https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2015/a8019/amendment/c

This has been written in a format to be reposted where it can be of use to our cause, the senate is back in session and our bill remains stuck in the Rules Committee , so feel free to copy and paste and place on any website that you think would generate phone calls to the people in Albany that hold our EPP bill in their hands, it's a new year with new hope and the passage of this bill before the end of our contract negotiations would put us in a better bargaining position with the contractors and might set the stage to bring our union back under one contract, good luck !!!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
God bless all who get up and into their buses before dawn for our children's safety,,,,,,,,, we here in NYC are fighting against vicious union busting , the bus company owners association in NYS have been throwing millions of dollars at our politicians to transform the salary structure and job seniority structure in what we look at as a skilled profession and turning it into a part time transient job, thus putting profit before safety , we ask nothing from our brothers and sisters on this site that share our respect for the important responsibility of transporting our most precious cargo , our children , other than if you find the time to join us in flooding the NYS senate with phone calls in the support of this important bill that must be passed to insure that senior drivers and matrons and mechanics remain on the job , our children and your children deserve nothin less than the best, god bless you all , be well and be safe , and thank you from the 15000 members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181.
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S05984 Summary:
BILL NO S05984
SAME AS SAME AS A08019
SPONSOR GOLDEN
COSPNSR
MLTSPNSR
Amd S305, Ed L
Relates to contracts for the transportation of school children.
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S05984 Actions:
BILL NO S05984
06/16/2015 REFERRED TO RULES
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S05984 Votes:
There are no votes for this bill in this legislative session.
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S05984 Memo:
Memo not available
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S05984 Text:
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5984
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 16, 2015
___________
Introduced by Sen. GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to contracts for the
transportation of school children
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Statement of legislative findings and necessity. The legis-
2 lature hereby finds that for three decades beginning in 1979, following
3 a strike by school bus workers, the school bus contracts of the board of
4 education of the city of New York included employee protection
5 provisions requiring transportation contractors, among other things, to
6 give priority in hiring to employees who became unemployed because of
7 their employers' loss of bus contract work for such board and to pay
8 such employees the same wages and benefits they had received prior to
9 becoming unemployed.
10 Following the 2011 decision by the New York State Court of Appeals in
11 L&M Bus Corp., et al., v. the New York City Department of Education, et
12 al., the board of education of the city of New York did not include the
13 employee protection provisions that had been part of the board's school
14 bus contracts for over 30 years or any similar provisions in its solic-
15 itations for its school bus contracts. After the issuance of the first
16 such Post-L&M solicitation; there was a school bus strike in January and
17 February of 2013. During this strike, many children were either unable
18 to attend school or were burdened, along with their families, with find-
19 ing alternative modes of transportation in the heart of winter.
20 The legislature further finds that the board of education of the city
21 of New York contracts with 62 companies to provide vital school bus
22 transportation to 149,000 school-age children. Pursuant to the education
23 law, the state reimburses the board of education of the city of New York
24 for a substantial percentage of its school bus contract expenditures.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10792-01-5
S. 5984 2
1 Accordingly, the legislature finds that the education law should be
2 amended to require the board of education of the city of New York to
3 include important employee protections in its procurements for school
4 bus transportation contracts and to authorize the board of education to
5 amend existing contracts to include these protections. Including these
6 protections in such board's contracts will aid in avoiding service
7 disruptions and pension withdrawal liability claims, while protecting
8 the experienced school bus contract workforce from significant wage and
9 benefit reductions and facilitating the retention of an experienced
10 workforce. Inclusion of such protections will secure more cost-effec-
11 tive, higher quality and efficient procurement and performance of school
12 bus transportation services.
13 § 2. Paragraph a of subdivision 14 of section 305 of the education
14 law, as amended by chapter 273 of the laws of 1999, is amended to read
15 as follows:
16 a. (1) All contracts for the transportation of school children, all
17 contracts to maintain school buses owned or leased by a school district
18 that are used for the transportation of school children, all contracts
19 for mobile instructional units, and all contracts to provide, maintain
20 and operate cafeteria or restaurant service by a private food service
21 management company shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner,
22 who may disapprove a proposed contract if, in his opinion, the best
23 interests of the district will be promoted thereby. Except as provided
24 in paragraph e of this subdivision, all such contracts involving an
25 annual expenditure in excess of the amount specified for purchase
26 contracts in the bidding requirements of the general municipal law shall
27 be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, which responsibility shall
28 be determined by the board of education or the trustee of a district,
29 with power hereby vested in the commissioner to reject any or all bids
30 if, in his opinion, the best interests of the district will be promoted
31 thereby and, upon such rejection of all bids, the commissioner shall
32 order the board of education or trustee of the district to seek, obtain
33 and consider new proposals. All proposals for such transportation, main-
34 tenance, mobile instructional units, or cafeteria and restaurant service
35 shall be in such form as the commissioner may prescribe. Advertisement
36 for bids shall be published in a newspaper or newspapers designated by
37 the board of education or trustee of the district having general circu-
38 lation within the district for such purpose. Such advertisement shall
39 contain a statement of the time when and place where all bids received
40 pursuant to such advertisement will be publicly opened and read either
41 by the school authorities or by a person or persons designated by them.
42 All bids received shall be publicly opened and read at the time and
43 place so specified. At least five days shall elapse between the first
44 publication of such advertisement and the date so specified for the
45 opening and reading of bids. The requirement for competitive bidding
46 shall not apply to an award of a contract for the transportation of
47 pupils or a contract for mobile instructional units, if such award is
48 based on an evaluation of proposals in response to a request for
49 proposals pursuant to paragraph e of this subdivision. The requirement
50 for competitive bidding shall not apply to annual, biennial, or trienni-
51 al extensions of a contract nor shall the requirement for competitive
52 bidding apply to quadrennial or quinquennial year extensions of a
53 contract involving transportation of pupils, maintenance of school buses
54 or mobile instructional units secured either through competitive bidding
55 or through evaluation of proposals in response to a request for
56 proposals pursuant to paragraph e of this subdivision, when such exten-
S. 5984 3
1 sions [(1)] (i) are made by the board of education or the trustee of a
2 district, under rules and regulations prescribed by the commissioner,
3 and, [(2)] (ii) do not extend the original contract period beyond five
4 years from the date cafeteria and restaurant service commenced there-
5 under and in the case of contracts for the transportation of pupils, for
6 the maintenance of school buses or for mobile instructional units, that
7 such contracts may be extended, except that power is hereby vested in
8 the commissioner, in addition to his existing statutory authority to
9 approve or disapprove transportation or maintenance contracts, [(i)] (A)
10 to reject any extension of a contract beyond the initial term thereof if
11 he finds that amount to be paid by the district to the contractor in any
12 year of such proposed extension fails to reflect any decrease in the
13 regional consumer price index for the N.Y., N.Y.-Northeastern, N.J.
14 area, based upon the index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) during the
15 preceding twelve month period; and [(ii)] (B) to reject any extension of
16 a contract after ten years from the date transportation or maintenance
17 service commenced thereunder, or mobile instructional units were first
18 provided, if in his opinion, the best interests of the district will be
19 promoted thereby. Upon such rejection of any proposed extension, the
20 commissioner may order the board of education or trustee of the district
21 to seek, obtain and consider bids pursuant to the provisions of this
22 section. The board of education or the trustee of a school district
23 electing to extend a contract as provided herein, may, in its
24 discretion, increase the amount to be paid in each year of the contract
25 extension by an amount not to exceed the regional consumer price index
26 increase for the N.Y., N.Y.-Northeastern, N.J. area, based upon the
27 index for all urban consumers (CPI-U), during the preceding twelve month
28 period, provided it has been satisfactorily established by the contrac-
29 tor that there has been at least an equivalent increase in the amount of
30 his cost of operation, during the period of the contract.
31 (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subdivision, the board
32 of education of a school district located in a city with at least one
33 million inhabitants shall include in contracts for the transportation of
34 school children in kindergarten through grade twelve, whether awarded
35 through competitive bidding or through evaluation of proposals in
36 response to a request for proposals pursuant to paragraph e of this
37 subdivision, provisions for the retention or preference in hiring of
38 school bus workers and for the preservation of wages, health, welfare
39 and retirement benefits and seniority for school bus workers who are
40 hired pursuant to such provisions for retention or preference in hiring,
41 in connection with such contracts. For purposes of this subparagraph,
42 "school bus worker" shall mean an operator, mechanic, dispatcher or
43 attendant who: (i) was employed as of June thirtieth, two thousand ten
44 or at any time thereafter by (A) a contractor that was a party to a
45 contract with the board of education of a school district located in a
46 city with at least one million inhabitants for the transportation of
47 school children in kindergarten through grade twelve, in connection with
48 such contract, or (B) a subcontractor of a contractor that was a party
49 to a contract with the board of education of a school district located
50 in a city with at least one million inhabitants for the transportation
51 of school children in kindergarten through grade twelve, in connection
52 with such contract, and (ii) has been furloughed or become unemployed as
53 a result of a loss of such contract, or a part of such contract, by such
54 contractor or such subcontractor, or as a result of a reduction in
55 service directed by such board of education during the term of such
56 contract.
S. 5984 4
1 § 3. Subdivision 14 of section 305 of the education law is amended by
2 adding a new paragraph g to read as follows:
3 g. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs a through f of this
4 subdivision and any regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, the board
5 of education of a school district located in a city with at least one
6 million inhabitants and a contractor providing transportation services
7 to such district for school children in kindergarten through grade
8 twelve may amend a contract for such transportation services, for such
9 consideration as approved by such board of education, to include in such
10 contract provisions for the retention or preference in hiring of school
11 bus workers and for the preservation of wages, health, welfare and
12 retirement benefits and seniority for school bus workers who are hired
13 pursuant to such provisions for retention or preference in hiring, in
14 connection with such contracts. For purposes of this paragraph, "school
15 bus worker" shall mean an operator, mechanic, dispatcher or attendant
16 who: (1) was employed as of June thirtieth, two thousand ten or at any
17 time thereafter by (i) a contractor that was a party to a contract with
18 the board of education of a school district located in a city with at
19 least one million inhabitants for the transportation of school children
20 in kindergarten through grade twelve, in connection with such contract,
21 or (ii) a subcontractor of a contractor that was a party to a contract
22 with the board of education of a school district located in a city with
23 at least one million inhabitants for the transportation of school chil-
24 dren in kindergarten through grade twelve, in connection with such
25 contract, and (2) has been furloughed or become unemployed as a result
26 of a loss of such contract, or a part of such contract, by such contrac-
27 tor or such subcontractor, or as the result of a reduction in service
28 directed by such board of education during the term of such contract.
29 § 4. Separability. If any item, clause, subparagraph, paragraph,
30 subdivision or section of this act shall be adjudged by any court of
31 competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
32 impair or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its
33 operation to this item, clause, subparagraph, paragraph, subdivision or
34 section thereof that was adjudged to be invalid.
35 § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
Senator Martin Golden
7408 5th Avenue-1st Floor
Brooklyn , NY 11209
Phone: (718) 238-6044
Fax: (718) 238-6170
map
ALBANY OFFICE
188 State Street Room 409, Legislative Office Building
Albany , NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-2730
Fax: (518) 426-6910
map,,,,,,,,,Contact Senator John J. Flanagan's Office
DISTRICT OFFICE
260 Middle Country RoadSuite 102
Smithtown , NY 11787
Phone: 631-361-2154
Fax: 631-361-5367
map
ALBANY OFFICE
Room 330, State Capitol Building
Albany , NY 12247
Phone: 518-455-2071
Fax: 518-426-6904
map
EMAIL ADDRESS:
flanagan@nysenate.gov,,,,,,TEMPORARY ACTING SENATE LEADER

I know how respectfully  my postings are received on this site, I get a lot of heat from you guys on the rock , but this has been posted elsewhere , some of you will hate it because it is critical of your guy, it's just another members opinion , my opinion, and I am regretting this already , but here it is like it or not,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,My brothers and sisters , there has been a lot of talk recently about all of our bus companies having an in house vote to strike against the city , the contractors and our students , nothing can be more important and more serious than a decision that would put ones career in jeopardy. There are times in a career that when a person is backed into a corner and they have to do whatever is necessary to protect all that one has earned ,worked and suffered for , and I myself would not hesitate to step up and defend myself , my family , my job and my union any way I have to , BUT there has to be a DAM good reason to risk ones job , there has to be a DAM good reason to walk that picket line one more time, and there has to a DAM good plan once we are on that picket line, to get us off of that picket line with a VICTORY THIS TIME AROUND, NOT LIKE BEFORE WHEN CORDIELLO TOSSED US ALL UNDER THE BUS , there better be a rock solid plan to get us in and get us out as quickly as it takes to come out of this serious job action as a WINNER THIS TIME AROUND . The sad truth is that there was NO PLAN before and only a sucker would think they would care enough about us to do a better job this time around . Right now we need to look at the many recent serious strategic anti-member decisions this union has made for the membership under the tenure of MICHAEL CORDIELLO , countless PRO CONTRACTOR decisions that would put us all in jeopardy of losing our jobs if we act impulsively , if we don't than we are doomed to allow them to RISK ALL that we are left with today if we were to have a STRIKE that did not include ALL OF THE 1181 COMPANIES, remember Cordiello has separated all of our contracts taking away our strength as a union, this DECISION OF DIVISION was deliberate , it was a calculated move orchestrated by the contractors and put into effect by their BOY Cordiello to weaken us as a unified body, it made us not a unified transportation union , but a bunch of drivers and matrons working for a bunch of bus companies, an easier target of termination and replacement ,sadly there are among us a few company's that have been led to believe that because they have given this administration blind loyalty and an orchestrated voting forum at union meetings that they will be exempt from the advanced termination tactics CORDIELLO and his contractor partners have levied across the board against thousands of good hard working people , they would be wrong, this anti-member administration has only three friends that it cares about today , that is their silent partners the bus company owners who they have given everything except the kitchen sink , power and money that continues to be collected in the form of our dues, dues from the small percentage that is left of our unions senior members and dues from the two or three thousand or so low paid newbies and if we are not careful and close our eyes and act impulsively we will lose everything. EVERYONE DESERVES TO KEEP THEIR JOB WHOEVER THEY SUPPORT AND WHEREVER THEY WORK, EVERYONE , WE ARE ALL BROTHERS THAT HAVE SUFFERED ENOUGH WITH THESE GREEDY BASTARDS , I am going to give you a scenario of a strike when we are NOT striking as a unified body of workers , let's say The union puts Pioneer on the strike line , either by themselves or even two or three companies, three companies are walking a strike line , day 1 , day 2, now comes day 3 and the Board of Ed. " PULLS THE WORK " for those striking companies and distributes them to ALL THE OTHER COMPANIES THAT ARE NOT STRIKING , three companies go temporally out of business until the next bid, all of the newly fired striking workers go on the unions master hiring list ,because as you know , you all were told if you walked the picket line. you would be FIRED , and we all know that union HIRING LIST , it's like falling through a black hole to becoming a shape or even a casual, or worse ,being pushed into a non -1181 company, ( A NEW , VERY EFFECTIVE CORDIELLO / CONTRACTOR TACTIC OF CLEARING HOUSE FOR THE 1181 CO. AND SHIPPING US TO OTHER UNIONS ) , the three companies now REPLACE ALL THE FIRED WORKERS UNDER A NEW COMPANY NAME, ( JUST LIKE THEY DID WITH GOTHAM AND IC BUS IN STATEN ISLAND AND TRAFERO IN RED HOOK AND A FEW OTHERS ) AND REOPEN , and the lousy end result of all that backstabbing is that good hard working people will find themselves being unemployed and their jobs going to all new low pay hires, !!!!!!! THE STRIKE IS LOST AGAIN !!!!!! THE DAM STRIKE IS LOST BEFORE IT IS EVEN GETS STARTED , LOOKS KIND OF FAMILIAR DOSENT IT, SEEN IT BEFORE HAVENT YOU , BROTHERS AND SISTERS THIS WILL HAPPEN , CORDIELLO LET THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE, AND IF WE DONT STRIKE AS ONE SOLID UNION HE WILL LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN , !!!!!! IF WE STRIKE WE MUST STRIKE AS ONE WITH A PUBLISHED IN WRITING PLAN , OR NOT AT ALL !!!!! I WILL SAY IT AGAIN " STRIKE AS ONE WITH A PLAN THAT WE CAN SEE OR NOT STRIKE AT ALL " NO MORE SEPARATE CONTRACTS, !!!!! NO MORE CORDIELLO GIVING THE CONTRACTORS EVERYTHING THEY WANT, ITS OUR TIME NOW, ITS OUR TIME TO GET BACK WHAT WE LOST , ITS OUR TIME TO REGAIN SOME EARNED RESPECT TO REGAIN OUR DIGNITY, ITS TIME TO SEND THIS CORDIELLO A MESAGE, SEND THE CONTRACTORS A MESAGE, TELL THEM THAT THE CORDIELLO GIVEBACKS WERE ONLY GOING TO BE TEMPORARY AND NOW THAT THEY MADE THEIR PILE OF CASH OFF OUR BACKS , OUR BLOOD MONEY, THAT THEIR TIME IS UP ,THEIR DAM TIME IS UP!!!!!!!!! GO TELL YOUR DO NOTHING DELEGATE THAT TOMMY SALERNO SAYS " ONE UNION ONE CONTRACT " !!!! THATS WHAT BUILT THS UNION !!!!! THATS RIGHT , TELL THEM TOMMY SAID IT BECAUSE YOU CAN BET YOUR ASS YOU WONT HEAR IT FROM CORDIELLO " THE CONTRACTORS BEST FRIEND " THIS IMPORTANT MESAGE WAS SENT TO YOU FROM TOMMY SALERNO AND THE 2015 SALERNO MFC SLATE, FRATERNALLY YOURS JOHN ISRAEL

Well it's a new day my brothers and sisters, bright, sunny, feeling blessed, blessed that I have the energy to be able to focus on what's good for my family, my family that I live with and my family that I work with, there is an urgency that touches all of us today, an urgency that has been brought upon us , not by our deeds, but the misdeeds of others , its an urgency of a political nature that will effect all our family's and our extended family's because the politics that have been forced upon us will affect the future well being of all our membership ,black, white, Latino , Asian, Russian , Italian , Irish , Jewish , and everyone else that makes up the ethnic rainbow that is our union, I say the politics that was forced upon us because NO ONE WANTED our current executive board to be so ineffective in their job of being THE GUARDIANS OF OUR CIVIL RIGHTS ON THE ON THE JOB SITE, NO ONE WANTED the president of our union to be someone that the bus company owners would look upon as THE BEST FRIEND A CONTRACTOR EVER HAD , NO ONE WANTED to loose the strength of being one solid unified transportation union to be broken up like so many pieces of glass , NO ONE WANED to see so many of our brothers and sisters suffer on the unemployment line with no hope for the future , NO ONE WANTED to loose 35 years of wages and benefits earned by hard dedicated work , sacrifice and sweat , NO ONE WANTED to see an election of union officers made into a mockery of greed ,fraud, deceit and corruption, NO ONE WANTED ANY OF THIS, but it happened , it came down upon us like a dark cloud choking the very life and spirit out of so many decent hard working people, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS WE ARE AT THE CROSSROADS , the United States Federal Government by bringing our union into a Federal Courtroom has now justified , and brought to truth everything we all knew for years, THAT WE WERE ROBBED, robbed of the right of having a free and fair election of the people that we would trust with our civil rights, our livelihoods, our health and well being, our future pensions, this basic right of a working man was taken from us by greedy power hungry crooks. BUT BUT BUT they got caught, two counts of election fraud, manipulation of the voter mailing list and manipulation of the voter eligibility list and now they must pay the price, and they must go ,go and clear the way for a new day for our union, a new day of strength, a new day of hope, a new day of trust , honesty, a new day of respect that we all deserve.My brothers and sisters just because the fight is right does not mean we will prevail, we have been given a opportunity to correct this mistake that is our union representation, we must be strong, we must be willing to get out there at our places of employment and make sure that all our coworkers know what is at stake and why this re-election is happening and why we will not get a third chance of turning this catastrophe around, they must know that they have to spread the word to their coworkers and those people need to find other people and so on, knowledge is power and we all must inform and enlighten our coworkers and together we will build a new union with trustworthy leadership , with Thomas Salerno as the captain of our ship, he has the knowledge, leadership and experience to guide us out of this mess with a new philosophy of how we should proceed forward, OUR UNION THE WAY IT USED TO BE , " WORKERS FIRST CONTRACTORS LAST " and with that, to start to make the repairs that need to be made, a industry wide seniority master pick , health care that wont break the bank with co-pays, bring back to us what the entire country has, because its the law, " OVERTIME " , and most of all what you wont get from anyone else, OUR INDUSTRY BACK UNDER ONE CONTRACT, this is what our next president owes us all, my friends the Cordello plan to enrich the contractors at all costs,OFF OUR BACKS , so that their wealth would result in a stronger industry HAS FAILED, this failed republican theory of economics, trickle down economics , of building up the rich off the backs of the poor has not benefited anyone but the rich, IT IS A FAILURE, CORDIELLO IS A FAILURE, OUE EXECTUTIVE BOARD IS A FAILURE, OUR TIME IS NOW , GET OUT THERE AND WIN THIS FOR YOURSELVES, FOR YOUR FAMILYS, FOR YOU CHILDREN, there will be good intentioned people out there that will say, they work hard for us, they got in over their heads, there trying to fix the problem they created , they made a mistake, don't talk negatively about our leadership it will make them look bad, blah - blah -blah, ,,, to this I say, I will say anything I want when it comes to my job, my healthcare, my pension, my future, and if you are of a different opinion and you want my attention, you better be coming with some TRUTH and not be some misguided cheerleader loyalty,,,, god bless you and all that get up before dawn to transport all those needy handicapped children, they deserve only the best behind the wheel of those buses,,, !!!!! ONE UNION ONE CONTRACT ONE BROTHER ONE SISTER !!!! FRATERNALLY YOURS , JOHN ISRAEL PROUD MEMBER OF THE SALERNO M.F.C. SLATE !!!!!

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2015/04/8566242/city-rejects-school-bus-bids-awaiting-employee-protections

It has come to my attention in speaking with a former coworker (we are now employed at different garages due to employment off the master list), that he had to go to a DOE hearing this past Thursday. Well, he was shocked to run into a former coworker of his from back in the day at Atlantic Express that had just left an appeals hearing. He was told by this worker, who shall go unnamed, that the GM of Pioneer Transportation drove a coworker of his to the appeals hearing
to testify on behalf of the company AGAINST him in an effort for him to be terminated! This is an OUTRAGE!!! I have NEVER heard of 2 union members testifying against each other. Where was the shop steward to prevent this outrage or the Delegate of their property? How about Jimmy Hedge, the VP of 1181 who was present at the hearing?

And ladies and gentlemen of 1181, is THIS the representation that our hard earned money is paying for?? God help us!

BID TITLE: Transportation Services for Students with Disabilities and Their Non-Disabled Peers

BID NUMBER: B2394

BID DUE DATE & TIME:  POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

BID OPENING DATE & TIME: POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Pre-Bid Conference:  December 17, 2013 @ 1:30PM School Construction Authority 30-30 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101, 5th floor conference rooms

Space for attendance at the conference is limited to 3 people per company. Please email the names, titles, company name and address of attendees to: WinterBusBidB2394@schools.nyc.gov


This Request for Bids (RFB) is to provide School Bus Transportation for school age students with disabilities and other riders citywide. The Office of Pupil Transportation is seeking bids for approximately 4,000 vehicles to provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation services to students. It is anticipated that service will begin for the 2015-2016 school year on or about September 1, 2015. This RFB will result in multiple 5-year requirements contracts.

This RFB is for the transportation between the homes and/or stops and schools of city residents with disabilities and other riders between five and twenty-one years of age attending Educational Programs located within the greater metropolitan area (i.e., the five boroughs of New York City; Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk Counties in New York; sites in New Jersey; and, sites in Connecticut so long as they are within a 50 mile radius of the City's boundaries). In addition, this RFB is intended to cover the Board of Education's requirements for transportation between residential treatment facilities and schools, between schools (within and outside of the City) and field trip destinations (within the City only), from after school programs to home or alternative afternoon drop-off locations, and for such other uses as provided herein. With the 2015-2016 School Year, the DOE intends to construct routes to be performed under this (and other) contract(s) based on a wide variety of students being transported on each vehicle. Accordingly, it is anticipated that any vehicle under this contract might transport any combination of students (students with disabilities whose Educational Programs may or may not designate specific transportation requirements as well as non-disabled students).

This is the May school bus contract "Request for Bids" from nycenet.edu mentioned in status below:
BID TITLE: Transportation Services for Students with Disabilities and Their Non-Disabled Peers
BID NUMBER: B2394
BID DUE DATE & TIME: *NEW! *NEW! May 1, 2015 by 4:00 pm 65 Court St., Room 1201, Brooklyn, NY 11201
BID OPENING DATE & TIME: *NEW! *NEW! (Tentative) May 4 and 5, 2015 School Construction Authority- Atrium 30-30 Thomson Avenue Long Island City New York, 11101
Pre-Bid Conference: December 17, 2013 @ 1:30PM School Construction Authority 30-30 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101, 5th floor conference rooms
Space for attendance at the conference is limited to 3 people per company. Please email the names, titles, company name and address of attendees to: WinterBusBidB2394@schools.nyc.gov
This Request for Bids (RFB) is to provide School Bus Transportation for school age students with disabilities and other riders citywide. The Office of Pupil Transportation is seeking bids for approximately 4,000 vehicles to provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation services to students. It is anticipated that service will begin for the 2015-2016 school year on or about September 1, 2015. This RFB will result in multiple 5-year requirements contracts.
This RFB is for the transportation between the homes and/or stops and schools of city residents with disabilities and other riders between five and twenty-one years of age attending Educational Programs located within the greater metropolitan area (i.e., the five boroughs of New York City; Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk Counties in New York; sites in New Jersey; and, sites in Connecticut so long as they are within a 50 mile radius of the City's boundaries). In addition, this RFB is intended to cover the Board of Education's requirements for transportation between residential treatment facilities and schools, between schools (within and outside of the City) and field trip destinations (within the City only), from after school programs to home or alternative afternoon drop-off locations, and for such other uses as provided herein. With the 2015-2016 School Year, the DOE intends to construct routes to be performed under this (and other) contract(s) based on a wide variety of students being transported on each vehicle. Accordingly, it is anticipated that any vehicle under this contract might transport any combination of students (students with disabilities whose Educational Programs may or may not designate specific transportation requirements as well as non-disabled students).
Login to the Vendor Portal to download BID B2394.
If you cannot download this BID, please send an e-mail to VendorHotline@schools.nyc.gov with the BID Number and title in the subject line of your e-mail. For all questions related to this BID, please send an e-mail to WinterBusBidB2394@schools.nyc.gov with the BID Number and title in the subject line of your e-mail.

TO THE THOUSANDS OF SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS, ESCORTS, AND MECHANICS WHO ARE FIGHTING TO GET THEIR JOBS BACK BY SENIORITY   --  AND TO INSURE THOSE WHO ARE WORKING NOW ARE NOT LAID OFF IN JUNE 2015!

         Three weeks ago  --  150 Drivers, Escorts and Mechanics – including those working and those NOT working, got together to try to solve their problems together in UNITY – AND OBSERVED:
3,500 of us - Union members are laid off and not working

The 1,000's of us, who are still working – but unsure of our job security after June 2015

Union leadership - so corrupt and unwilling to defend their members on the job.
A group of Bosses who completely control our daily lives in an arbitrary way – with no interference from the Union leadership.



WE DECIDED WE HAVE TO FACE UP TO THE PROBLEMS
WITH DETERMINATION
WITH STRUGGLE
WITH UNITY
AND WE LAID OUT THE FOLLOWING PLAN


1 – We took note that Mayor deBlasio and the City Council came through with the $42.0 Million Dollars to pay the correct salaries –
That was good.
2 – BUT:  For the more than 3,500 workers who were laid off OUT OF SENIORITY – IT WAS OF NO HELP
3 – BUT:  For the thousands still working – Extreme worry about future illegal layoffs – come June 2015

WE DECIDED ON THE FOLLOWING PLAN
A – Create a grass roots movement of 1,000's
B – GET 2,700 School Bus Workers to sign our Petition (need 700 more)
C – Hold weekly meetings – Done
D – The Petition said ( it is also attached ) The $42.0 Million Dollars is good BUT it must go to the workers BY SENIORITY!
E – WE WANT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE A  -  SENIORITY MASTER PICK - OF ALL WORKERS (those working and those NOT working) 
BY SENIORITY!!     RUN BY THE CITY
F – We are going to City Hall next week – to see the Politicians ASAP with 500 members and present our 2,700 Petitions and demand THE SENIORITY MASTER PICK       NOW
Seniority rules For Everyone

WE ARE DETERMINED – WE ARE STRONG – WE ARE TOGETHER

COME TO THE MEETINGS THIS COMING SUNDAY
WITH YOUR ADDITIONAL 700 SIGNATURES
THIS SUNDAY – October 5, 2014 – In Manhattan  2 PM – 4 PM – at 164 St and Edgecomb at the PARK directly across the street from the school
In Brooklyn – the same day – October 5, 2014 – 4 PM – 6 PM at Life of Hope – 1886 Nostrand Ave
BRING EVERYONE – BRING MORE PETITIONS – THIS IS IT
AND PLAN OUR DEMONSTRATION FOR NEXT WEEK
ISSUED BY:  All Rank and File Drivers and Escorts; Endorsed by Salerno/Members For Change; And every Driver, Escort and Mechanic who face the loss of their jobs, now and in the future. Mario Jean 347-517-6815; Julio Martinez 347-307-0737; Pierre Jerome 917-941-5085; Jose Valdez 646-331-5807; Berlot Jean Baptiste 718-810-8608; Robert de Jesus 646-670-0744








P – E – T – I – T – I - O – N
TO:   HONORABLE MAYOR BILL DEBLASIO
         HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

        WE – The School Bus Drivers and Escorts want to be heard. Almost all of us have many years of experience on the job.
RIGHT NOW – Over 3,000 of us are laid off – ILLEGALLY -  by the Bus Owners. Everyone knows we are ALL at risk.
            WE NEED A MASTER SENIORITY PICK – EPP -- AS IN THE PAST -- RIGHT AWAY –
SO THAT ALL WORKING AND NON WORKING – CAN HAVE SENIORITY RIGHTS TO THE JOB!
We feel sure the $42 Million Dollar Bill was passed TO BE ADMINISTERED FAIRLY!                                 WE NEED OUR JOBS!
NAME (print) PHONE E-MAIL WORKING  Yes/No

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

Issued by:  All Rank and File Drivers and Escorts; Endorsed by Salerno/Members For Change; And every Driver, Escort and Mechanic   
                                    who face the loss of their jobs, now and in the future.

To my  Pioneer 1181 brothers and sisters,
   
                        I would like to take this time to thank all of you for the warm reception I received  this morning at your Staten Island yard while campaigning  , I would also like to personally thank your shop Stewart Ernie for his warm wishes, he is a gentleman and a good union brother.
                                                                              respectfully, Thomas Salerno

Retired Decorated firefighter Thomas Salerno was the guest speaker today, May 17th.2014, at a ceremony at ground zero, he and his crew from rescue 4 , heavy rescue and recovery from Lakeland long Island were honored for there heroic efforts in the hours , days, and weeks after the world trade center towers were hit on 9/11, on 9/11 there was a signal 1 call after the first tower went down, firefighter Thomas Salerno and his crew from rescue 4  Heavy Rescue and Recovery were  instructed to proceed to rescue 3 in the Bronx NY pick up an additional heavy rescue crew and preceded to ground zero, Thomas Salerno then spent the next 72 hours on the pile in 12 hour shifts sleeping at the site, and the next 3 weeks working the site going back and forth from rescue 3 in the Bronx where they lived before they reunited with there family's, Mr Salerno has received over a dozen metals and citations  for bravery during his time on the job in Lakeland.

Proudly Posted by John Israel  & the 2014 Salerno Slate

Shop Steward A.T.U. Local 1181


As a shop steward posting my name would only get me terminated from my position. Many of us were paid to push this contract. Michael and his executive board told the company's to put the contract in front of the people two days prior to the signing giving the members no time to discuss what they were losing. Michael recommended to the company's, keep the salaries the same if the members see no deduction In there paycheck we will get these contracts signed. Knowing the membership was scared of losing their jobs, he was successful.
Michael and his executive board's goals are to get the senior membership out he wants them to retire . Right now the entire Executive Board along with our attorney's are putting a new amendment into our by laws, it will read no one will be allowed to withdraw their money from the union, this in return will get every senior member to retire immediately saving the company's millions of dollars . The companies are already hiring people at 10 to 14 dollars an hour. Hundreds of members have retired already these members will no longer receive retirement benefits come this September and have already been removed from the prescription plans. Members are already retiring thinking they have benefits they will all be surprised in September. Michael and his executive board know once they get rid of the senior members they will never be a opposed again they will have jobs for the rest of their lives. Michael and his executive board will eventually make our job become a part time job but their salaries will not change. As a shop steward I was left on the picket line without one visit from my delegate or my president. I too am retiring after 23 years as a shop steward in September because I am fed up with what this job has become under the reign of Michael and his executive board. Then to see the trash he puts on his slate overlooking qualified shop stewards for years it disgusts me. I would like to revisit just one more issue. I was paid by Michael and his executive board organizing money to make up the difference in my salary for the strike a number of shop stewards were paid up to $51,000. This payoff did not involve all shop stewards, mostly in larger yards where Michael and his executive board could get the most support. If you think this is lies ask your shop stewards to show you their W2

                     TOM SALERNO, CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT LOCAL 1181


Dear Brothers and Sisters,


I would like to share with all of you some information about my background and credentials which qualify me as the best candidate for the position of President in the upcoming election.





1.  I have been in the industry since 1977, which gives me almost  37 years of job experience.  In 1984 at Milford Bus Co., I was instrumental in removing Local 355 and bringing in Local 1181.  Those of you who  were also unfortunate members of 355 know what an important impact this had on our industry.  Thanks to the Mollen Agreement, I kept my job when my route moved from Milford to Amboy, which is more than our brothers and sisters of other unions, including the Teamsters, can say.   While Assistant Shop Steward, I helped organizers increase our  Unions membership by signing on several companies from Long Island.  In 1994, I was voted Shop Steward at  Amboys  Ridgewood garage.  I went on to handle a second garage at their  Ralph Avenue location.  As  Ralph  Avenue  acquired  more and more runs (over 300), I dedicated all of my time to the Union needs of my brothers  and sisters at  Ralph Avenue.





2.  In 2000 I began accompanying (now retired) Delegate Tom DeVito to hearings at the NYC Board of Education for bus drivers and escorts who found themselves the unlucky targets of disciplinary hearings.  Through the experience of observing, and ultimately assisting Mr. DeVito, I learned valuable lessons on labor negotiation  and legal technicalities.  As Mr. DeVito's health declined, I took on more of this responsibility until he retired in  January 2005, and I moved into his position as Delegate.  Although I juggled two full time jobs (Shop Steward  and Union Rep. At the Board), neither suffered.  As too many of you are aware having been the subjects of  these hearings, I am proud to say that my record of wins vs. losses is outstanding.





3.  In January 2005 I became Executive Board Member for Local 1181 where I continued my role as your representative at hearings.  Because of the relationships that I've nurtured at the Board, I was often able to get  charges completely dropped without members suffering any loss of pay.  This is a quality that can only be acquired through human relations skills and experience that is developed over time.





4.  As an Executive Board Member, I was involved with all union contracts as well as attended hearings and arbitrations for Varsity Bus Company, Atlantic Express, Gotham Bus, Rainbow, Citywide, JoFaz, Tufaro and  DNA Escorts.





As a Shop Steward, I dedicated 110% of my total being to the needs of my drivers and escorts.  As an Executive Board Member, I continued to serve you in whatever capacity needed.  As your  President, I will work hard to make our members proud of a vote well cast.  I am truly committed to this Union and the Members served by it.  I have a vested interest in the survival of this union as my pension, like yours, is a valuable asset I would not be able to survive without.

Today I was contacted by people who represent the group known as " Members for change ", I was asked to make a post on this site in regards to a decision they have made , today Members for change overwhelmingly voted to remove Raina Martinez from their movement, I applaud this decision that in my opinion was made for the overall benefit of our union's election process as it removes a polarizing figure from getting in the way of what should be an important focus on ideas and opposing opinions that our membership will be seeing and voting on during this very important election cycle. Out of respect of the members that have been posting their forceful opinions on this site of anyone that will be opposing the current president and his executive board, I have not made any recent critical posts, I do understand that there are some people being led by blind loyalty and a fear that this much needed change will be coming to our union's leadership , I am sure that the 4500 ( and growing ) out of work members that are no longer getting a salary and no longer CONTRIBUTING  to our pension plan fear that this change will not be coming.

Posted by John Israel & the 2014 Salerno Slate

Posted by John Israel & the 2014 Salerno Slate

 
Employee Rights Facts:
Vital Stats ,Crime & Corruption, Undemocratic Leaders, Unfair Labor Practices, Political Money, A.T.U. local 1181 Union Profile:


Your Rights & FAQ : Union Decertification , Media & Ads
Total Members:
14,903

Spending Breakdown:
Representational $3,656,486 (31.93%) 
Political Activities and Lobbying $20,904 (0.18%) 
Contributions, Gifts, and Grants $45,932 (0.40%) 
General Overhead $2,134,252 (18.64%) 
Union Administration $182,269 (1.59%) 
Strike Benefits $0 (0.00%) 
To Union Officers $1,161,103 (10.14%) 
To Union Employees $1,119,157 (9.77%) 
Education $0 (0.00%) 
Fees $0 (0.00%





     
Transit Union, Local Division 1181Leaders, Employees, and Salaries



Name Title Gross Salary Benefits & Other Compensation Total Compensation
MICHAEL CORDIELLO PRESIDENT- BUSINESS AGENT $223,947 $21,322 $245,269
  $240,081 $3,986 $244,067
JEAN CALIXTE SECRETARY- TREASURER $178,041 $18,904 $196,945
THOMAS JEMMOTT RECORDING SECRETARY $167,972 $2,177 $170,149
JAMES HEDGE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER $138,388 $2,082 $140,470
EDWARD GIGLIOTTI VICE PRESIDENT $137,837 $2,445 $140,282
WALTER OAKMAN EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER $135,997 $1,754 $137,751
RENEE JEAN-LOUIS EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER $133,415 $2,917 $136,332
THOMAS FRET, JR. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER $133,416 $1,882 $135,298
VINCENT CATALANO EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER $133,416 $1,798 $135,214
JOSEPH CASALINO EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER $133,112 $1,352 $134,464
VINCENT BUTTARO EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER $131,482 $1,573 $133,055
GEORGE MARTINOS EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER $131,025 $1,698 $132,723
ANGELO SORRENTINO EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER $131,025 $1,317 $132,342
MAUREEN LOESCH FORMER EXEC. ASSISTANT  $121,360 $923 $122,283
EDWARD ENGEL FIELD REPRESENTATIVE $118,611 $1,495 $120,106
LINDA AGATE SECRETARY $103,705 $1,082 $104,787
DONNA WALSH EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT $104,109 $275 $104,384
ANTHONY CORDIELLO FIELD REPRESENTATIVE $102,241 $1,638 $103,879
MARGARET SALZANO CLERK $88,965 $259 $89,224
JAMES YEZZO FIELD REPRESENTATIVE $83,064 $1,305 $84,369
GUY PROSPER FIELD REPRESENTATIVE $82,843 $1,359 $84,202
LAURA ANN SANTIAGO FIELD REPRESENTATIVE $79,099 $1,757 $80,856
INES SANCHEZ CLERK $70,364 $253 $70,617
JOHN DELOATCH ORGANIZER $67,321 $2,071 $69,392
TOMMASINA DESIMONE CLERK $55,818 $231 $56,049
ANTHONY LIVIA ORGANIZER $54,863 $582 $55,445
CARMEN ACEVEDO ORGANIZER $52,785 $1,352 $54,137
DOMINICK AGATE ORGANIZER $50,398 $797 $51,195
CHRISTINA RUGGIERO CLERK $48,586 $247 $48,833
DANIEL RIVERA SHOP STEWARD $11,846 $32,473 $44,319
PATRICK LORQUET ORGANIZER $42,252 $231 $42,483
JOHN SHAW CLERK $29,980 $397 $30,377
EDWARD CUSANO SHOP STEWARD $18,414 $94 $18,508
JAMES CARDIELLO ORGANIZER $15,681 $215 $15,896
SIMON JEAN-BAPTISTE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT $0 $782 $782
BRIJIDA PILGRIM EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER $0 $57 $57

Source: LM forms filed with the Office of Labor-Management Standards.

Just remember my brothers and sisters, they are not the union, "YOU ARE THE UNION", they dont exist if not for your hard work and union dues, the people listed above should wake up every morning and say to themselves " I am very fortunate to have a job that pays as well as it does, now, how can I do justice to my work day that in a way, will thank them for their sacrifice.", as of june app: 5000 of us will have been, DISPLACED, TERMINATED, or will be  receiving "TERMINATION LETTERS."
If you think this is what goes through they,re mind when they are having they,re morning coffee I have a bridge to sell you.


Posted by: John Israel & 2014 Salerno Slate


 

School bus workers fight for job security and wages: 1979 and today
By Fred Mazelis

The current strike of New York City school bus drivers and matrons is not the first time they have had to fight to defend their job security, wages and benefits. In 1979 these workers conducted a 13-week strike against the city and the bus companies.


Striking bus workers picketing at the Department of Education

An examination of the events of 1979 only underscores the transformed role of the unions and their unwillingness and inability today to wage a similar fight against the assault being carried out by the Bloomberg administration and the rest of the political establishment.

In mid-February of 1979, almost 33 years ago, the school bus drivers began a strike in opposition to the city's plans under then-mayor Ed Koch to use competitive bidding to destroy the guarantees the drivers had to keep their jobs, wages and conditions even if new contractors won the contract to provide bus service.

Amalgamated Transit Union locals 1181 and 1061, representing the striking drivers and matrons, reported that the workers refused the union's requests that they return to their jobs. The Koch administration, demanding that the workers pay for the city's fiscal crisis, obtained an injunction in State Supreme Court in Brooklyn.

The workers, however, defied the injunction, even after it was served on individual school bus drivers and matrons. When the union requested they return to work, the attitude of the workers as reported by the Local 1181 president was "You talk, we'll walk," a phrase that summed up their militant struggle. In the media, the walkout was referred to as a "wildcat" strike.

At the same time, some of the workers took action to stop buses and taxis from scabbing on the strike. Mayor Koch, the reactionary politician who died just a week ago and was eulogized by every Democratic politician for many miles around, called the strikers "goons" and "bastards."

At a news conference, Koch falsely accused the workers, exactly as Bloomberg is doing today, of abandoning the schoolchildren and using them as pawns. Of course it was the city that was holding the students hostage, not the drivers.

Koch swore he would never negotiate with the strikers unless they first went back to their jobs. By early March, however, the city's position appeared to weaken. The mayor suggested that Bruce McIver, the director of the city's Office of Municipal Relations, might mediate the dispute.


Strikers in 1979 [Photo: Staten Island Advance/Landov]

The strikers continued their fight for job security for another two months. Thousands walked across the Brooklyn Bridge in the middle of the week for maximum impact and maximum appeal to other sections of the working class. Mass picketing stopped scabs and strikers even blocked traffic by abandoning a streetful of cars in front of school buildings.

A settlement was reached in the second week of May. Milton Mollen, then the chief justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, served as mediator in working out the final agreement.

The workers got a measure of job security in the Employee Protection Provision (EPP), which codified some of the procedures under which veteran employees had been guaranteed their positions and wage levels in cases where a new bus company became their employer.

The 1979 strike took place just one year after the coal miners had defied Jimmy Carter and a Taft-Hartley injunction. A year later New York City's transit workers also defied antistrike legislation, the Taylor Law.

In 1979 the school bus workers defied the courts. In 2013, even after the federal National Labor Relations Board declares the strike to be legal, the ATU has offered to return to work. It was the same Milton Mollen, long since retired and now 93 years old, who met with the union and the companies soon after the current strike began. He brought an offer of virtual surrender from ATU Local 1181 to the Bloomberg administration—a proposal to return to work while negotiating "cost savings"—only to be flatly turned down.

Today, in contrast to the 1979 strike, the workers have been kept isolated, picketing in desolate areas of the city, out of touch with one another. There has been no public meeting for the rank and file.

In 1979 there was no scabbing. Other unions did not cross the picket lines, while today the United Service Workers and ATU Local 91 are sending workers across picket lines at Atlantic, Consolidated and some of the other school bus companies. Even mechanics from Local 1181, the same local as the striking drivers, are crossing, told that they must because they have separate contracts and will be fired if they don't continue to work.

In 1979, the union, its well-known corruption notwithstanding, was still a defensive organization, answerable to the rank and file to a certain extent. Today, the leadership negotiates for its own interests, in opposition to the needs of the rank and file, seeking a cut of the profits sweated out of the workers.

The 1979 struggle is just one example of the basic truth that nothing was ever achieved except through independent struggle. Carrying out such a struggle today requires building" NEW ORGANIZATIONS," rank-and-file committees of struggle independent and seperate of the current ATU officers and based on an entirely new perspective for the unconditional defense of the jobs, living standards and working conditions of all workers.
Posted by John Israel and the 2014 Salerno Slate

I  just wanted to  thank the site administrator for taking time away from his personnel life to make this forum available for myself and other union members in having a place to access useful information for the job, to vent frustrations, to exchange ideas, and in some way , being able to bring a sense of solidarity to a job that takes a piece of our dignity all too often. you guys at pioneer are fortunate to be in a half way decent company, and from what I hear from a few of you, a shop Stewart that try's, for the most part to watch your back, that's a whole lot more than many drivers and matrons are looking at these days!, and you got this useful web site too .so without any politics attached, thank you Mr. administrator, John Israel Gotham Transportation

We need you Pioneer guys to look to the future, we are all in this together, if we dont stand up and be respected by the very people we pay to guard our civil rights we are as done as done can be, I dont know about you but I am running out of Tylenol, lets meet on the finish line not the unemployment line," THANK GOD FOR ELECTIONS"

New York school bus workers defiant in face of attacks
By a WSWS reporter
20 March 2014
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 is continuing to collaborate in the restructuring of school bus operations in New York City on the backs of the drivers and matrons responsible for safely transporting 100,000 public school students daily.

Last month one of the largest operators, Reliant, transferred nearly 400 routes to a rival company. The move rids Reliant of higher paid drivers as it prepares to take on 1,200 routes in September. Reliant won those routes by offering low bids in anticipation of ruthless wage cuts, which were made possible by the betrayal by the ATU of last year's month-long strike to preserve the Employee Protection Provision in the school bus contracts.

The union's collaboration with the planned cuts was shown when it held a pick for the transferred routes last month. All but a handful of previous Reliant drivers lost their routes in the new pick. Workers suspect this is payback for voting down the ATU-backed concessions demanded by Reliant. These drivers and matrons had rejected the concession demands brought back by the union three times in succession.

Two younger drivers from the Reliant Bus Company spoke to WSWS reporters about the conditions they face after the sellout of their strike a year ago. "The owner of this company is a crook," one of the drivers said. "Last Christmas he awarded himself a $1.5 million bonus, while at the same time there were workers under him who had their pay checks cut. Workers at this company were fired illegally last week," he added, explaining that they had received a "fake check" for their severance pay, which bounced when they attempted to deposit it.

Both workers, who asked to remain anonymous, spoke with disdain for the Amalgamated Transit Union bureaucracy, calling it "corrupt" and "like another business we're forced to pay dues to."

One of the workers continued, "The company and union have not bargained in good faith, we have been forced to vote on the same contract three times now. When a contract is rejected, it usually means that you are supposed to make a change in it before it comes back up for a vote." He also mentioned that the union had taken up different contracts with various bus companies, forcing the members at each to compete against one another in order to get work. "Whatever happened to solidarity?" he asked. "They [the union] make us feel as though whatever [contract] comes up, we must accept it."

A bus driver with 23 years of experience explained the situation at Reliant Bus Company. "The company has already given us a contract and we rejected it three times. They have already split the company in two to punish us for this. Reliant is the top company and I think they are trying to pit us against All American, the new company they made.

"Reliant owes me $7,000 but I don't think they have the money. Last Friday, All American gave out checks but told the drivers not to cash them until Monday. The company did not have money in their account for this."

Asked about the situation after last year's strike, he said, "The company and [ATU Local] 1181 are in the same bed. Mayor Bloomberg wanted to get rid of the EPP for the company, and the union was with the company. The new mayor de Blasio signed something that said he would address the EPP. That is on paper. Maybe he did that all just for votes.
Posted by John Israel and the 2014 Salerno Slate