presented by all sides, written arguments, are due in September.  Once they are heard the judge can issue a decision, once he decides. the union is continuing to seek an injunction from federal court, written arguments are to start next week and oral arguments are scheduled for August 20th. I do not know how long it would take for a judge to rule on that. Sorry I don't have more information on these matters, but to tell you the truth, that is about what's happening. We are in the hands of the attorneys, so this could be a long haul, the owners are going to take this matter as far as they can. All we can do right know is wait. Remember this, Pioneer is considered #1 in our industry, and the reason it's #1 is because of it's employees, we are top notch, we know it and the OWNER knows it, so when we go back in September, keep that in mind, we can keep up our high regard, or we can bring it DOWN.  Take care, if I hear any up dates on our current situation, I will surly inform you. Enjoy the rest of the summer,  Ya Right.

Hi from the world of the Unknown, a little bit of information on just what's going on with our current situation. I, along with Ernie have been going to the NLRB and getting interviewed by their attorneys. We actually went to the NLRB in Brooklyn on 4 different occasions, regarding the up coming hearings.  On 7/22/13 the NLRB hearings began. These hearings are being held at the NLRB Office, 120 West 45th. St. NYC. on the 14th Floor. These hearings are opened to the public if anyone is interested in attending. During that week, members of our union were called to the witness stand to testify. Among the people testifying were our President, our lead attorney, and myself, among other union members and officials. These hearings went on for five days.

This week they resumed on Monday 7/29/13, among those that will be testifying are various owners of the bus companies that are involved in the complaint, our owner included, and various Union officials, such as, the Vice President, delegates, and other union members. How long will these hearings last is anyone's guess. Know, this is important, when a ruling finally is reached, it's like this, if the ruling is in our favor, it doesn't mean that you would automatically  get what is coming to you, the judge can rule that the owners and the union have to go back to the table with no mention of any monies owed to the employee, or the Judge can rule that the owners and the union go back to the table and the owners have to give the employees all or some of the monies owed to them. Know after hearing all that, guess what, the owners have the right to appeal the decision 2 more times, so it looks like this NLRB CIRCUS, IS GOING TO GO ON QUITE A WHILE.

Know on the other hand, the union has filed an injunction in Federal Court on the same issues that we are in the NLRB with (unfair labor practice), this is a little different, because if a Judge in the Federal court rules in our favor, the owners must obey the ruling. Now that Judge can also rule a couple of different ways. Also the word is that the Federal Court Judge would like to rule on this issue before we go back to work.