Let's Ban together!!

[Bluebird]

In all my years I have never seen a more vindictive person than our present gm.he has gotten rid of at least 20 people I know of since he started as gm.I mean WTF? What I hear on the rumor mill is  Neil will be sorry for his choice, the chatter in the company is he hurt so many people that drivers and escorts want to try and rebel and walk out to open Neil's eyes. And from what I hear it's going to happen  soon. I personally have called the union to see what can be done about this tyrant. I suggest the phones up at our delegates should be ringing off the wall. Something must be done. Let's call for a yard meeting. Let's get together with our steward and delegates. Let's find out what can be done to rid us of this animal. I'm sure if we put our heads together we can find a solution. Let's ban together.Whos is favor of going against Neil and the gm?? Now is the time to be heard. Please call the union ,all our futures are at stake.

[Bluebird]

Let me also add.I don't normally post on here about issues.But it's time all the people that work here and put their time in have a voice.What use to be a great job has fallen in the mud.Let's face it fellow co workers. You all must be going home just as frustrated as I do.Get out there and have our shop steward and delegates hear our pleas.

[Goose623]

The union has no power right now.. Unfortunately until we get the EPP back we r sitting ducks...

[worker341]

You are right in your post about our GM and Neil Etc. However you will never get these pussies on the job to ban together. The City Workers killed this job and the Union allowed it. Look around one day and count how many city workers have new buses. And the GM is a city worker. How many city workers lost their jobs. I don't know of any, do you. Neil only knows one thing he is making more money now then he has ever made in his entire life.The other ones who get new buses are the ones in the office. My point is you kiss ass with the office you win. You came from a city job you got it may. So the ones that are left are the working slobs like myself which are not many. So if you think for one moment that you can get people on this job to walk with you, you are dead wrong. However I do wish you luck, but it will never happen. For me I think I will be looking for a new job real soon.

[Bluebird]

Listen we need to wake up the so called pussies because it's their job as well as ours. This is a cry for help among all the workers. It's not about new buses or ass kissers. It's about our sanity and our jobs. It's time to get rid of this disease. He's been a virus since he took this job. He's spreading faster than ebola.

[PROUD MEMBER]

When someone is drunk on the job and is turned in by a school official do you really expect that person to keep his or her job? When someone has an accident and doesn't report it than after the fact is given the chance to report it and still denies it do you really expect that person to keep his or her job? Sometimes my fellow Brothers & Sisters we have to take off the blinders and see things as they are!!

[John Eadicicco]

Please STOP defending someone for losing their job over minor infractions, You get me sick with that statement.WTF!!!!and as for city workers..... I am one.... And one who has been vocal with the powers that be on ALL issues, the problem is that the ppl senior to me... More than 25 years got COMFORTABLE with summers off and the like... So they all had their head in the sand and now realize they are screwed. Shit comes full circle and y'all let it happen!

[PROUD MEMBER]

Well said John. To worker341 although I respect your opinion I have to disagree. You post a comment under the title "Lets Ban Together" then you do just the opposite and call some of your Brothers & Sisters pussies. How do you expect co-workers to listen to your views when you start out by putting then down. As far as retired City Workers ruining this job and the Union allowing it nothing could be further from the truth. First of all eventhough these members already have pensions the majority of them need this job just like anyone else otherwise they wouldn't be working. Secondly with regards to the Union allowing it your not taking the big picture into account. Eventhough retired City Workers may make up a large percentage of members at Pioneer they are a VERY SMALL percentage in this industry. Believe me this Union is not favoring them. As I repeatedly have said "Do your job & do it right."

[Squid]

Owen is a strict boss and a stickler for the rules. Sometimes he does things that are harsh. However, as a former city worker, I can assure you there were some bosses in the PD that made Owen look good. I think the problem here is that some people ,especially people that have been here a long time, don't even know what a real scumbag boss is.

[Buzz]

When someone is drunk on the job and is turned in by a school official do you really expect that person to keep his or her job? When someone has an accident and doesn't report it than after the fact is given the chance to report it and still denies it do you really expect that person to keep his or her job? Sometimes my fellow Brothers & Sisters we have to take off the blinders and see things as they are!!

Exactly. I hate to see anybody lose their job for any reason, but when you put your head in a noose and kick the chair out from under you yourself, who but you determined your fate?

[Bluebird]

I get what your saying John . But HOW did we all let it happen? I mean I know I didn't personally allow Bloomfuck to destroy the epp. And I am a senior driver and worked summers.So I am sure there are those few you are referring to.

But PEOPLE the issue is NOW. We still need to stand up and tell our delegates to do something or we will.

[MOOSE1742]

Same shit from the same people!!

[Rock Steady]

What Owen does best is harass people. Once he has his victim in his sights, he don't stop. He starts by putting a camera in their bus, than giving them old busses to work with, bringing them in for bs hearings, ets.  The only one who truly deserved termination was the drunk. With old Carol, they made a mountain out of a mole hill. Who hasn't gone past busses with their signs out when you get to a school late ? Happens all the time.  Young Carol is simply being harassed.  Sue hit a fixed object, no one on the bus, could have gotten a pass. No one would have known, with all her years. Old Carol and Sue were handed to him on a platter without even a fight, because they had a history with him, if anybody knows. He made it personal, and no one will stop him.

[MOOSE1742]

I want the same treatment your offering! When does it end!

[Bluebird]

It won't end on this website.We have to get our delegates involved.Let them know what is going on.Take the gm's power away.He is only strong if we all stay quiet.Neil is a snake in the grass and proved it when we were on strike and he blew smoke up everyone's ass saying how he wanted the family friendly business to run smooth again.What the fuk does he care he doesn't have the gm sniffing his ass waiting for him to make some stupid mistake.
What happened to his speech "go back to work let's be family"? Why does he allow the gm to target mostly women? If I'm not mistaken that is a sexual harassment suite just waiting to happen. I guess Neil won't mind if all the women the gm is harassing takes his ass to court.

[PROUD MEMBER]

I can't believe what I read. Yesterday it was pick on City Workers day now today its sexual harassment. Plain & simple Sue had an accident and didn't report. That and that alone is grounds for termination but the so called scumbag GM called her in and gave her not one or two but three chances to come clean. She still denied it. Then on top of that she tried to blame it on another driver (a shape)!! As far as passing A bus with its sign out I DO NOT do it. Just because some people do it doesn't make it right. Read the memo on the glass in the driver's room in reference to bus signs in and out. A child got killed by a school bus. TELL THAT PARENT ITS MAKING A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLE HILL. Wake up and do your job!!

[Golfnut]

I agree with everything you just said! Every Refresher Andy and or Ernie stand there and tell us about reporting even the minor accidents. Then Owen Follows it up with the West Shore Expwy Accident and says " that driver still works here because it was reported!" She was given 3 chances , she was here a long time she's heard about reporting accidents 2 xs a year every year..sorry it's no ones fault but her own!! As far as passing Stop signs and Flashing Lights , I certainly don't do it and I would say the vast Majority of people here don't do it. Not saying she should have been let go without a warning but what she did was extremely dangerous.

[John Eadicicco]

I have to respond on Sue's behalf ( without her permission) and hopefully she will not be mad with me. I spoke at length with her about the incident.she picks up her matron every AM on Barclay Ave. A dead end. Drives to end of block and turns around in a parking lot opposite a restaurant. Exits lot and then picks up her escort. The day in question in the dark she apparently ran over an unknown object. Made the van rattle, she drove maybe 10 ft and exited and did Not see an object or any damage. She exited the lot and then got out and walked around vehicle checking for damage, didn't see any. Drove rest of day with NO problems. That was a Friday. Monday did not come in to  work. She is then called into office and questioned about having an ACCIDENT. She says no. She is asked 3 times by Owen if she had an accident and all 3 times says no. She is then asked if she wants to review the camera footage, she doesn't want to because she feels she is being railroaded. Delegate Vinny Butaro tells her by getting out of van a 2nd time doomed her. If feel if it went down in this manner a suspension would have been warranted instead or termination!

[PROUD MEMBER]

As I've said in the past it's unfortunate to see anyone lose their job. John the way you write (or should I say she explained it) sounds plausible but again unfortunately that does not justify (at least in my opinion) her circumstance. First of all whether she VISUALLY observed damage or not she admitted (explained) at least to you that she hit or ran over something. That alone constitutes an accident. Further more she got out of the van to look, does she know if the undercarriage has damage? Right then and there whether or not she sees damage just to be on the safe side she should call it in. If not call the office at least call Ernie or Andy and follow their instructions. Secondly, when called into the office and repeatedly asked if you had an accident she would of had to been literally dumb not to know what Owen was talking about. I know Sue well and she is not dumb but she was probably nervous. When given the chance by Owen all she had to say was "If you're talking about the other day, I think a ran something over but I checked and did not observe anything. If that's what you're talking about then yes I had an accident." Instead she tried to play dumb and on top of it tried to pin it on a shape driver.

[Bluebird]

People, you are discussing three issues that happened and some are debating on here. Here is not where we need to debate or discuss. What we need to do is stand behind each other and get our reps involved. Let them handle this, and let them guide as to what we can and should do. But we NEED to ban together not discuss what driver did what to warrant getting fired. We all ALREADY know wrong or right. But the gm is out for blood. So it only seems fair to say anyone of US is next. I won't give that ratbastard  all the credit for this he also has to answer to neil.So in my opinion it is Neil as well

[PROUD MEMBER]

Bluebird
It's not a debate we're just talking after all is that part of what this site is for. With regards to your remark, "We all ALREADY know wrong or right." Nothing could be further from the truth. Sue didn't know, Carol didn't know, the matron drinking while on the clock didn't know and many others didn't know. I firmly believe here at Pioneer if you get terminated 99% of the time unfortunately you deserved it otherwise Ernie would have made sure you didn't lose your job. Also as I've said in the past for every person that has been fired there is at least one or probably five that could have been fired that were not. And that is definitely because of Ernie and probably because of Owen bending a little. I think this "Let's Ban Together" category was started in a retaliation towards Owen for terminating people. The bottom line is he is doing his job and those who get terminated or fined or suspended are not. Come on guys "Let's Ban Together" and do our jobs to the best of our abilities as PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS & ATTENDANTS and we won't have to worry if Owen is a good or bad boss!!

[Grrr]

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120601195455AAR65qD

[Bluebird]

Thank you Grr for the spelling correction.
And Proud Member ,I can understand what happened to the passed 3 that were terminated. But I am sorry for not agreeing with you on the gm doing his job.He goes way beyond his capacity as a gm. He enjoys being judge and jury to people who were once his co workers.His hands has blood on them for neil.I believe Ernie and Andy are doing the best they can with the way things are.But I also believe we don't have to sit in fear if the gm goes off on another driver to get neils rocks off.
I know there are many drivers who feel the same as I do.If you don't I understand and hope for your sake you don't fall victim to neil and the gm.

[PROUD MEMBER]

This will be my last post with regards to this subject. As I have said I hate to see anyone get terminated. I personally have no problem with Owen as many others also have no problems with him and then there are those who do. I feel for and respect each one's circumstance and opinion. It's just that a firmly believe if you do your job and you do it right he can not fire you and Ernie & our Union Reps will make sure of that. With the exception of drugs or drinking even if you make a mistake as long as you immediately own up to it it is still very difficult to lose your job.

[Buzz]

As with any story, there are always 2 sides. If you're not clear on the facts, ask Ernie or Andy. I don't think we do justice to of any of the parties involved to hold "message board hearings" here, especially when aspects of such may not be appreciated being discussed by our former co-workers.

[PROUD MEMBER]

Buzz but I thought the gist of this subject Lets Ban Together was about Owen being or not being a good GM and unfortunately our former co workers names come up. But your point & concern is understood. Thanks

[Rock Steady]

Sounds to me like someone is auditioning for the GM job when Owen retires.  Things just got very out of hand since Owen took over. Years ago if you knocked off  CLP light or  a mirror on a tree limb you went and got it fixed no questions asked. Now it's considered an accident, and that's just nuts. As per Owen, if you brush a traffic cone or a barrel in the yard your filling out an accident report, he's fucking nuts. And if you agree with that your fucking nuts too. IT was never that way, and it's only Pioneer. Bono wasn't this nuts.  He's taking things to a sick level. A GM shouldn't go out of his way to hurt his people, he should be there to help them.  He should have said to Sue, "was there another vehicle involved", "did any body get hurt", "no ?", "than go on your way, see you tomorrow". The matron wasn't drinking on the job, she drank the night before until 1:00am, probably 6-7 hours before being on the job. She hung herself.  Owen makes something small into something big, he's a sick fuck.

[PROUD MEMBER]

The only thing I would want with regards to Owen's job is his paycheck! I agree that Joe Bono was a good GM but I also understand that in the mere 6 years or so that he is gone the GM position has changed drastically. The rules & regulations & pressure from the BOE, OPT & Neil was nothing back then as it is today. Also the relationship between Neil & the Union was also drastically different. I would have to agree (if true) that hitting a cone in the yard is going to far. Also in just that little bit of time since Joe left technology such as this site, FB, camera phones, etc. is much more prevalent which does not help the GM's job or ours. Oh and lets not forget if it were not for one of our former coworkers (who was working at the time) that made a phone call and thought he was f**king Owen instead f**ked all of us and made our jobs harder. If things were like this when Joe was here I think he would have retired a lot sooner and that's if he would have taken the job to begin with. Have a good weekend!!

[Grrr]

Oh and lets not forget if it were not for one of our former coworkers (who was working at the time) that made a phone call and thought he was f**king Owen instead f**ked all of us and made our jobs harder.

What!!!!      I got to hear this one.   Please tell or private message me.

[J.T.]

Thank you Grr for the spelling correction.
And Proud Member ,I can understand what happened to the passed 3 that were terminated. But I am sorry for not agreeing with you on the gm doing his job.He goes way beyond his capacity as a gm. He enjoys being judge and jury to people who were once his co workers.His hands has blood on them for neil.I believe Ernie and Andy are doing the best they can with the way things are.But I also believe we don't have to sit in fear if the gm goes off on another driver to get neils rocks off.
I know there are many drivers who feel the same as I do.If you don't I understand and hope for your sake you don't fall victim to neil and the gm.

[hognol]

This was quoted by Worker 341.  The City Workers killed this job and the Union allowed it. Look around one day and count how many city workers have new buses. And the GM is a city worker. How many city workers lost their jobs. I don't know of any, do you.

This is the most idiotic statement I've ever read on this site.  I don't know how you consider the city workers killed this job. In what way did they kill it? The majority of this industry in the 5 boroughs are not city workers.  I was a city worker and I do not have a new bus and have been here 7 years.  And as for us not losing our jobs, I can assure you being a city worker has nothing to do with Owen not firing us if he had the chance to do so.  We just know how to cover our ass.  Owen, in my opinion is a strange man. Doesn't look you in the eye, says hello one day and the next he'll walk right by you... But he is a tyrant because that's exactly what Neil wants.  He is the GM and part of his job is to get rid of the senior people who they can fire and save his company money.

[Squid]

Quote from JT
"We just know how to cover our ass" ....
Exactly .  Maybe the most useful skill that one can learn.

[worker341]

Seems like I had upset some people by my statement. This site is a good site, gives you a chance to vent like most of us do on this site. John I don't know how many years you have in Pioneer however you have many more years then me which makes you one of those seniors you said have their heads in the sand. My point is would you like to rotate trips or work in the summer, I don't mind if you would do my trips or work for me in the summer. So is your head in the sand too. As for city workers most of them are very nice people, and I am sorry if I offended most of them. However when it came to signing off on benefits and receiving $3,000.00 a year how many city workers ran to sign up for it. And yes the Union say it was ok. Is this still going on I really don't know does anyone know. And let us all remember Owen and Neil I believe also read this site as well as people from other Companies. My point is the more we vent the smarter they get. I end by saying Owen and Neil you have the best workers here in Staten Island treat us with respect and pay us what we are worth and stop taking back from us more money we all have families counting on us so stop tthe crying that you are losing money we all know it is bullshit. Again I am sorry if I offended anyone let the chips fall as they may.

[Tommy Gall]

You are so right worker.....   This former city worker has a new bus today.... As a spare...  I love it! It has an air horn and everything!    As for us ruining your job, you need to look elsewhere for those to blame for that.... We now have the same job as you and want, need and hope for the same benefits for our families as you do. The silly jealousy of those of us who had city jobs isn't gonna cut it anymore. I'll stop now, collect my stuff out of my nice spare and go find my shit box of a bus and hope it runs today.....

[PROUD MEMBER]

Apparently Bloomberg has & is doing exactly what he set out to do before he left office. BREAK OUR UNION!!!! So far I think the number is between 2500 to 4000 members out of work. Secondly, our Local is now negotiating separate contracts at each property. And NOW members at each property are fighting (at least at Pioneer) amongst ourselves. This Local is literally hanging on by a thread!! Shouldn't we be "Banding Together" instead of "Ripping Apart".

[Rock Steady]

I'm gonna say this !  If I have to vote on a contract that is asking me to pay more for something or give up anything else, it's a solid NO !  These are things I'm hearing. I want my money back.

[worker341]

Now lets see how many dopes sign another shit contract. All I hear is ban togther it will never happen some people on this job keep saying we are lucky to have a job. Maybe luck should run out for all of us and vote no. When the count comes in then we will all see how much we are banning togehter. I will vote no and no and no to all the give backs. Stop the bullshit Niel. Pay us all the right pay and stop putting more money in your pocket you have enough money stop the crying. 

[PROUD MEMBER]

Eventhough Neil is still working under the same contract with the BOE we at Pioneer were basically told it was in our best interest to ratify the last contract eventhough it had give backs. We were told it was the best contract industry wide and I like the majority of us at Pioneer bought into it. I'm not saying it wasn't the best contract offer out there but it just a shame that we gave back and Neil's pay remained the same. That's said & done and we can't change that. Now the rumors are starting which unfortunately I believe to be true about more givebacks, paying more into medical, etc... Another rumor I hear is that Neil is going to get a two year extension. Which if true is definitely good news for the members at Pioneer. If he does get an extension then there is no way we should be asked to pay or give up anything. In the amendment to the contract we last signed (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) I'm sure it read if Neil was to get an extension that he would have to sit down and renegotiate the contract. That suggests to me that the renegotiation would be in our favor and not his!! Has anyone else heard of an extension?

[hognol]

If he gets an extension, I agree, there should be no give backs. However, if the next round of bids go out in May without the EPP, we are truly in deep shit.  And that statement we keep hearing "You're lucky to have a job" will be an understatement.

[Buzz]

If he gets an extension, I agree, there should be no give backs. However, if the next round of bids go out in May without the EPP, we are truly in deep shit.  And that statement we keep hearing "You're lucky to have a job" will be an understatement.

The work has been put out for bid a long time ago. May is when the bids are due/opened.