Quote from: GMC JOE on January 31, 2013, 02:35:32 AM
  I do not see any reason why a peaceful demonstration can not be done at the STATEN ISLAND ZOO !  Many parents should be there . Media would be there , the Mayor would be there , LET"S ROLL !      

We will be there ... see my other post, "Let Our Leaders LEAD."

I understand and experience the same fear, frustration and uncertainty as most of you. But understand that we must stand united and stand strong or we will have defeated ourselves. Let's not try to second guess our leaders. They know all too well that they have the fate of 8,000 people and their families in their hands and the stress and pressure of our situation is weighing on them heavily during the 12 to 15 hours per day they have been putting in during the strike.

Michael is co-strategizing every aspect of the strike with Larry Hanley. There is no better negotiator than Larry. They are collaborating with the AFL-CIO as well as the Central Labor Council. Michael conducted a telephone "town-hall" meeting with parents in Brooklyn last night, 94% of whom were in favor of us. (Overall surveys show that 75% of parents support us.)

At The Zoo - The mayor will be at the zoo Saturday for Ground Hog Day. Drivers, matrons and parents will be there demonstrating from 6:00 in the morning. The mayor is due at 7:00. Anybody is welcome to participate ... be at the zoo at 6.

Also on Saturday - One or 2 busloads of school bus drivers from Boston will be at Pioneer in the Bronx and Reliant at 10 a.m. From there they will meet up with the parent group "PIST" and form a caravan around Gracie Mansion between 12 and 2.

There will be more demonstrations and news conferences in the near future which have not been firmed up yet. Every day more and more parents, politicians and unions are coming forward with their support. Our union leaders are working tirelessly to make these things happen and are making every attempt to have us back to work in February. Let's back them and not undermine their efforts, and above all stand united and stand strong!

Quote from: driver on January 30, 2013, 09:34:42 PM
I understand, but the 1,100 runs that are up in June, If those drivers lose those runs, do you know what happens?? It becomes a union master pick, in senority..  and then what?? If we dont' get the epp put back in, then the union is going to have to protect us in senority, and those guys will take our runs..

You just stated the very reason why we cannot go back to work until we have the promise of job security, even if only temporary while negotiations are carried out.

Quote from: driver on January 30, 2013, 09:34:42 PMAlot of drivers and matrons that I am talking to feel the same as I do.. and want to go back to work now.. You hear one thing on the news and that's it.. not enough is going on...  I wish the union would simply end the strike and negotiate another way..

What the you and "alot" [cic] of drivers and matrons who want to go back to work don't understand is that we do not have a contract now.  (Pioneer does, WE don't.) You may go back to work for less pay, and may or may not have benefits. The union cannot "simply" end the strike without at least the guarantee of job protection. We give in now, we loose everything.

Also, for anybody thinking of becoming a scab ... you might as well have a big red "X" tattooed on your forehead and know that the union can impose a fine for every day that you work ... which may be equal to or greater than what you get paid for a day.

You might want to give it a little more consideration.

I think the key is at what point do they become "permanent" replacement workers. I don't know how that is defined.

Well, no deposit was made to my account and I got a notice of determination from unemployment telling me that my benefits are suspended until March 6 due to being out of work because of a strike ... "or until the controversy has ended or until permanent replacement workers have been hired."

I know others interviewed him, but could only find a video on WPIX ...

Hmmm ... I wasn't asked all those questions ... strike, etc.  ... no direct deposit yet. Guess I'm OK. ()

As of now, no coverage after Thursday.

You filed a claim last week and certified this week. Didn't ask me the reason either ... gave that info last week ... just a regular weekly claim form this week. I don't think there's a problem but if you have any doubt, call them.

Our local's lawyer interviewed on WBAI 99.5 FM "Building Bridges" radio, followed by Jimmy Hedge. Fast forward to 1:00 to get past the introductory music.

http://ia801609.us.archive.org/24/items/BuildingBridgesNycMayorBloombergProvokesSchoolBusStrike/schoolbusntl3.mp3

As I understood the instructions after filing a claim last week, we are to certify benefits every week ... just a reminder to do it Sunday.

The poster is not doing anything wrong ... entitled to his/her opinion, that's what it's all about here. Seems to have a misguided sense of brotherhood and the importance of the strength of unity. Running scared, but not necessarily a bad person.

Andrew says you have to get your money in today or else the pool is off. Somebody will be there to collect money all three shifts ... either Andy, Bob Hearn, or Anthony Francese. It's now or never!!

Quote from: Goose623 on January 26, 2013, 06:02:52 AM
If you go on afl-CIO website there is a statement from union President Cordiello. He met with Bloomy on weds. Looks like the mayor wants everyone to sit down and make a deal.

Couldn't find it on the AFL-CIO website, but here is Michael's statement ... http://atu1181.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/important.pdf

But again, the mayor is blowing smoke up everybody's ass if the city is not at the meeting. This is not an issue that can be resolved between the union and contractors. Bloomy is the one who caused us to go on strike and he has to be part of the equation or we're getting nowhere.

The way I see it, contractors have to say to the mayor something like, "Look, extend the EPP for 'X' number of months/years to give us time to negotiate contracts that will enable us to submit lower, more competitive bids."

However that will happen will be for the local and coalition to duke out. As near as I can estimate ... and I admit it's not exact ... our salaries/benefits barely amount to 30% of Bloomy's 1.1 billion dollar transportation budget. (If the union does not know exactly what that percentage is, they should hire somebody to figure that out.) Where is the rest of the money going? Maybe the mayor should look at specialized services such as helicopters, ambulances, private nurses, etc. And somebody should tell him the people who provide those services are not 1181. We're not what's wrong with this picture.

Quote from: Rock Steady on January 26, 2013, 04:30:24 AM
... I myself have two small children, a massive mortgage,  and a very expensive wife, ...

Might want to start cutting your losses ... start with the latter ... LOL.

(Just kidding, bro.)