Soon the drivers, matrons and mechanics of Pioneer are going to be offered a contract from our employer. This contract was negotiated between our employer, and 1181. 1181 did not approve this contract, only the drivers, matrons and mechanics can approve or disapprove the contract. Then we will then be given the opportunity to vote on this contract. If the contract is approved, it will take effect immediately, and extend to June 2015. We believe due to the state of our economy, and the circumstances brought forth by Mayor Bloomberg, that there will probably be give backs in this contract. What the give backs will consist of has yet to be determined. Our employer has stated that these give backs are necessary in order for him to be competitive in bidding for future work. Now the way we see it, if you place money on a table, and tell someone that they can help themselves, we don't think there would be any money left.

         THIS IS THE TIME that we can make a significant difference, THIS IS THE TIME that WE will inform our employer what the drivers, matrons and mechanics think is FAIR.
         If WE, UNITED AS ONE, feel that we are NOT getting a FAIR DEAL, then THIS IS THE TIME to vote NO. As soon as we are notified of the details of the contract, we will call a meeting at the Arthur Kill yard. We then will discuss the contract and either approve or disapprove it. REMEMBER; please keep in mind a vote to disapprove the contract will ultimately lead to a STRIKE.

Thank you all
Ernie and Andy

        I will make this short and to the point. Our NLRB ruling was announced on Friday in favor for all our members. We still have a long haul in front of us regardless of this ruling. So let's not count our chickens before they hatch. We have won every single ruling against the companies since the start of our fight with their coalition. But please be mindful as I have said numerous times *The wheels of Justice spin slow*. We must wait for interpretations of this ruling for the clarity and direction of how the companies will pay and when they will pay. Our attorneys will direct us in this matter.

        We will continue our fight for our job protections. The strike was not in vain but it
was a necessary tool to raise awareness to our issue. So again we stand strong and in spite of most non believers, we would not have won these rulings without the powerful negotiations and continuous fight from our president and executive board.

Just as the slogan goes We must be Jersey Strong We Must be 1181 STRONG. And continue our fight as ONE! As I go along and read posts from the sites of when we will get paid PLEASE we must wait for the INTERPRETATIONS. We absolutely do not have an answer for WHEN or HOW.
Thank you All and God Bless 1181

Ernie

I spoke to Buzz today concerning all the chatter about the next pick of runs. The decision of picking runs is between the BOE and the Union .It's agreed upon by both parties. I understand there are some who are upset already about a pick being Nov or Jan or Feb. At this point in time I don't have a definitive answer of when the pick will be, due to the enormous amount of layoffs that we have had. And I know that we are going to have a master pick. Also to all concerned we have much more fish to fry than worrying about a pick.

Now getting on to more positive news:
The federal Judge has ruled in favor of the Union, which means from this day forward we will revert back to the old contract. So when we start work in Sept of this year we will be back to the 7 ½ percent that was taken away from us. If any overtime is incurred will we be paid. All holidays will be paid. All overtime will be paid. Anyone working any school while the BOE is closed will go back to being an additional days pay. As far as our retro money that has not yet been decided at this point. We are still waiting for a ruling from the NLRB on the local side. I don't know how long that will take, however as always as soon as I know you all will know. The ruling has been posted on the 1181 site for all to read by our President Michael Cordiello.If there are any more questions please feel free to ask and I am more than happy to answer.
Respectfully Ernie


http://atu1181.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/FEDERAL-INJUNCTION-DECISION-08-29-2013.pdf

The runs will be coming down tomorrow from Bd of Ed.I will be at Pioneer hanging them up with Andy.You can view runs on Fri 6-2,Sun 6-2 and Mon 6-2.And pick will start on Tues 8-27-13 9:am.

The updated seniority list will be hung Thursday 22,2013

The meeting between the union and the contractors is NOT a negotiating meeting. It is for an informational purpose ONLY. As in a first step towards negotiating! To find out where we stand and if there could be ANY movement from either side. We all know we are at in impasse at this point.
And as I would love to believe what John is saying. However I'm sorry John you are not correct in what you are telling everyone. If that were the case it would have been presented to me as the Steward at a Shop Steward meeting and for me in turn to forward it to the Pioneer family and then be presented at a meeting for a vote. John please do not pass on anything that is NOT concrete. Because as I am sure you know, it has not been presented as a proposal to our members for a contract to be voted on.
We don't have a chrystal ball for the future, and by stating these words here would only cause everyone to get up in arms and go off half cocked about things that are not true and spread like a cancer. So please everyone understand this. IF there are any changes what so ever, I will bring it to our family at pioneer and I am sure at that time, the union will bring it to the membership for a vote.
Please let's be civil about this and wait for the final words from NLRB.

God Bless You all and have a good evening
Ernie

We know today has turned out to be a very dark day, Due to the actions of the contractors. Especially the owner of Pioneer. It is a very sad day when the members of Pioneer, who have dedicated their experience and sincere devotion and especially the professionalism to a company who has proved over and over it is the best in the industry. However, remember we must stay unified because as dark as it may seem today we will prevail. Do not allow this action to force any of the professional people we are to make any errors in our actions. I know this is a hardship on all of us on many levels. But I ask you ask to take a deep breath and don't be hasty.
I have received emails and information containing fact that we are going back to the table with the contractors to negotiable again. And while we wait for an answer from the NLRB, this is all a good step in the right direction. So, please as mad as this is getting us. I ask you all as your Shop Steward and friend to continue to walk with me to the finish line in victory. Which I believe will be ours.
Notices from the board of education have been sent to every contractor in lei of a mass text that has been sent through the industry stating that there will be a job action tomorrow industry wide. The board notified each contractor to look at their workers attendance record. If they believe there is any type of job action by a sick out, running purposely late or damage of equipment in any company. The board of education will react by decertifying said worker.
We have stayed strong this far and we are only weeks away from an NLRB decision. Which any intelligent person can see we will prevail.
Thank you all for your cooperation
God Bless you all
Ernie

To all my brothers and sisters of 1181 and especially my Pioneer family.
        In the long days of striking I know you all took many hours and precious time away from your loved ones, as did the strike captains. This has been a long 4 weeks of fighting and trying to keep our needs focused on what was the most important issue. I know it has not been easy financially or emotionally. But it was a necessary to support and honor our union. In spite of all the people that were not happy with all the decisions that were made. I applaud everyone for standing by our union. I especially want to thank all of my strike captains and most of all a very special thanks to my assistants Andy, Anthony, Bobby, John and Gary who helped the ground game go easier. This event has brought many of our members back to complete solidarity and places our best foot forward and leaves behind whatever bad taste that some have had for the union.
        Also I wish to express my gratitude to each and everyone who were nothing but professional even in the darkest days of the disrespect we witnessed by the scab drivers. I am sure at least one or two felt the need to hurl something at the scabs drivers, thank you all for showing your restrain. I know it was not an easy thing to do. But just know we all come out looking better.
Just keep in mind that we will still fight for what we all deserve. The EPP will not fall by the wayside.1181 will continue this battle till it's won.
        So in closing once again thank you everyone for all your support, remember I always said the war can't be won by one person. It will take all of us to fight it.
Thank you all and God bless, enjoy your weekend.
Ernie

https://www.youtube.com/user/underthebusfilm?feature=watch

http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/Video.aspx?Mode=Auto&URL=aHR0cDovL2NvdW5jaWxueWMucGVnY2VudHJhbC5jb20vZmxhc2gvbWVkaWFfcGxheWVyXzc5OGMuc3dmP3NlcnZlcj1ueWMtcnRtcC5wZWdjZW50cmFsLmNvbSZhY2NvdW50PWNvdW5jaWxueWMmdmlkZW9GaWxlbmFtZT1OWUNDLVBWLTI1MC0xNjEzMDIwOC0xMDM4MzcubXA0&Mode2=Video#.URZCbB5si4U.email

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y1yHrGjrJs&feature=share

        As you all know the NLRB has ruled that our strike is legal and binding. This was one of the big messages we were waiting for. And the next and most important one is to show proof that the Mayor should sit at the table with the union and contractors. It is well known they tried to take a back seat in the negotiation by continuously denying that they are not part of this strike or negotiation. There are two simple words that indeed puts Capt Bloomy & his first mate Walcott at the table with the union and contractors. Those words are *PENSION LIABILITY* As we know the contractors do not pay for the pension and welfare of our attendants. The department of education does. So that indeed puts them at the negotiating table. We needed to show proof to our politicians that our strike was legal. Well now they have it. We are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. At first it was a glimmer and now the light is shinning much brighter.

        The attorney's have informed the union with an informational letter, stating the very fact of Pension Liability. They will now take this motion to higher levels, and prove that the BOE pays for their pension and welfare.
        I return tomorrow and I am sure I will have more updates for you. As I always say please stay strong and diligent and we will prevail.
God Bless You all
Ernie.

http://action.advocate.nyc.gov/bus

Robin Benedetto
To all 1181 Members
We need Members to go to 52 Chamber st. to walk around Chambers St. & City Hall at 12:00 to 5pm tomorrow through Friday that's the week of feb 4th through the 8th!!!!!!!!!! Very important
thank you, see you tomorrow I will be there at 12:00pm

http://www.workers.org/2013/01/29/unions-parents-support-nyc-school-bus-workers/

Please everyone that can...go to the SI Zoo tomorrow morning. Please get there early,the groundhog shows at 6:AM we all need to be there bright and early. There will be more direction once we all arrive.
The mayor won't be there but in her place will be Quinn.If she shows us support we will show her support.
Thank you all and God Bless
Ernie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYBKybeP5us

First I want to say that we are finally getting the coverage and respect we need from Christine Quinn and City Council. By tomorrow all city council members will be on board. I see that John and Patrick posted something in regards to going to walking over the bridge. It is a plan in progress through the union. We are trying to do everything we can to stay legal. We have applied for permits to attend the SI Zoo on Saturday, if we don't receive a permit for Saturday we cannot congregate in groups of more than 20 people in order for us not to break city ordinances. Of course our dictator mayor will not be attending the SI Zoo on Saturday. Christine Quinn will be there in his place.

I also spoke to Councilwoman Rose and they are getting together with our President and Larry Hanley. Also spoke to Michael Grimm's office to see if he will reach out on a federal level to reach the Governor. Remember in spite of all of what you see the contractors putting out there to get us back to work, we MUST stand strong and not give in. We are coming up on the last day of benefits and that is what the Mayor's office and the contractors are banking on to break us. We cannot allow them to break our spirits and brake us down with empty promises.

Respectfully
Ernie
I will return back on the line within a day or two. Bless you all.

Quinn and city council are now on board with 1181

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaucKwRu0ho&feature=share

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