COVID-19 Update 4/22/20

[Buzz]

April 22, 2020
To the Members of ATU Local 1181-1061:

This attached document was created by the Union to ensure the safety ofour members and has
been sent to your employers and the New York City Department of Education.

In addition, this document outlines preliminary protocols for the members of our Local Union to
return to service in a safe and responsible manner with minimal risk to our drivers, escorts and
the children we transport.

Keep in mind that these protocols are subject to change depending upon new information and
updates received from the CDC, Department of Health and/or our Government officials.

Our Local Union is united with its members and we know the importance of staying ahead of
the curve in order to ease back into service safely, efficiently and effectively.

In these challenging times, we want to ensure all of you that we continue to work diligently on
your behalf to create the most safe and seamless transition back to service.

On behalf of myself and the executive board from our families to yours; be safe and stay well.
Thank you.

In Solidarity,

Michael Cordiello

President/Business Agent

and the Executive Board
ATU Local 1181-1061


*******************************


Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181-1061
SCHOOL BUS RETURN TO SERVICE, WORK CONDITIONS AND
SAFE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
April 22, 2020

Each school bus company shall designate someone from company management to oversee
compliance with the following guidelines. This designee shall be available to the union and
its members to address any concerns related to these guidelines.

1- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)— EMPLOYERS MUST SUPPLY THE
F OLLOWING:
a) CDC compliant face masks
b) CDC compliant gloves
c) CDC compliant cleaning and disinfecting solutions and wipes

II- TRAINING- THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DOE) IN
COORDINATION WITH THE PRIVATE COMPANIES SHALL CONDUCT THE
FOLLOWING TRAINING ASAP

a) How to properly and safely use face masks and gloves.
1) The proper way to put on a mask and gloves.
2) How to properly remove gloves and masks safely as to ensure no
spread of the virus.
b) Proper and safe use of cleaning and disinfecting solutions.
1) When to use cleaning and disinfecting solutions?
2) How to use cleaning and disinfecting solutions so that they effectively
kill the virus.
0) How to properly load and strap in a wheelchair While limiting the chance for
spread of the Virus.
d) How to properly and safely greet, load and discharge children using social
distancing protocols.
e) How to seat children on the bus so as to n_0t promote spread of the Virus,
keeping the children, drivers and attendants safe.

"flea"

1) General Education— one child to a seat, every other seat, also
children must sit near the window on both sides of the aisle for
maximum distancing.

2) Special Education— properly distancing our most vulnerable
children.

111- SCHOOL BUS WORKERS COMPLIANCE AND 19A MEDICALS
a) NYC DOE in coordination with the school bus companies shall set—up by
appointment, locations where drivers and attendants can have their yearly
physicals completed by soliciting Physicians who will work with the DOE and
the companies.

IV— TESTING for COVID-19

a) As a precaution all drivers, attendants and mechanics shall be tested for
COVID-l9 before school bus service resumes.

b) DOE and the companies shall establish a system by which drivers, attendants
and mechanics who test positive shall be paid at full pay for all sick leave due
to the Virus. This shall include all time spent in quarantine and recuperation
until they are fit for duty and can return to work as ordered by their doctor.

c) All drivers, attendants and mechanics shall be tested for antibodies.

(1) All drivers, attendants and mechanics shall have their temperature taken upon
arriving to work each day in order to protect co-workers and the children they
serve.

V— PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND CHILDREN

a) Parents and guardians shall be required to wear face masks when delivering or
picking up a child from the school bus.

b) Children shall be required to wear a face mask before entering a school bus
and until after they leave the school bus.

c) Because this is a community spread virus, those who do not comply can be
refused service as this puts the other children and the school bus staff in
danger.

d) The DOE and and/or companies shall supply school bus workers with
additional face masks to give children Who do not have access to a face mask.

In Solidarity,

Michael Cordiello, Presidentfl3usiness Agent
and the Executive Board

ATU Loca11181-1061

[04012013]

According to this guideline, a General Ed bus can transport approx 11 students properly spaced!

[WigWag16]

I mean it sounds great in theory......it's great to be taking extra precautions when we go back to work BUT will students and teachers be wearing masks all day in class? Also good luck to us drivers getting students not to sit next to each other. Also if we have a full bus how are we getting kids to sit every other seat ? That's a lot of conditions that isn't even set in place or possible given the current system. There is wishful thinking and of course concern for how long before that could happen

[PROUD MEMBER]

If these GUIDELINES are to be adhered to then I would ASSUME each run will become a lot longer. Example: If a route has 33 students, once you get 11 students on the bus then you go to the school and then go back for the next 11 and so on.

[Buzz]

This is what the union is requesting. Doesn't mean it's going to happen.

The "request" I would like to have seen in there is for some kind of plexiglass partition for the driver, as I've heard are being installed on city buses ... not sure if true.

I also suggested that those long clear plastic strip "curtains" ... like are/were used on some refrigerated sections of supermarkets ... would be fairly cheap, easy to install and serve the purpose.

[yabba]

the curtain is a great idea..    reality is we lucky we see mask and gloves...

[Buzz]

the curtain is a great idea..    reality is we lucky we see mask and gloves...

Thank you and you're right about the PPE.

Fun Fact: The idea of hanging the runs in those plastic sleeves to prevent them from ripping off (or getting pulled off) was also my idea back when Buono was still here and Eddie was shop steward.

[yabba]

Another good idea.     Can you come up with an idea for soap in the bus wash.   

[steady]

Concerning the idea of long plastic strip curtains.  Keep in mind that everything can become contaminated.  We would have to go through them to get seated.  When they brush against our body.  Also harder to clean. Anything created would be best solid- easier to clean.  Same as MTA buses.  I can't see any partition designed and installed in time for this school season.

[WigWag]

A quick and easy fix would be face shields but i truly think they would be annoying when driving.

[Buzz]

Another good idea.     Can you come up with an idea for soap in the bus wash.   

Now you're asking for the impossible!   

[Buzz]

Concerning the idea of long plastic strip curtains.  Keep in mind that everything can become contaminated.  We would have to go through them to get seated.  When they brush against our body.  Also harder to clean. Anything created would be best solid- easier to clean.  Same as MTA buses.  I can't see any partition designed and installed in time for this school season.

Definitely a plexiglass partition would be better. Curtains would be an alternative if plexiglass were not an option.

[Buzz]

A quick and easy fix would be face shields but i truly think they would be annoying when driving.

Not enough protection for my comfort.

[Eucerin]

How about this:
https://pksafety.com/dupont-tychem-10000-tk587s-hazmat-training-suit/#&gid=1&pid=2

[WigWag]

How about this 

http://www.daimanuel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/head-in-a-fish-bowl.jpg