Looks like Walcott learned his canned response well from Bloomberg. They insist ad nauseam that it's not their fight. Don't see how this is ever going to be resolved unless and until the city lives up to their responsibility and obligation to work toward an agreement.

Once there's a strike, the "battle lines" are drawn, so to speak. Even though we're not striking against Pioneer it does become somewhat of an "us vs. them" scenario. The EPP is just as good for the contractors as it is for us but the Sword of Bloomberg hangs over their heads. Being under a contract that he threatens them with losing, they have to make every effort to at least try to fulfill their obligations. Stopping benefits is a dirty tactic and I don't agree with it, but I could see it serving the purpose of showing the Evil Dictator they're doing their best to coerce us to go back to work. I don't think Neil wants to hurt or alienate any of us, but the wrath of Bloomberg could devastate him and us even more permanently than being without health coverage.

For those of you who are not on Pioneer's e-mail list, here's what we'll be talking about tomorrow ... http://1181drivers.com/PioneerLetter_2.7.13.pdf

That's correct ... everybody will be Monday - Friday. For the first Friday, tomorrow, both A and B will work. The times of the shifts will stay the same.

Is there an echo in here? 

A sixth grade girl who normally would have been on a yellow bus had her cell phone snatched from her hands as she got off a city bus yesterday. The thief fled the bus with the phone. This was in front of the 122 precinct where her mom works.

Maybe Bloomy will buy her a new one ... or maybe MetroCards provide coverage for such losses ...

FYI ... Probably best to take the ferry to Manhattan, then take Brooklyn bound R train one stop to Court St., B'klyn. Walk a couple of blocks to Cadman Plaza.

Return ... from City Hall take the R again to Whitehall Ferry Terminal.

Just a suggestion.

Ernie asks all who can to be at Petridies tomorrow between 5 - 5:30 p.m.

Quote from: rc1790 on February 06, 2013, 01:05:55 AM
Since the City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York, why can't they intervene without having to ask this
tyrant's permission. They are supposed to provide the system of checks and balances for the city. They have overruled Bloomberg in the past. Why not now?

I guess because he alone is the "czar" of the public school system. Time to bring back the "Board" of education.

Also because they don't care what a mayoral candidate says. (deBlasio is a candidate.)

Sign PA deBlasio's letter to the mayor ... http://action.advocate.nyc.gov/bus

Text of his press conference ... http://advocate.nyc.gov/news/2013-02-05/de-blasio-and-parents-call-city-come-back-table-and-help-end-bus-strike

He knows Staten Island voted for Romney ... LOL.

Something tells me there are going to be a lot of unhappy people if and when we do get a new contract. 

Quote from: rc1790 on February 05, 2013, 02:01:51 AM
Did not receive a call and could not get through with the number for an hour. Can someone give a summary or update on what went on.

Michael also said that the issue of the health coverage will be brought to arbitration. (Didn't say how long that would take.)

Have to say both Michael and Larry sounded very good and exuded confidence that we will get through this successfully.

The biggest news was marching across the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday. Meeting at Cadmen Plaza ... if he said the time I didn't catch it. Anybody?

Also talked about the support we're gaining from politicians and other unions. Working with nurses union to get us free medical attention. They fielded questions from listeners, most of which have been asked and answered a dozen times before tonight. Look for a full page ad in the Daily News, El Diario and some other paper by Thursday.

Too bad you missed it ... very well done.