Thomas Salerno Bio

[24yrs1181]

                     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.

[Buzz]

Sounds impressive.

Was he too modest to tell people how he can bend steel with his bare hands?

[Buzz]

Quote this line from his website: "RESTORE THE EPP ... THAT IS NOT THE SOLUTION."


If he doesn't think that getting the EPP back is the ONLY way we can hope to restore jobs and protect our pensions, he has no business running for ANYTHING.

C-L-U-E-L-E-S-S.

[Goose623]

He is not even a shop steward now.. The people he works with wouldn't vote for him..n that's his co workers..