Nobody Cares

[Buzz]

A couple of days ago I sent an email to the NYS Dept. of Education advising them of how the DOE is apparently ignoring the state's own regulation about social distancing on buses by telling us we can't refuse kids to avoid crowding. I thought they would be concerned. Silly me. I received a reply the very next day. Here it is:



Good afternoon,

Thank you for your email.

It is up to the district (DOE in this case) to determine the definition and application of what "should social distance" means on a school bus.

It is also true that no child should be left behind at a bus stop.

You would need to follow your company policy if your bus becomes over crowded or unsafe.

Please refer to the DOH guidelines and the FAQs on the SED website under the reopening section.

Thank you once again.



Paul Overbaugh

Director of Pupil Transportation

New York State Education Department

89 Washington Avenue

Albany, NY  12234

Phone 518-473-2833

Fax 518-474-3666

paul.overbaugh@nysed.gov

[Hammer2161]

Utterly fucking amazing. So the guidelines that were published were just another useless attempt at so called safety. I find it amazing that there is such a blatant disregard for human life when dealing with this city. Everything else we do from dining to shopping or god forbid going to the gym must follow those safety protocols. But not the BOE they are somehow above the law. This is a disaster waiting to happen and as that letter seems to imply no one gives a shit.

Totally Fucked Up !!!!

[LMR]

Just more useless information.If that doesn't explain to us where we're at concerning our guidelines and protocol.It's a circle jerk layered with double talk!😳😡

[Hammer2161]

Maybe that email response should somehow find it's way into the hands of news reporters at SILive or some other bigger news agency. The DOE AND BOE AND DUMBLASIO simply don't give a shit.

[OMG]

Yeah, I think what we're going through along with the lack of concern for our safety should also go into the hands of people who can broadcast it.. I think it should go live!

[OMG]

The NY Post Would have a field day on this!

[yabba]

i understand everyones concern... i just feel this is not a good thing to make public... this  could backfire and stop transportation and we are then but in a worse place then we are right now.. remeber we have a lot of brothers and sisters hurting right now, no benefits,bills coming due,and all hope of returning to work keep getting kicked back

[Buzz]

Maybe that email response should somehow find it's way into the hands of news reporters at SILive or some other bigger news agency. The DOE AND BOE AND DUMBLASIO simply don't give a shit.

That definitely occurred to me, but then I thought about the same exact thing that yabba posted above.

[OMG]

Or the end result could lead to SAFE transportation

[Hammer2161]

I totally get that but we also have a lot of brothers and sisters with underlying medical conditions that make them more susceptible to this damn COVID-19. If and god forbid if any of us get sick and it's fatal we will not be able to help our loved ones pay the bills coming due.

The truly sad part is that we have been put in a position where we need to choose between our livelihoods and our own personal safety.

[yabba]

I totally get that but we also have a lot of brothers and sisters with underlying medical conditions that make them more susceptible to this damn COVID-19. If and god forbid if any of us get sick and it's fatal we will not be able to help our loved ones pay the bills coming due.

The truly sad part is that we have been put in a position where we need to choose between our livelihoods and our own personal safety.

its all true and the whole thing is a mess no matter how we look at it...  i really dont know what to say ..

[Hammer2161]

Listen I doubt anyone is blaming anyone we are just voicing our opinions and concerns.

But here's a novel idea: If the BOE had updated the runs to give us some idea of who is riding and on what days it would most likely help to ease our minds.
But being handed a copy of last years runs with god knows how many kids on it and then being told to refer to the back of the run for a diagram on seating so we can socially distance the children. Oh wait and then there's the siblings can ride together rule and my favorite if 100 kids show up at the stop wearing masks let them sit on each other's laps as long as you don't dare leave a child behind.

It is totally unfair to us as drivers and matrons that we are unable to get a set standard of safety protocols that we can follow.

I sit here tired perplexed upset and annoyed. But most of all I feel LET DOWN.

[OMG]

Exactly my point, I know we have fellow coworkers who are at risk with underlying conditions, which is why we need to be safe. We can't just take any kids that have a mask on at the bus stop and be overloaded, because many of us are compromised. The Board of Education needs to be exposed for the idiots they are, I guarantee with the OPT office have Safe distancing rules along with our office right here in Pioneer.

[04012013]

Could Disability be an option for those who should not work under these conditions?

[Hammer2161]

I would think that would have to be a medical disability and I am not sure what it would take to make that happen. It's a valid point but I am sure it won't be accepted well on any level.

Just Wish This Nightmare Would End !!!!

[LMAO]

Buzz hit it on the head " no one cares " if WE don't take a stand for our Own safety no one else Will I'm seeing post on Here about bills getting paid ( we were getting paid more staying home and now with the extra $300 We are making almost as much ) If you want to say Medical coverage , I can understand your point . The city , the Company and our  union Are giving us the circle jerk because in the end THEY are not in HARMS way , there is power in unity if we don't have that , we have NOTHING ! 
Stay together stay strong everyone wants to go back but don't go In weak !
Keep yourself and your family safe above anything else .
       

[yabba]

300 is a joke... we still waiting and its just about broke...maybe another 900 if we are lucky... i rather take precaution and have my pay check and pension and welfare security...

[Hammer2161]

Yes Buzz did hit it on the head !!!!

But unfortunately I think your math is wrong. Yes we were all taking home more when the 600 came into play and although we would be taking home less with the additional 300 I would hope most could get by. But the 300 was only for 3 weeks and as of today no one has seen that money. Not exactly sure where you stand in seniority but if you are at top pay claiming single zero on deductions you were taking home around 8 hundred a week. And although it would only be about a 5 or 6 hundred dollar a month difference if the 300 were permanent that money is crucial to people who only have this job and not a pension from elsewhere.

So although there is most definitely strength in unity we must all agree as to what is most important. Not sure if you were here for the last strike but I am betting most would not want to strike.

We were always told safety first so now I ask " WHAT ABOUT OUR SAFETY " ?

[Numbers]

Just got my 900 in my bank

[rc1790]

Chase must have just released it. 2 went it. Got screwed out of a1 for now

[OMG]

I don't think anyone is talking strike, that should be off the table. But OPT, the BOE, the parents, and possibly the media should know that our buses may potentially be overcrowded, and the children may potentially be put at risk To infect parents, grandparents, aunts and uncle's unless  stringent and safe busing rules are implemented. Not just hastily put together and telling us to go out there and just wing it and wish for the best. And let us not forget the safety of the drivers and bus attendants.

[LMAO]

Hammer,  yes I was here for the strike and top pay and seniority  but a strike is definitely NOT  the way to go ! There are Other ways to get our point across,  sick out ,break downs , no covering runs to mention a few .You are never going to make everyone happy On this topic but we should not sacrifice our health For anyone  Just my thoughts

[Hammer2161]

I don't think anyone is talking or wanting a strike but other than that it appears we are stuck with what the BOE and Pioneer give us in relations to safety protocols.

I would have hoped more safety measures would be in place by now but unfortunately that's not the case. The system is failing every person related to the NYC school system. 6 months and this is the best we could come up with. What a disgrace. 

LMAO I agree a strike is not the way to go. Most drivers throughput the city could never afford that at this point. Not sure about the sick outs and the breakdown's either but I would hope we would get some guidance from someone at some point.

[OMG]

I'm sending a copy of that handout we got from Owen during the class to the New York post, along with a picture of the hand sanitizer and the masks made in China