My journey began in the school bus industry in 1979. I was blessed to have the opportunity to make many friends along the way. As time rolled by I found myself working with different companies. In September of 1992 I started working at Pioneer. I made friends with a man named Ed Gigliotti who at that time was the Assistant Steward of Pioneer; he was the one who influenced me to get involved with union business. Ed urged me to use my passion that I have for the people and be a voice for the Drivers Matrons & Mechanics.He then became the Shop Steward and he took me on as his Assistant. Eventually he moved up in position as Delegate of 1811.I also moved up and became the Shop Stewart and remained in that position for over 17 years.
        My assistant became Andrew Cappa..Together we worked to overcome the many hurdles at Pioneer. I fought tirelessly and long hours to ensure all Drivers, Matrons and Mechanics were treated fairly and represented properly. I put in long hours even after most went home. As Time went on I also moved up as the Delegate of 1181 representing Pioneer Transportation and other companies. And of course never forgot my home in Pioneer. My passion reflected in the care I took for all companies. I was very proud to become a Delegate and work alongside the President of 1181 and the entire Executive Board.

        Now coming to present time I'm entering a new chapter in my life. I have worked since I was 15 years old and always looking forward to the retirement years. As much as I am sad to leave I am also excited to be able to spend more time with my wife, my children and my grandchildren. It is not actually possible to name all the amazing lifelong friends that I have made along the way. However I am sure you all know who you are and I just wanted to thank you for all the backing and support that I have received and most importantly your friendship.
        I also want to thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. I am very proud of what we have all accomplished together. I know that our job is not easy at times because of the changes brought on over the years by The Dept of Ed. I also know how discouraging our jobs can be at times. That being said I just want to offer these words of encouragement. You are all doing great job and you ALL truly make a difference in this world no matter what position you hold.
        If any of you need me you always know I am only a phone call away.
The times shared, friendships made will always be a part of my memories.
Thank you all for being a part of my family
Thank you and God Bless
Ernie

Ladies and gentleman

        Let's get one thing straight .The obligation of the Union to contact the company and notify them of the concerns was ABSOULETLY done with the powers to be of Pioneer, as they heard the allegations. There were no proof positives until just recent. But the notification to the company by the Union was done.

        Seriously the accusations coming from some of the members who should be standing with their Union (which are a choice few) always seem to have something negative to say.

        Also the Union which is clear on the legal issues, The Company itself is not obligated to tell any employees WHO (Specifically) has the virus but direct all employees to get tested. That being the HIPPA law. I am sure there are many worried about coming in contact with Bobby but also take into consideration he was wearing a mask and was behind a plastic shield.

If you have any concerns on the part of the Union. Contact your Union Rep or Delegate and speak to him.
I am available at any time of the day.

Ernie

One last thing: Let's all hope Bobby and family recover quickly.

ALERT !!!!  ALERT !!!!   ALERT !!!!
PLEASE BE ADVISED ALL DRIVERS AND ATTENDANTS OF PIONEER STATEN  ISLAND AND BRONX.
WE HAVE JUST RECIEVED NEW INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE DOE AND THE OWNER OF PIONEER.SO DO NOT KILL THE MESSANGER !!!!

ALL EMPLOYEES MUST REPORT AT YOUR REPORT TIME MONDAY 9-21-20
YOU MUST BE READY WILLING AND IN FULL UNIFORM TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN.WHEN YOU GET TO WHATEVER YARD YOU COME OUT OF.PRETRIP YOUR BUS AND GO TO YOUR FIRST SCHOOL ON YOUR RUN SHEET  AND WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS FROM PIONEER DISPATCH

AS I CONSTANTLY TOLD YOU WE ARE IN VERY UNPRESENTED TIMES AND THE CHANGES ARE MINUTE TO MINUTE HOUR BY HOUR AND DAY BY DAY.
PLEASE BE SAFE.

ERNIE

We finally got some good news!!!!

Work starts Monday the week of the 21ST.

When the company calls you and says your run is going, you will receive 100% pay for every day you work.

The people whose run are not going will receive 85% percent if they are asked to stay home.

But at the end of the day everyone will be paid for 40 hours a week.

Anyone with a Jewish school that only goes out in the afternoon no matter what their pick up time is will be paid a full day's pay at 100 %

That also goes for catholic schools charter schools Islamic schools whoever works gets paid 100% no matter what time you start..

The runs are being re routed as I write this. They will be working all weekend Sat and Sun and so will Pioneer office Staff in Staten Island and the Bronx.

If you did not receive a call as of yet I am sure you will no later than Sunday.

I have also been informed in the last couple of hours that some of our members have not received the PPE Protection as of yet .I assure you no one will be driving their bus without receiving their PPE .
Please be safe out there and do the best you can do as the professionals we are. If there are any issues I will be at Pioneer Staten Island Monday starting at 5:00 AM.

Thank you all for your continued patience. I know this is a troubling time for us all. This is all unchartered waters for us all. I do appreciate everyone's patience.

Ernie

        It is troubling for me to say that I still have nothing good to tell you at this time in regards to our Mayor and Chancellor. Our President Michael Cordiello has been in contact with the Dept Of Ed,The Commissioner of Labor and the City Council through the Mayor's office, and all the owners of the bus companies.

        But to No avail have we received any answers from any of the departments or owners of the bus companies. I promise as soon as I get any information I will be back on the computer to inform you.

AND ONE LAST THING ....I know everyone is wondering and waiting with baited breath as to whether they should or should not claim Unemployment on Sunday .But once again I am asking you to be patience and allow me to get back to you before anyone makes any harsh decision.

Thank you again for your continued patience.

Ernie


IN ADDITION TO THIS POST.
I AM NOT SAYING I AM TELLING ANYONE TO CLAIM OR NOT. I ONLY SAID IT BECAUSE I AM GETTING CALLS ABOUT PEOPLE CLAIMING. THIS WAS JUST TO LET EVERYONE KNOW AN UPDATE.WE WILL GET TO THE NEXT STEP WHEN WE CAN.


THIS ADDITION IS IN REGARDS TO THE WEEK OF THE 20TH

Please ,
everyone has to stop feeding into all the fabrications coming from other companies..yes we know that the runs from the BOE have been sitting on their website since last year .With absolutely no changes SINCE THE PANDEMIC .the Board of ED  has no understanding  just how they are going to proceed. Changes are being made every single day. The union has been ghosted by the Board Of ED and the Mayor's office for months.
In spite of numerous calls from the Union and our International President trying and get some sort of resolve to move forward. We would love to come out and tell everyone what they would love to hear. But all you are going to get from me and the rest of the Union is the TRUTH.
As far as our accrual money, arbitration was completed to today. As everyone should know there is no answer from any arbitration in the same day. So Just because you don't hear from the Union as often as you like..Please be advised your President and your Executive board are working diligently every single day to get us all back to work.
As I always say as soon as I get any information I will certainly forward whatever the union knows and whatever the union needs to tell the membership. I do understand that there is a lot of negativity and unrest... and rightfully so. There is so much unknown in this new climate we are in. I truly promise that as SOON AS ANY information is given I will be OUT THERE.
Please remember although you hear stories and false assumptions of other companies I can assure you NO ONE knows exactly what protocol will be in place at this time.
And let me be clear on this....In spite of what is spoken ... the union always did and always will have your back.

Thank you
Ernie

        The Union and Companies are working hard to get everyone back into compliance. As I clearly stated before at NO COST to the member.
Keep in mind...WE WANT EVERYONE SAFE....Make no mistake we do not want anyone in harm's way.

        All Pioneer drivers and Attendants you will NOT be doing classes at Wheels on The Bus. Other companies may be referred there BUT that is NOT where Pioneer is going. PLUS we will be social distancing 6 feet apart and everyone will wear a mask and the necessary PPE requirements.
        There will be a cap depending on where the classes will take place. I do not believe there will be more than 30 people in a class. We are still waiting for instructions from the BOE on guidelines.
More Information will come as soon as we get it

Thank you stay safe
Ernie

To All Our Brothers and Sisters of 1181

        All companies are gearing up to give our safety classes. So we should all be patience and NOT run out and get your classes from an outside source that will cost you out of pocket. There are some people sending out letters and promoting their own business for testing.
        This is not to say someone can't go into business for themselves, However now knowing we have a tentative date of September 10,2020 all companies MUST give classes to be ready for opening day. The Union suggests that you please wait till your company calls on you and schedules your testing for FREE.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding
we will have more information on opening day to follow

Thank you
Ernie

To all Pioneer members

        As everyone has heard by now that the Governor of New York has stated that  NYC schools will open. The BOE has not as of yet notified the companies with a plan to reopen schools. However, I have spoken directly with the Owner of Pioneer who wishes to begin classes to get back into compliance. It  has been agreed it will be NO COST to Our Pioneer Members.

I am sure as of this writing the company with be notifying their employees of  WHEN and  WHERE classes will start.
Also as of yet the DOE has not notified the Union of any plan either. As soon as we get more information I will come back on to inform everyone.

Thank you all for your patience..
We know all have been uneasy as to our future but the union was  not   getting any information  of any plans to reopen from the BOE .So there was nothing to report.
Thank you all have a great weekend

Ernie.

Want to take this moment to wish all the Pioneer Dads a happy father's day.
Today is your day so enjoy every moment of it.

Dad is a son's first hero, and a daughter's first love.

https://www.silive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/out-of-work-school-bus-employees-bring-a-smile-to-special-needs-teen.html

TO ALL 1181 MEMBERS:

TO ALL THAT MAY NOT HAVE SEEN THIS POSTED BEFORE.

I HAVE EXPLAINED BEFORE AND YET QUESTIONS ARE STILL COMING IN ABOUT ACCRUAL MONEY AND OPT OUT MONEY.
THEY ARE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME BUT CONTRACTUALLY IT IS THE COMPANY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY.
WHEN THOSE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED I WILL LET EVERYONE KNOW.

FYI WE ARE STILL NEGOTIATING WITH THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND THE MAYORS OFFICE AS FAR AS WHAT WILL HAPPEN GOING FORWARD WE WILL KEEP EVERYONE INFORMED.

THANK YOU ERNIE

To everyone hunting down Medical Insurance.I have been in contact with Insurance Companies...This is my findings,I hope it helps..

The company is Fidelity

Ashley 929-255-0238
Tatiana 917-745-2254

The people over the age of 65 who go to Part B Medicare please contact
Donald 347-738-0950 
All are licensed providers.

        Anyone trying to get state insurance..When you file your application and the question comes up ' WHAT IS YOUR WEEKLY SALARY.'? You are ONLY going to file the amount of your unemployment pay.. DO Not include the $600.00 a week extended benefit. There are four separate plans with approximately 14 different insurance companies that can pick you up depending on the plan you choose. I am getting calls from some members who think they are NOT eligible due to what they made last year. That is absolutely not true.

There is a PEP meeting on Thursday this week, which at this time we are still not on their agenda as of yet. What are we doing about it??.. Our political friends are trying to ensure we are heard. Some people may not be aware but We have been in close contact with Mike Reilly State Assembly, Max Rose State Senator, Diane Savino  State Senator also have calls put into Andrew Lanza  State Senator office as well. In addition to John Solazzo who has close ties to the Mayor.
We made a request for emergency funding for our medical benefits. We have suggested giving up our 85% and staying on unemployment insurance if we could keep our medical benefits. Just know that we have made this request... Whether or not anyone listens remains to be seen,

Let me be clear so all understand that your Union President and Delegates are doing everything in their power to get this done.

Thank you and I will be in touch with any new information I receive.
Please stay safe you and your family

Thank you all ...Ernie

To all members
    I know that everyone is thinking this is the most horrible time. I just need everyone to know the Union will do everything in their power to keep moving forward and achieve our goal. Everyone must remember when we were knee deep into negotiations and times looked very grim. Where most of us thought we would be in the streets on strike. The Union did what they do best and conquered our problem by getting the Mayor's office involved with our negotiation. And YES I do understand that this time looks just as grim as it did back then and I know losing our jobs and medical benefits are a total disaster. I just want to inform everyone that the decision to not continue to fund drivers, attendants and mechanics has not been decided.        The BOE and the Mayor's office at this time have been silent and there have been no answers from either the BOE or Mayors office as of yet. I urge everyone to stay calm in spite of the letters you received or articles in news. Let us do what we do best as a Union, We will never give up. You're Executive  Board and the President of the Union have been on the phone all hours of the night. And most importantly remember the decision of stopping payment to contractors is made by the PEP which everyone knows the meeting yesterday was canceled till next week. The deciding factor is theirs. And NO SUCH decision has been made as of yet. As I said we think this is the most grim time in our lives, please try to stay calm in spite of the news you received today from the company.
            I will be back to you all as this ordeal moves forward and give you whatever answers we receive on a daily basis. From the contractors the City and the Mayor's office as well as the governor's office.

Thank you all respectfully Ernie and your President and Executive Board
P.S. I ask you all please have faith and we'll get through this together.

I am aware of the article in New York Daily news. However all I can say at this point is please sit tight..

I will have more answers later in the day.I appreciate your patience in this crucial issue.
Thank you all..please stay safe.

To all members of Pioneer

I have been in conference with the President and rest of the Executive Board.
One of the topics were Easter Week...all members of Pioneer will get a full Easter check and you will be able to collect unemployment..
Your Easter check will be dated prior to the unemployment week. So you will not be penalized by unemployment.
Here are some questions being asked:

1.Can I just collect unemployment and not the 85%?
Answer..Absolutely Not.
The company will not pay your medical or pension..you will be responsible for your own medical and pension and that would be considered a break in service.

2.Many people are asking if we are getting the 85% after April 20th.
Answer..I do not have an answer to that just yet..when I get the answer I will inform all..anything beyond April 20th..I don't have answers..

Stay safe and hope all our families healthy..
Ernie

        The president of local 1181 has already reached out and spoke to the head of Board of Ed.
Also  he spoke to Pioneers owner Neil and other company's to find out how they are going to start to inform all Members of every company.
Of course 1181 website will always have updates. And keep in mind  every one is welcomed to call the office at any time and give them your email for updates as it comes in.

To All My Pioneer Brothers and Sisters
and everyone else who attended last night's Nomination Meeting. I can't thank you all enough for the show of support. It was an honor for me to accept the nomination and I will continue to fight for all of our members!

To all the Drivers, Attendants and Mechanics of Pioneer.

        Thank you All for coming out to offer your support for the fight against the Companies who think we are not worth the time or the DIME to do a job that only professional Bus drivers and Attendants can do and for all the Mechanics who keep the buses running in the best shape possible. We need to stand together and fight this fight for our future as ONE.

        Thank you for your complete cooperation so that we can show the companies that we are STRONG!

Your Union Delegate
Ernie