Very confusing predicament!, so here we are with the bus chart stating we only take upwards of 10 students. But if there are other students at other stops we have to take them, which would make the bus overcrowded. Now what about in the afternoon, many of the IS Buses already have sometimes over 40 kids, some 45 or 50. Now if half of those kids get on the bus in the afternoon, is that Safe distancing? Is that looking out for the safety of the children? All I've been hearing until now is the board of Ed will not put the children at risk! Really ? Cluster Fuck !
What about our safety?
Quote from: OMG on September 14, 2020, 09:18:22 PM
Very confusing predicament!, so here we are with the bus chart stating we only take upwards of 10 students. But if there are other students at other stops we have to take them, which would make the bus overcrowded. Now what about in the afternoon, many of the IS Buses already have sometimes over 40 kids, some 45 or 50. Now if half of those kids get on the bus in the afternoon, is that Safe distancing? Is that looking out for the safety of the children? All I've been hearing until now is the board of Ed will not put the children at risk! Really ? Cluster Fuck !
I asked Owen and he pretty much shunned me when I said what do we do if we have 24 kids that we pick up but can't space out
Quote from: sbdriver1 on September 14, 2020, 11:13:00 PM
What about our safety?
1) is anyone stopping at dead stops that they know are 1000000 percent dead on their run?
2) nothing was mentioned about OUR safety... if we need to wear a mask/shield? Nothing was mentioned about us cleaning/spraying down the bus after the AM and PM
3) what do we do if we run out of room the space how does the seating work then?
It's absolute fucking lunacy. They're basically telling you, "Social distancing is required, unless you have more than 10 kids. In that case, fuck it."
Just un-fucking-believable!!
Well they better give us an answer before Monday but I'm taking my ten and shut the door
Quote from: Buzz on September 15, 2020, 12:16:03 AM
It's absolute fucking lunacy. They're basically telling you, "Social distancing is required, unless you have more than 10 kids. In that case, fuck it."
Just un-fucking-believable!!
I guess at that point I would just say when you're passed ten tell them to sit next to someone that's at their stop but not on top of each other
Buzz can you check with Ernie over the amount of students allowed on the bus. Ernie was talking to a few drivers in the drivers room concerning this and stated NOT to take over 10 students. He said that he was going to put out something tonight to that effect. Can you check on that? Thanks!
Quote from: hideout on September 15, 2020, 12:38:31 AM
Buzz can you check with Ernie over the amount of students allowed on the bus. Ernie was talking to a few drivers in the drivers room concerning this and stated NOT to take over 10 students. He said that he was going to put out something tonight to that effect. Can you check on that? Thanks!
I know. He hasn't done that yet, but says he will get to it before the night is out.
Quote from: WigWag16 on September 15, 2020, 12:32:41 AM
I guess at that point I would just say when you're passed ten tell them to sit next to someone that's at their stop but not on top of each other
Probably better to first put kids in rows that have nobody in them before having them sit together.
What if I'm at 10, and still have five stops left to go? Now I kind of understand the teachers, they have a point. What about our safety, they have no idea what they are doing.
Quote from: hideout on September 15, 2020, 12:38:31 AM
Buzz can you check with Ernie over the amount of students allowed on the bus. Ernie was talking to a few drivers in the drivers room concerning this and stated NOT to take over 10 students. He said that he was going to put out something tonight to that effect. Can you check on that? Thanks!
I did. He's going to hold off on putting anything out pending the results of conversations between companies, OPT, the union and their lawyers. Let you know what comes of it.
Quote from: OMG on September 15, 2020, 01:20:40 AM
What if I'm at 10, and still have five stops left to go? Now I kind of understand the teachers, they have a point. What about our safety, they have no idea what they are doing.
And it's not only our safety. What about the other kids on the bus whose parents assume are being socially distanced?
I have kids on my bus that are going the full five days a week. I thought it was remote learning and Hybrid. I guess not for these kids.
Quote from: sbdriver1 on September 15, 2020, 01:53:49 AM
I have kids on my bus that are going the full five days a week. I thought it was remote learning and Hybrid. I guess not for these kids.
You don't know that yet
Quote from: sbdriver1 on September 15, 2020, 01:53:49 AM
I have kids on my bus that are going the full five days a week. I thought it was remote learning and Hybrid. I guess not for these kids.
Is this a non-public school?
Quote from: faceit on September 15, 2020, 02:25:33 AM
Quote from: sbdriver1 on September 15, 2020, 01:53:49 AM
I have kids on my bus that are going the full five days a week. I thought it was remote learning and Hybrid. I guess not for these kids.
You don't know that yet
He might. From what I've heard, the lower grades in catholic schools are going 5 days. (Those who did not opt for remote.)
Everyone is very eager to get back to work. But how in the world do we go to a Covid 19 training session and not one word is said on any steps taken to keep the drivers safe. Does the company care at all for any of us or is it all about the money? And what about all the safety recommendations that the union put forth a few months back? It is a very sad and pathetic time that we live in. Don't we care about each other as human beings. Again not one single word on what is being done for any drivers safety.
Quote from: hideout on September 15, 2020, 02:44:00 AM
Everyone is very eager to get back to work. But how in the world do we go to a Covid 19 training session and not one word is said on any steps taken to keep the drivers safe. Does the company care at all for any of us or is it all about the money? And what about all the safety recommendations that the union put forth a few months back? It is a very sad and pathetic time that we live in. Don't we care about each other as human beings. Again not one single word on what is being done for any drivers safety.
I said It a few days ago it's going to be masks for the kids. It was said today the kids get mask, we get hand sanitizer lol so we have to provide our own masks, wipes, sprays, gloves I assume. There was no mention of us spraying the bus down after runs like we
Did in March. Also the paper says mask to face covering so if that's the case
I'm wearing a face shield and not a mask
I had talked to all the parents and thats what they told me
And what is the school's obligation when loading the kids at dismissal? I saw 3 aides today and they were told nothing about how many kids can go on a bus.
I think we are up to 53 teachers citywide that have already tested positive for Covid 19. I further understand that there was no mandatory testing before they went back into the schools. How could this be? Wouldn't testing before going back be just common sense? Am I missing something here?
Unfortunately between the lack of actual guidance and or PPE supples and cleaning supplies this is setting up to be a total shit show.
I know at the refresher we were told that all buses were being deep cleaned and anything left on the bus would be thrown away. Well I got in my van today and it was a total disaster. Evidently an animal got on the bus there was stuff everywhere. It was obvious they did absolutely nothing.
They are setting this whole startup to FAIL !!!!
Quote from: Hammer2161 on September 15, 2020, 03:57:20 AM
Unfortunately between the lack of actual guidance and or PPE supples and cleaning supplies this is setting up to be a total shit show.
I know at the refresher we were told that all buses were being deep cleaned and anything left on the bus would be thrown away. Well I got in my van today and it was a total disaster. Evidently an animal got on the bus there was stuff everywhere. It was obvious they did absolutely nothing.
They are setting this whole startup to FAIL !!!!
My seats had webs, button console was dirty. Didn't
Looked like it was hosed down at all MINUS the fact the turn signals didn't blink on the outside with two clip lights out as well. I was shocked all my stuff was there. At the end of the day it's shaping up to just look after yourself, wear a mask, wear a shield, wipe your wheel and console down and that's it
What I don't like is that today no one is held accountable for anything, except the drivers, rusted bumper, not enough band aids, ect. If it wasn't so ridicules it would be funny. But who is held responsible for keeping us safe, watching out for are well being, being treated with respect. Are the buses going to be electrostatic cleaned each night as the BOE said would be done. Who will check on this. Who will enforce this. As a driver we are held to the most petty of rules while the rest of the system just isn't. None of these safety rules will be enforced except if a driver is involved.
So then I guess with all this confusion and lack of guidance and Pioneers failure to clean our buses as we were told they would. Along with what it appears will be a lack of PPE supplies and cleaning supplies what are we going to do as drivers.
Are we just going to accept it and say it's on us. Or are we going to the union on a whole and asking what the fuck is going on. I as m sorry but it appears the further down the line we are in this return to school process the less concern there is for our safety.
This for sure is a cluster fuck !!!!
Quote from: Hammer2161 on September 15, 2020, 12:35:45 PM
Are we just going to accept it and say it's on us. Or are we going to the union on a whole and asking what the fuck is going on. I as m sorry but it appears the further down the line we are in this return to school process the less concern there is for our safety.
I'm thinking this: What option would the union have? I don't see that it would be any different than the teachers' union, a strike vote.
#1) It would be impossible to assemble anyplace under the current conditions to have a meeting to take a vote. I guess mail in ballots would be an option, but that would take weeks to happen.
#2) I think it would be a futile effort. After not working for 6 months, I doubt that even 20% of the membership would vote in favor.
Staten Island, with a large percentage of retired city workers with pensions and benefits, is an exception to the rest of the membership. For most of the rest of the city, THIS is their job and only source of income. They know they wouldn't even get unemployment for at least 2 weeks. (I believe it used to be 8 weeks, but that changed.) A strike right now would never happen. JMHO
Basically, we're fucked.
I don't know if it will help, but this might be an option:
https://labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/coronavirus-complaints.shtm
Its just gonna be hand sanitizer and a mask done bring your own lysol. Im going to work! No choice.
I am not asking anyone to strike or even not to go to work.
But the truth of the matter is that nothing anyone has even remotely spoken about or promised has happened. We all attended the same basic refresher course and we were told that all buses would be cleaned and sanitized. I am hearing from many drivers that not only was nothing to their buses the buses are in worse shape then when we left on March 13th.
I guess asking for some type of respect is just PLAIN ASKING TO MUCH !!!!
Good Luck Everyone and May God Keep Us All Safe
we could not even get fuel today....what a laugh...monday is not going to be bad enough and now buses on empty....
Theyll probably fuel buses the rest of this week. Lets be positive
So today's COVID class was" drivers are on there own "
So the office is Fort Knox
The Shop ,don't even think about It ( as Owen stated the shop has a right to work in a safe environment and He will make sure of it !
But to many kids on the bus ( the paper says you must pick them up ) cricket cricket cricket Ahhhh safety If this doesn't show you what they think of you I don't know what will !
LMAO, my sentiments exactly. Walk through the yard without a mask, hearing! Walking to the office, hearing! Step foot in the shop, hearing! Just make sure your windows are open, hand out a mask, here's some hand sanitizer, then shut the fuck up! When some of us voiced our concerns about our safety within the last month or so on this website, all I heard was that the Board of Education will not put the children or drivers or escorts at risk, well here we are. We need some clarity before Monday. These last couple of days were truly a cluster fuck!
Quote from: LMAO on September 15, 2020, 07:39:25 PM
So today's COVID class was" drivers are on there own "
So the office is Fort Knox
The Shop ,don't even think about It ( as Owen stated the shop has a right to work in a safe environment and He will make sure of it !
But to many kids on the bus ( the paper says you must pick them up ) cricket cricket cricket Ahhhh safety If this doesn't show you what they think of you I don't know what will !
Excellent points ... for a change. ;D ;D ;D
As I said earlier and possibly in another post we need to decide what it is we will and will not tolerate. The last two days were most certainly a cluster fuck. Everyone deserves to be safe but us. I was told we are not even allowed in the shop stewards room. This is an utter fucking joke. Protect everyone but the drivers and matrons.
I for one am not going to buy cleaning supplies to keep everyone else that rides my bus safe. I will keep my area and my matrons area sanitized and clean and I will sweep out the bus as usual but I am not sanitizing the entire bus twice a day on my money. They failed to even attempt to clean my van and I want you to know it was just recently inspected by dot. I truly believe the don't give two shits about us at this point.
Buzz you say we are basically screwed. But what is are union response to the lack of safety protocol? What happened to the union's safety proposal that Michael put out a few months back? There has to be some kind of response other than were fuc.... Can something legally be done, some city,state, fed. agency pertaining to workers safety,ect. Even the MTA had Plexiglas installed on their buses, something. Can the union find out what's up with the lack of clarity with the BOE indicating a seating diagram with only 10 students then indicating elsewhere that any student with a mask must be allowed on the bus. We need answers don't we deserve at least that much or are we some kind of robots and shouldn't question anything. It's just not fair on any level.
https://www.atu.org/coronavirusresources/STRAT_COVIDRighttoRefuse.pdf
https://labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/coronavirus-complaints.shtm
Hideout, both of those links were posted by Buzz in the 1181 Matters section of this thread. They explain our rights to refuse work both from a letter from ATU and the DOL.
As I stated there I will here, we need to decide how loud we scream. For sure we will win this battle but I am not sure we would win the war.
. 10 single use china mask.... can we use them or are we on our own... small bottle of hand sanitizer... and we signed for them like they were gold..
Even our union office are social distancing, they are rotating working from home and working in the office, and that's how it should be, safe! Us, Masks from China, hand sanitizer, and not a real plan on getting the kids to and from school.
Listen this is going to be not accepted here. But the last 2 days how did 1181 address us on these covid classes
I really don't think they have the answers, just like Owen said when he read that paper to us. But they are the only ones who can give us answers because they are the only ones who can look into this and get us a clear-cut answer to these contradicting Circumstances. But honestly, This should have been decided upon long ago. Only 10 students, but take anyone with a mask. Ridiculous
From what I gathered today and yesterday....
1) we aren't responsible for any cleaning on the bus, the mechanics do that.
2) the ten masks for the students will likely be gone by the time you get to your third stop...what do you do if you have no mask to provide because the company can only afford to give us ten at the moment
3) NO SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR OUR HEALTH HAS BEEN TOLD TO US
4) I guess there are no thermometer checks for staff or students
5) NOBODY went into any detail or what happens to us should a student test positive or staff member test positive?
6) only social distance it you have 10 or less...anything more than ten socially distancing goes out the window
At the end of the day the important issues still haven't been addressed
Quote from: WigWag16 on September 15, 2020, 10:45:19 PM
From what I gathered today and yesterday....
1) we aren't responsible for any cleaning on the bus, the mechanics do that.
2) the ten masks for the students will likely be gone by the time you get to your third stop...what do you do if you have no mask to provide because the company can only afford to give us ten at the moment
3) NO SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR OUR HEALTH HAS BEEN TOLD TO US
4) I guess there are no thermometer checks for staff or students
5) NOBODY went into any detail or what happens to us should a student test positive or staff member test positive?
6) only social distance it you have 10 or less...anything more than ten socially distancing goes out the window
At the end of the day the important issues still haven't been addressed
if we contact covid or are exposed and forced into quarantine... are we paid..100% or 85% or 0...
I'm going in Monday and doing exactly what I was told. I understand everyone's frustration and concerns but all we are doing on this site and other sites is venting. We are asking questions and looking for answers from each other instead of asking Michael, Ernie, Andy or Owen. At the end of my 20 minute class today and yesterday Owen asked if anyone had questions and I was the only one that asked him a question. Ernie and Andy were there yesterday and Andy was there again today (possibly Ernie also), how many of us asked them questions? Apparently not many because we're on this site asking Buzz or asking each other.
I asked questions today, and got a lot of this.🤷🏼
Many drivers and matrons have asked questions and most questions went unanswered.
Both Pioneer and 1181 can deflect questions better then any goalie I have ever seen.
Wether they lack the information or the answers to the questions we have I would much rather prefer they just be honest with us.
I asked and got 💩 lol....it's goin to get to the point where you just have to look out for yourself and use common sense
Quote from: Hammer2161 on September 15, 2020, 11:20:51 PM
Many drivers and matrons have asked questions and most questions went unanswered.
Both Pioneer and 1181 can deflect questions better then any goalie I have ever seen.
Wether they lack the information or the answers to the questions we have I would much rather prefer they just be honest with us.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
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.
Quote from: hideout on September 15, 2020, 08:51:03 PM
Buzz you say we are basically screwed. But what is are union response to the lack of safety protocol? What happened to the union's safety proposal that Michael put out a few months back? There has to be some kind of response other than were fuc.... Can something legally be done, some city,state, fed. agency pertaining to workers safety,ect. Even the MTA had Plexiglas installed on their buses, something. Can the union find out what's up with the lack of clarity with the BOE indicating a seating diagram with only 10 students then indicating elsewhere that any student with a mask must be allowed on the bus. We need answers don't we deserve at least that much or are we some kind of robots and shouldn't question anything. It's just not fair on any level.
Both the company and the union are looking for the same answers you and we all are. They are not getting them from OPT.
As far as the safety proposals, they were just that ... proposals. I guess we got OPT's answer today ... sanitizer and cheap masks, with gloves to come. What can the union do? The same as the UFT ... threaten to go on strike? With as long as we've been out work, I doubt 20% would vote in favor of it.
I would encourage everyone to file a complaint with the Dept. of Labor. https://labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/coronavirus-complaints.shtm
Also, it might help to send an email to the NYS Education Dept. and let them know that the DOE is not abiding by safety protocols. They have a dedicated email for virus issues ... COVID19@nysed.gov
I would think we would have to get back to work before any complaints can be made. Right now it is hypothetical. As of now we are back to work with no actual work. We cannot continue to be left in limbo. We are prepared and willing to work. If private schools are back and mandated to have buses, we should fight along side them and get the work.
Quote from: Hammer2161 on September 15, 2020, 11:20:51 PM
Many drivers and matrons have asked questions and most questions went unanswered.
Both Pioneer and 1181 can deflect questions better then any goalie I have ever seen.
Wether they lack the information or the answers to the questions we have I would much rather prefer they just be honest with us.
They're telling you they aren't getting answers from OPT. How is that dishonest?
Buzz, you have been around longer than I have and if you believe that that is the answer they are giving to everyone fair enough. But I beg to differ on that very issue. I am not going to sit here and name names but we all know that when certain people are approached it doesn't always go well.
Let's assume they know nothing for a moment, then why hand out routes with seating guidance on the back to only then tell us you have to take everyone that shows up with a mask. If that's not direct guidance from OPT then tell us nothing and wait for OPT to give us proper guidance.
Quote from: Hammer2161 on September 16, 2020, 01:54:20 AM
Let's assume they know nothing for a moment, then why hand out routes with seating guidance on the back to only then tell us you have to take everyone that shows up with a mask. If that's not direct guidance from OPT then tell us nothing and wait for OPT to give us proper guidance.
But I'm trying to tell you ... that IS direct guidance from OPT and it makes no sense. Owen even commented on it during the "training" class. He didn't make that up ... it was from OPT. It's self-contradictory and the company and the union know it. What can they do if OPT doesn't give them answers?
The real answer is: OPT has no fucking plan for busing whatsoever and the right hand of the DOE doesn't know what the left hand is doing.
Well at least we agree on that " OPT HAS NO FUCKING PLAN AT ALL ".