Yeah I get what you're saying we can all agree the buses don't drive themselves .
      Back then I never thought I would see this current contract which attacks even top pay drivers . So maybe he can take that attitude when negotiating the next contract . Which is more important than the last .

Well I understood it differently . Covid wasn't actually his fault nor is snow . I did hear as long as he tries to get the buses out or whatever happens isn't his fault he gets paid . I really don't have his contract . I really don't know ....

Runs didn't go out during Covid he didn't get paid ? He doesn't get paid when they don't go out in the snow

Who knows . That's something we will never know ....

Faceit is right I'm not opposed to putting in more and getting more pension . I'm sure that means the owner would have to put in more . And yes the shop people were the first want back in .
     Also another point some of the new drivers might not realize . The owner made his money while we were on strike . All he had to do was try and get any buses out and show he was doing his all to make it work. He's got a great deal.

Can't cripple the city we all don't bargain as one anymore . That strike cracked the union . There is no "collective bargaining by all the union". Each property negotiates separate and is on different contracts. Another great move eroding any unity/mass negotiation we had .
     I hope what we lost and past mistakes was a lesson and not further sting. Cause they are gonna fight us and this hard . They made too much and had their way too long to not dig their feet in. Watch any things they offer will further break and create more divisions . The first offers will be ugly .

Buzz Happy Thanksgiving

   No doubt NO ONE wants to go go on strike . Been there done that stoking the fire barrel  at 5 am in the bitter cold .
    Then as now I felt some things are worth fighting for . We lost a lot. Strike means any list wage you don't get back . It's the same as sitting out a contract as a ball player etc .
    That first strike we learned that the personal grudge Bloomberg had with our union delegates then may have been the catalyst to what's wasn't a fruitful conclusion imo .
     Now we hear a potential strike cause there's more people stuck under this all for the boss and less for the worker contracts that are extended well beyond top pay ascension in most if not all fields .
      It's simple he wants better drivers he has to make it a lot more attractive . No drivers were getting rich under the old contracts 6 years to top pay. He was paying his bills . None of my checks ever bounced . He can put in a new gas station . Someone said he gets inflation adjusted clause . Good for him . Smart . He bids all these runs based on top pay . That's why he bought out the top guys years ago . Paid them to leave . Remember ?
      God Bless him he walked into a great business and he further expanded but smartly kept it going . That can't be easy , but now it's time to take care of the people that make him all that money.
    Last time there were some that "talked the talk l and after a few weeks they didn't want to "walk the walk". A lot of drivers I talk with A lot of drivers and they get IT.
      Best we can do is stay United , doesn't matter what the delegates do they need us behind them. For the people that say what union ? They think the union doesn't do enough they need a United front to stand up .

Buzz I was making fun of all the added and invented "holidays " there aren't many full weeks left .

Buzz I follow a Group it's ALL over .

    Kid24 is 100% correct. All over it's the same thing how they chopped and lean on drivers more and more . I'm hopeful something honest and earned gets done . With all these responsibilities this isn't a retiree job. In fact most bolt cause of the hurdles to get in and once in the many responsibilities  and tasks that are subject to fine .

Kid you did get paid for Christmas week already correct ? ( unrelated just asking since you got on in 2019 do you remember when you got that week?) also you should have gotten Easter already too correct ? Thanks

Kid24 it's what's right. The boss can read this. He had a great run. Touché you got a great deal to have an absurd 12 years to top pay and benefits contract  . Well the dirty little secret is he bills and contracts out for top pay drivers and Bennies . Honestly it's capitalism . Good for him. You made your money. Now it's time to pay for what's owed and just. 6 years is more than fair with Guaranteed weeks . It isn't our fault the 40 weeks of school only has 5 full weeks

Amazing

     " Regardless of date of hire!" same contract for all!

      Great conversation here . From the drivers Lips to Gods ear!!!! We are all in this together . I spoke to some senior drivers above me who are very cynical. The change is within us . Everything worth fighting for is never easy.

    👏 👏 🙏🙏💪💪💪
[/quote]

Great post Buzz. We have a lot of qualifications and tasks to maintain and keep our license and good standing with our certification. It's time we get recognized and compensated for such. We all can't have inflation adjustments like some , but we are  enduring cost of living inflation so this is very important. Hope everyone fills theirs out I already did mine .

I guess next class is back of the yard in the woods ...hopefully we do it late April /Early may if not we just revert to the what we did during the strike light up a barrel with wood . We can sing "Take me back ". Like in the Rocky Movie