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.

AN UPDATE TO THURSDAY MEETING

The PEP agenda has once again changed and has removed the vote to pay the contractors for the month of April. I will get back to you all when I know more.

Ernie.

        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

Ok regarding this post

As of yesterday Blue Cross Blue Shield benefits have been terminated ...however if you have a name and time you spoke to them please advise so I can correct this..Because as of RIGHT NOW no one in 1181 has medical benefits from Blue Cross Blue Shield.

yes

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 not suggesting you take COBRA...my intent in this message is to alert all members of an email circulating about COBRA. just  to clarify that it is not FREE.  Do not believe the Interpretation that some members have of the meaning of furlough.. Please be aware that we know everyone is worried but we cannot put the cart before the horse. All information will be supplied as soon as we are briefed.

So PLEASEEEEE do NOT listen to news reports or what you read in newspapers or INTERNET until you hear directly from your UNION

         Someone from our Union is circulating an email about your rights during a furlough in it there is a quote that says medical plans are usually maintained and you will have access to your medical benefits through COBRA .That is correct BUT medical benefits through COBRA can only be acquired by PAYING for them. It is NOT FREE.

                            THIS ARTICLE IS MISLEADING AND BEING MISINTERPRETED..

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.

Please let me make this clear..

New hires do not  qualify to receive an Easter check.

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

This is an update as of the last post this afternoon:


        Our Union not only has spoken to the head of the DOE but has also contacted the head of Labor Board,City Council and the Chancellor requesting to please stop all trips and after school programs which also includes Project Read. We need to be informed on what's going on throughout the industry including all Companies. Also we need information and direction from the Board. It is not fair the Department Of Education leave the workers in the dark.

We will give all our Members updates as we are informed of any changes

Thank you from  1181

        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!