Just spoke to Ernie and he wants me to remind everyone that no one should be paying for their medicals, even if the company is telling you they're due. (Michael stated that in a notice a couple of months ago.)
Also, nobody should be paying for classes ... as is the case with at least one company ... or paying for anything else while we are furloughed.
NOT YOUR PROBLEM!
I also spoke to Ernie this morning and I also knew about people possible paying for classes and medicals out of their pocket but I didn't post that part of it because I like to have a little positivity but thanks for the negativity. BTW The members at Hoyt had the choice of taking the class and paying or not taking the class as with all of us, if it came to that point we would have the same choice. We also have the choice like you and I do, to call our delegate or Shop Steward to find out what to do.
How do we get the company to pay for our medical if it's due
As a CDL holder, we are required to have an up to date medical if we wish to keep the CDL. Being furloughed is no excuse to not maintain our responsibility. At some point, the State will begin the downgrade for the CDL holder if the medical is not up to date. We've been furloughed 3 months at this point and this has been the only news from our union rep. I believe this is bad advice because inevitably, it will become our problem!
Quote from: 04012013 on July 30, 2020, 06:04:13 PM
As a CDL holder, we are required to have an up to date medical if we wish to keep the CDL. Being furloughed is no excuse to not maintain our responsibility. At some point, the State will begin the downgrade for the CDL holder if the medical is not up to date. We've been furloughed 3 months at this point and this has been the only news from our union rep. I believe this is bad advice because inevitably, it will become our problem!
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: 100% correct...DMV is slowly opening ... i think after august 31 inspections on cars have to be current... Very good point made...CDL medicals will be soon to follow..and we know it will take just one bad accident or medical episode with a CMV for the medical update to change real quick...
I agree with 04012013
Obviously it's the Responsibility of our Union Reps to look out for our best interest but it is also our responsibility as a bus driver to make sure that all of our paperwork is in order whether we have to pay for it or not. It's called using common sense!
NOT YOUR PROBLEM
I'd assume refresher courses can be waived for an extended time but I'm pretty sure that CDLs and Medicals can't. So don't tell it's not your problem when you lose your CDL license and your livelihood or when you get called back to work and your medical is not up-to-date.
Totally agree!Don't put off keeping your CDL certification current.Just got mine done to keep it current.We can always sort out the details later.Don't create unnecessary problems for yourself.That has and will always be your responsibility.Stay positive !
Quote from: PROUD MEMBER on July 30, 2020, 05:56:15 PM
I also spoke to Ernie this morning and I also knew about people possible paying for classes and medicals out of their pocket but I didn't post that part of it because I like to have a little positivity but thanks for the negativity. BTW The members at Hoyt had the choice of taking the class and paying or not taking the class as with all of us, if it came to that point we would have the same choice. We also have the choice like you and I do, to call our delegate or Shop Steward to find out what to do.
Don't know how what I posted is "negativity" just passing on the reminder as asked by Ernie. It is what it is ... interpret it any way you wish. When you spoke to Ernie did you thank him for the "negativity?"
Quote from: PROUD MEMBER on July 30, 2020, 06:39:47 PM
NOT YOUR PROBLEM
I'd assume refresher courses can be waived for an extended time but I'm pretty sure that CDLs and Medicals can't. So don't tell it's not your problem when you lose your CDL license and your livelihood or when you get called back to work and your medical is not up-to-date.
According to this you have 55 days to submit an updated medical certificate after receiving a "Notice of Non-Compliance and License Downgrade."
https://dmv.ny.gov/commercial-drivers/cdl-medical-certification-requirements
And by the way, it's the company's problem to have drivers that are legally able to drive their buses and cover their runs. They laid you off. They didn't give you a choice. If you want to make it your problem, go right ahead.
The sky isn't falling. Take a deep breath and relax a little. I'm not the enemy.
Quote from: faceit on July 30, 2020, 06:02:41 PM
How do we get the company to pay for our medical if it's due
They won't pay. The union is saying you don't have to get it done now. Of course, if you want to pay for it yourself, as some have chosen to do, nobody's stopping you.
"Not your problem"
This might be be Buzz adding his two cents, or it was said by Ernie. Either way it is wrong. Individually, we must make informed, researched and common sense decisions. In my time here Ernie has given more erroneous information than factual, (it might not be his fault). Andy has given none at all.
I pay anyway so what's the difference ?
:thumbup: :thumbup: :bomb:
Of course ur not the enemy but as the Administrator of this site many people take your word and listen to your word. When you state that the company should pay for your medical (true or not true) and quite possibly even the refresher course and that it's NOT YOUR PROBLEM, I assure you there will be some that will not get their medical (55 day extension or not) if they have to pay for it and that's no matter when school opens. Then when hopefully it's time to return to work those individuals that don't have their medicals and/or CDLs up to date and are told SORRY we can't help you. What are they supposed to say
We'll Buzz said NOT MY PROBLEM.
We are all adults and we are all Professional CDL Bus Drivers and of course our Medicals and CDL Licenses are OUR PROBLEM.
Quote from: 04012013 on July 30, 2020, 07:41:07 PM
"Not your problem"
This might be be Buzz adding his two cents, or it was said by Ernie. Either way it is wrong. Individually, we must make informed, researched and common sense decisions. In my time here Ernie has given more erroneous information than factual, (it might not be his fault). Andy has given none at all.
That
was my two cents. Didn't mean to be misleading.
Quote from: PROUD MEMBER on July 30, 2020, 07:46:53 PM
Of course ur not the enemy but as the Administrator of this site many people take your word and listen to your word. When you state that the company should pay for your medical (true or not true) and quite possibly even the refresher course and that it's NOT YOUR PROBLEM, I assure you there will be some that will not get their medical (55 day extension or not) if they have to pay for it and that's no matter when school opens. Then when hopefully it's time to return to work those individuals that don't have their medicals and/or CDLs up to date and are told SORRY we can't help you. What are they supposed to say
We'll Buzz said NOT MY PROBLEM.
We are all adults and we are all Professional CDL Bus Drivers and of course our Medicals and CDL Licenses are OUR PROBLEM.
My word doesn't count any more or less than anybody else's, admin or not. But it's not me saying that, it's a reminder from Ernie that he asked me to post. The company stopped paying for your benefits which reimbursed you for most of the cost of a physical. If you want to pay for something they should be paying for, nobody is stopping you. Remember, it's their problem too if they don't have drivers in compliance.
Quote from: PROUD MEMBER on July 30, 2020, 07:46:53 PM
Of course ur not the enemy but as the Administrator of this site many people take your word and listen to your word. When you state that the company should pay for your medical (true or not true) and quite possibly even the refresher course and that it's NOT YOUR PROBLEM, I assure you there will be some that will not get their medical (55 day extension or not) if they have to pay for it and that's no matter when school opens. Then when hopefully it's time to return to work those individuals that don't have their medicals and/or CDLs up to date and are told SORRY we can't help you. What are they supposed to say
We'll Buzz said NOT MY PROBLEM.
We are all adults and we are all Professional CDL Bus Drivers and of course our Medicals and CDL Licenses are OUR PROBLEM.
proud member im not saying you would...but noone should ever claim Buzz said this or Buzz said that...im thankful for this site,and i may not agree we everyones thoughts on many issues, but honestly i have talked with many members lately who are very discouraged with the lack of communication from 1181.. in the past 3 weeks we have heard many rumors or truth in news papers and word of mouth,about no general ed,city buying out companies,master pick...and not a word from OUR union...kind of scary.... now we lodt the 600 a week from feds,now reality is setting in and members are getting scared...our benefits we taken away in the matter of a day or 2..we went from we good at 85% to oh no your out in the street...the boss is holding many members vacation pay and opt out money...so i appreciate your little glimmer of hope and all the info buzz tries to get for us,cause if not for this site many of us would be in the dark completly....
Quote from: faceit on July 30, 2020, 07:41:40 PM
I pay anyway so what's the difference ?
You don't fill out the form to get partial reimbursement from the union? I usually get 50-something dollars back.
Quote from: yabba on July 30, 2020, 08:07:18 PM
...so i appreciate your little glimmer of hope and all the info buzz tries to get for us,cause if not for this site many of us would be in the dark completly....
Thanks for the vote of confidence, yabba. I let people speak their mind whether of not they agree with me and vice-versa. Seems fair to me.
Buzz you're not responsible for any confusion about getting the medical on our own.To be honest when I received the medical packet in the mail, I automatically determined to get it done as usual. I never even considered about the reimbursement at the time. I just figured that would come down the road. I just figured it would be wise to keep everything current.Thanks for the work you do on this site Brother!
Ive always paid for my medical before
Quote from: wheresmymoney! on July 30, 2020, 08:41:53 PM
Ive always paid for my medical before
I'm confused because I through 19a medicals were always out for pocket? I went for
Mine two months ago and paid my Dr out of pocket. Also I have a wheels on the bus certificate class I'm going to next week that I was told is 200 dollars so am
I not supposed to pay for that lol
Quote from: WigWag16 on July 30, 2020, 08:54:26 PM
Quote from: wheresmymoney! on July 30, 2020, 08:41:53 PM
Ive always paid for my medical before
I'm confused because I through 19a medicals were always out for pocket? I went for
Mine two months ago and paid my Dr out of pocket. Also I have a wheels on the bus certificate class I'm going to next week that I was told is 200 dollars so am
I not supposed to pay for that lol
OK ... If you fill out the reimbursement form for the medical the union will send you partial reimbursement. I usually get around $50 back.
As for the Wheels on the Bus ... assume you're talking about the 30 hour class. Yes, everybody pays for that. What I was talking about was the 2(?) hour safety refresher class.
Quote from: wheresmymoney! on July 30, 2020, 08:41:53 PM
Ive always paid for my medical before
Seems like a lot of people don't know they can get partial reimbursement from the union. Next time, ask Andy for the form.
we need dr aqua to come out of retirement....he can do 1/2 company before the pm run... ;D ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: LMR on July 30, 2020, 08:28:38 PM
Buzz you're not responsible for any confusion about getting the medical on our own.To be honest when I received the medical packet in the mail, I automatically determined to get it done as usual. I never even considered about the reimbursement at the time. I just figured that would come down the road. I just figured it would be wise to keep everything current.Thanks for the work you do on this site Brother!
Everybody should do as they see fit. Ernie was just trying to convey that they do not have to get their physicals at this time at their own expense but he didn't say anybody was prohibited from doing so.
Thanks for the kudos!
Quote from: yabba on July 30, 2020, 09:11:56 PM
we need dr aqua to come out of retirement....he can do 1/2 company before the pm run... ;D ;D ;D ;D
LOL ... he can't rinse out those cups to re-use fast enough!
I am going to add my two cents as well, if you actually look at your medical as far as DMV is concerned it is good for 2 years not one. Maybe and again just maybe they are going to extend your expiring medical to the actual date that's on your certificate. It's the DOE and Pioneer that require it once a year not the DMV. Food for thought everyone.
Quote from: Hammer2161 on July 30, 2020, 09:19:56 PM
I am going to add my two cents as well, if you actually look at your medical as far as DMV is concerned it is good for 2 years not one. Maybe and again just maybe they are going to extend your expiring medical to the actual date that's on your certificate. It's the DOE and Pioneer that require it once a year not the DMV. Food for thought everyone.
You are partially correct, sir. Every 2 years for 19-A (unless certain medical conditions) but yearly for school bus drivers. This is a NYS Education Department requirement as well as DOE.
And your correct as well it is basically like splitting hairs. We will see what things they let slide for the immediate future because we all know it's going to be impossible for us to get everything done if they wait much longer to give us a definitive start date. It's funny how they turn the other cheek when it benefits them.
As far as I can tell your license requirements are your problem. Maintaining your driving status is not the company's responsibility. They don't pay our license fees or medical fees. If we don't get back to work, your cdl license can help with work elsewhere. The only thing from the unions position is they probably don't want to reimburse you for the medical. I just did my medical. Would you rather wait and try to get it done with thousands of other drivers in September?
Quote from: Buzz on July 30, 2020, 09:15:48 PM
Quote from: yabba on July 30, 2020, 09:11:56 PM
we need dr aqua to come out of retirement....he can do 1/2 company before the pm run... ;D ;D ;D ;D
LOL ... he can't rinse out those cups to re-use fast enough!
you hit the lotto if you got a rinsed one... :snicker: :snicker: :snicker:
Quote from: rc1790 on July 30, 2020, 09:43:25 PM
As far as I can tell your license requirements are your problem. Maintaining your driving status is not the company's responsibility. They don't pay our license fees or medical fees. If we don't get back to work, your cdl license can help with work elsewhere. The only thing from the unions position is they probably don't want to reimburse you for the medical. I just did my medical. Would you rather wait and try to get it done with thousands of other drivers in September?
That's fine, but some people may not have the money to lay out at this time. Just no one should feel intimidated by the company because they were sent the notice, that's all.
Buzz, there are doctors that take your insurance for the medical. Co pay at most. If people wait until we go back to work, they still wouldn't have a paycheck. I didn't find the medical papers intimidating.A reminder at most. I'd rather have peace of mind. It's a matter of keeping your cdl in order. I don't think drivers who do not have medicals can drive. It's a federal law not the city or the companies.
Quote from: rc1790 on July 30, 2020, 11:52:59 PM
Buzz, there are doctors that take your insurance for the medical. Co pay at most. If people wait until we go back to work, they still wouldn't have a paycheck. I didn't find the medical papers intimidating.A reminder at most. I'd rather have peace of mind. It's a matter of keeping your cdl in order. I don't think drivers who do not have medicals can drive. It's a federal law not the city or the companies.
Glad it worked out for you that way. It may not for everybody depending on the coverage. Understand what you're saying about the CDL of course, and that is good for 2 years so it depends on when your 2 years are up also.