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.

          I want to thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding in these crazy times. This is absolutely the strangest and craziest school openings we have ever have and hopefully never have again.

          First I would like to say that I appreciate everyone getting involved in the poll on our website. It is very important for me to prove to the owner of the company that at no time did anyone from the Pioneer office contact any members Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday about coming to work. Other than the late conversation that I had with the owner of Pioneer late Tuesday afternoon, in asking him to put a  message out to the members of Pioneer  to some sort of guidance for wed ,but apparently by the time Dispatcher Robert Janks made the announcement for what I am to understand most runs were already in.

          I tried voicing  my opinion  to the owner of Pioneer as to why he didn't have office staff send out a mass email as he has done in the past when he furloughed everyone at the end of April. However not until Wednesday evening an email finally came out from pioneer informing our members what to do on Thursday and Friday.

          Please be sure to document your AM run and PM run both days (Thursday and Friday).Be sure to write down the correct times on all stops. It is important that this be done properly to ensure that your runs are to be corrected by the BOE and their Routers the number of children and times on your runs are very important. Please Sign and date for both days before turning into office (PLEASE KEEP A COPY FOR YOURSELF)

Now Accruals: I know we were told they would arrive on or before the 30th of Sept as per the ruling of the arbitrator .However due to the mass confusion of our returning to work checks weren't able to be made for this Friday. And the final date was suppose to be no later than the 30th which is Wednesday of next week. All accruals will be paid on next week's payroll on the second of October.  Guaranteed!.

Now Medical: I spoke to the head of the fund and as I explained too many people already, each company has to send in an attendant sheet for everyone who came into work this week before they can reactivate your medical cards. No matter what day it is when it is turned on, it will be retroactive back to Sept 1st.Hopefully it should be completed no later than next week.

PLEASE Participate in the poll it is very important.

And as always I thank you all for your cooperation

Ernie

AFTER I JUST RECIEVED A CALL FROM PIONEER,I have been told anyone who has been CALLED to do their RUN..DO YOUR RUN and FOLLOW your run from the first pick up to your school.
EVERYOME else who was NOT called will go to the yard at your start time.pre-trip your bus and go DIRECTLY to your first school and wait further instructions from DISPATCH

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

For everyone confused about calling unemployment ...I did NOT say to do it or NOT. Also no one has been given any indication what so ever about not getting paid.
IN reality everyone knows who ever worked this week would NOT be eligible for unemployment on the 20th .This was strictly for the people who didn't and don't understand unemployment insurance.

I only made mention to that to clear up all the calls I got

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

Guys Please

        Stop saying you're the lowest on the totem pole with this pandemic. Each and every one of you are important and the Union and Companies are striving to ensure all your safety There is no where that states you WILL or WILL NOT get more then 10 kids at a time. The runs you are all looking at are LAST YEARS runs. Pre-pandemic. The routers have to go through the runs and separate them properly.

        As far as the PPE's ..the company did INFACT supply the PPE's..He is still waiting on the gloves. And whether anyone chooses to use the gloves or not is your discretion .But understand the PPE's are being supplied.
As far as the buses not being properly cleaned since March.  I Do not know this as fact and I am not saying what people are saying are lies.. BUT I will look into this.I do know for fact that every single bus in Arthur Kill and Sharotts  has been disinfected with a fogging machine and I know for certain 100%.

Also the question of the day is Medical and when is it going to be reinstated?

All companies were requested to send in a complete list of Drivers and Attendants who showed up to work  MONDAY and TUESDAY and until Blue Cross Blue Shield  gets the list from every contractor that is in our fund..it will take a little bit. It is not like flipping a light switch.  HOWEVER  and Most importantly your medical goes back to SEPT 1.

I ask all to please be patient

Thank you
Ernie.

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