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.

The poster is not doing anything wrong ... entitled to his/her opinion, that's what it's all about here. Seems to have a misguided sense of brotherhood and the importance of the strength of unity. Running scared, but not necessarily a bad person.

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!!

Quote from: Goose623 on January 26, 2013, 06:02:52 AM
If you go on afl-CIO website there is a statement from union President Cordiello. He met with Bloomy on weds. Looks like the mayor wants everyone to sit down and make a deal.

Couldn't find it on the AFL-CIO website, but here is Michael's statement ... http://atu1181.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/important.pdf

But again, the mayor is blowing smoke up everybody's ass if the city is not at the meeting. This is not an issue that can be resolved between the union and contractors. Bloomy is the one who caused us to go on strike and he has to be part of the equation or we're getting nowhere.

The way I see it, contractors have to say to the mayor something like, "Look, extend the EPP for 'X' number of months/years to give us time to negotiate contracts that will enable us to submit lower, more competitive bids."

However that will happen will be for the local and coalition to duke out. As near as I can estimate ... and I admit it's not exact ... our salaries/benefits barely amount to 30% of Bloomy's 1.1 billion dollar transportation budget. (If the union does not know exactly what that percentage is, they should hire somebody to figure that out.) Where is the rest of the money going? Maybe the mayor should look at specialized services such as helicopters, ambulances, private nurses, etc. And somebody should tell him the people who provide those services are not 1181. We're not what's wrong with this picture.

Quote from: Rock Steady on January 26, 2013, 04:30:24 AM
... I myself have two small children, a massive mortgage,  and a very expensive wife, ...

Might want to start cutting your losses ... start with the latter ... LOL.

(Just kidding, bro.)

Quote from: driver on January 25, 2013, 06:50:05 PM
After reviewing all of this, It is back to the same which I said before... It is time to give back to protect our jobs.. Just think, The mayor will not be in office when the other runs are up in 2015. This will give us power and strength.. Just think to give back some in order to protect our jobs,, I think it is worth it.  Not to give back everything, just something, so we can have our jobs. If Reliant picked up the work, we go after him, because he is 1181.. It's all competitive bargaining,, The contractors want to get bigger, because they then have more power.  What are your thoughts on all this?? Let's not be selfish....

Dude, are you lost? We are not negotiation for a contract with the owners. The owners are not negotiating a contract with the city. This is solely about the city putting out bids without the EPP.

Guys were on strike for 13 weeks in '79 ... no pay, no benefits. Some had to take other jobs to go to after strike duty. They stuck together and stuck it out so people like you would have the job you're so afraid of losing. If they had your attitude, you would not be enjoying the pay and benefits you have now and probably not even be here. Would you be in any better position to not have a job 2 years from now if the mayor succeeds?

I believe the strike vote was unanimous. Did you vote against it? If not, get your balls about you, dig in and harden your resolve to support the action WE VOTED FOR.   

Quote from: Kramer on January 25, 2013, 05:36:05 PM
just saw in the Post. Talks are set for Monday between union & bus co.

But the sticky wicket is ... "The city will not have representatives in the talks."

Not holding out too much hope for any meaningful results.

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.)

Ernie's out, but he texted me that NO 1181 matrons worked.

Ernie was supposed to have an operation yesterday but it was postponed for 2 weeks due to illness. All I'm saying is, when he sees the question I'm sure he'll reply. I want to know too.

Ernie's been sick. He's not on the site 24-7. Give him a chance to answer.

(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

The shifts are now 3 hours. At Arthur Kill they're 7-10, 10-1 and 1-4. At Atlantic and Island Charter they're 5-8, 8-11, 11-2 and 2-5.

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!

Actually, as of tomorrow, they're going to be 3-hour shifts, so your 2-6 will be 1-4. Waiting for Andy to call me back with the details ... post them as soon as I can.