For those of you who are not on Pioneer's e-mail list, here's what we'll be talking about tomorrow ... http://1181drivers.com/PioneerLetter_2.7.13.pdf

A sixth grade girl who normally would have been on a yellow bus had her cell phone snatched from her hands as she got off a city bus yesterday. The thief fled the bus with the phone. This was in front of the 122 precinct where her mom works.

Maybe Bloomy will buy her a new one ... or maybe MetroCards provide coverage for such losses ...

FYI ... Probably best to take the ferry to Manhattan, then take Brooklyn bound R train one stop to Court St., B'klyn. Walk a couple of blocks to Cadman Plaza.

Return ... from City Hall take the R again to Whitehall Ferry Terminal.

Just a suggestion.

The Chancellor will be at Petrides on Wednesday to address special ed needs. Meeting at 6, sign-up for questions at 5:30.

In Ernie's absence, Andy, as our second-in-command, has excelled at spearheading Pioneer's strike effort for the past week. As if it weren't enough to direct, organize, and schedule personnel he's also had to put up with whiners and prevent a fist-fight amongst matrons. All this while making sure everybody was paid up for the pool. But he got it done in his usual low-keyed, unflappable manner.

Hats off to you, Andrew!

If you didn't get the call about the telephone town hall meeting tomorrow (Monday) with Larry Hanley and Michael Cordiello, call in at 7:00 p.m. Monday to join in. The number is 855-269-4484.

Poll is in the middle of the article ... http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/poll_whos_right_in_nyc_school.html

(So far only 58% blame Bloomy)

Click link below to see the numbers picked for the pools ...

http://1181drivers.com/SuperBowlBoxNumbers.pdf

(Adjust size to 100% with the controls at the top of the pdf viewer.)

Must see this video by a former hired union-buster. This guy affirms at the very end what I have said all along. This is not as much about saving money as it is about control ... and that's what Bloomy is obsessed with.

http://www.edwize.org/the-techniques-of-union-busting

I understand and experience the same fear, frustration and uncertainty as most of you. But understand that we must stand united and stand strong or we will have defeated ourselves. Let's not try to second guess our leaders. They know all too well that they have the fate of 8,000 people and their families in their hands and the stress and pressure of our situation is weighing on them heavily during the 12 to 15 hours per day they have been putting in during the strike.

Michael is co-strategizing every aspect of the strike with Larry Hanley. There is no better negotiator than Larry. They are collaborating with the AFL-CIO as well as the Central Labor Council. Michael conducted a telephone "town-hall" meeting with parents in Brooklyn last night, 94% of whom were in favor of us. (Overall surveys show that 75% of parents support us.)

At The Zoo - The mayor will be at the zoo Saturday for Ground Hog Day. Drivers, matrons and parents will be there demonstrating from 6:00 in the morning. The mayor is due at 7:00. Anybody is welcome to participate ... be at the zoo at 6.

Also on Saturday - One or 2 busloads of school bus drivers from Boston will be at Pioneer in the Bronx and Reliant at 10 a.m. From there they will meet up with the parent group "PIST" and form a caravan around Gracie Mansion between 12 and 2.

There will be more demonstrations and news conferences in the near future which have not been firmed up yet. Every day more and more parents, politicians and unions are coming forward with their support. Our union leaders are working tirelessly to make these things happen and are making every attempt to have us back to work in February. Let's back them and not undermine their efforts, and above all stand united and stand strong!

I know others interviewed him, but could only find a video on WPIX ...

Our local's lawyer interviewed on WBAI 99.5 FM "Building Bridges" radio, followed by Jimmy Hedge. Fast forward to 1:00 to get past the introductory music.

http://ia801609.us.archive.org/24/items/BuildingBridgesNycMayorBloombergProvokesSchoolBusStrike/schoolbusntl3.mp3

As I understood the instructions after filing a claim last week, we are to certify benefits every week ... just a reminder to do it Sunday.

Andrew says you have to get your money in today or else the pool is off. Somebody will be there to collect money all three shifts ... either Andy, Bob Hearn, or Anthony Francese. It's now or never!!

The link to 1181's site is always on the bottom of the homepage, but here's a direct link to sign up for the newsletter ... http://s393143478.onlinehome.us/newsletter/

(Check your spam folder if you don't get a confirmation link e-mail within a few seconds.)

(A couple of people brought this article to my attention ...)

Another good article in the Daily News by Juan Gonzalez ... http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/bus-strike-lessons-found-boston-article-1.1245442

So I guess it's every shift for themselves with the firewood, huh? This morning's 6 a.m. guys would like to thank yesterday's 2 - 6 p.m. shift for leaving not so much as a toothpick to burn on an 11-degree morning!

Well, I know councilman Charlie Barron was on a picket in Brooklyn with us, but why don't we hear from any of our other elected representatives regarding our plight? Afraid to stand up to the mayor? Where do they stand on the safety of the children of people who voted for them? Where do they stand on job protection for people who voted for them? Will any of them make an appearance and walk with us for a while?

Doesn't matter what district you're in ... I put this info together to make it easy to contact them all:

CITY COUNCIL
Vincent Ignizio
718-984-5151
vignizio@council.nyc.gov

James Oddo
718-980-1017
joddo@council.nyc.gov

Deborah Rose
718-556-7370
DROSE@Council.nyc.gov

STATE SENATE
Andrew Lanza
718 984-4073
lanza@senate.state.ny.us

Diane Savino
718 727-9406
savino@senate.state.ny.us

STATE ASSEMBLY
Nicole Malliotakis
718-987-0197
NYSAssembly60@gmail.com

Matthew Titone
718-442-9932
TitoneM@assembly.state.ny.us

Joseph Borelli
718-967-5194
BorelliJ@assembly.state.ny.us

Michael Cusick
718-370-1384
cusickm@assembly.state.ny.us

Takes a second ... just answer "yes" or "no" ....


http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/quickquestion/2007/november/popup5895.htm