The following is my opinion and my opinion only. I do not represent the Union or Management. I hear members come over the radio and say things like "I had a minor accident" or "There's no children on the bus" or "There's no damage to the bus." Usually if not 100% of the time the office will say "Call the office." So if unfortunately you are involved in any kind of accident unless it is an emergency or unless for some reason you want others besides the office to hear you instead of going over the radio just stay where you are and call the office. The reason I say this is because sometimes the office will instruct you differently over the phone which may save you complications in the future. Once you go over the air for the most part the office's hands are tied in what they can instruct you do to. As long as you stay put and use the landline instead of the radio, you are not doing anything wrong. Besides like I said they are going to tell you to call the office anyway.

If it happens today which I doubt due to the weather. Good Luck to John Eadicicco in the Bowling Tournament.

Does anyone know if Christmas Week is or is not one of the "39 Guaranteed Weeks?"

Merry Christmas to All

I've asked this question before and I have to ask it again until I get the answer that I think is 100% correct. This morning a driver calls in and says at his 2nd stop his Reds & Yellows are not working. What should I do, I have 5 more stops before the school? After a couple of radio transmissions with the dispatcher and a phone call to the shop he is told to finish his AM run and bring the bus back. So apparently as far as the office goes it is okay to pick up and drop off children without your Reds working sometimes but on other occasions it's not. Like when they say what is your location we're going to send you a bus. Last year I asked Ernie about this and he told me to do what the office says. I would have to assume just as it is State Law to not pass a School Bus with flashing reds that there is probably some BOE, OPT, STATE, CITY or Company law or rule that says a School Bus Driver has to use his Reds. This morning during that driver's last 5 Stops if a child got hit and injured or even worse by a car then what happens? Besides the question, Is the driver liable more importantly what do we tell the parents and the community? And if it was worse we can never bring that child back! So my question is Can I face disciplinary  actions for not driving the bus with the Reds not working even if I am told to by the Office?

Does anyone know of a root canal specialist on Staten Island that takes 1181 coverage. If so if appreciate his/her name & #. Thanks

What are the chances that the New York Legislature even looks at the EPP this coming session? Front page SI Advance today states that this coming session is only 57 days. At $80,000 a year and the contractors think we're overpaid!

Happy 4th of July to all the Piineer & 1181 families. God Bless America!

Yesterday one of our Pioneer Drivers on SI & an 18 year member of 1181 lost her husband to a long time illness. Any assistance would be deeply appreciated. You can make a  contribution in either Drivers Room. Thank You for your anticipated assistance. God Bless her & her family and all of the 1181 family.

Yesterday I witnessed a shape driver involved in a minor incident. It was something that was definitely the driver's fault but in all probability it was something that could have been avoided if it wasn't for the actions & attitude of "seasoned" driver just seconds before. I saw that the shape driver was upset so I went over to make sure he/she was okay. This is a shape that has been here for a year now. Someone that I have talked to in the past, have seen either in the driver's room or out in the field with. Someone that I would say is a nice person & a concientuos worker. This morning I see that shape walking in the yard and I go over and ask "Are you feeling better today?" The driver immediately broke down in tears. When I asked what was wrong the response was that the stress was to much. I asked what stress. The answer was (and I'm para-phrasing here) the stress of the attitudes of SOME of the fellow workers and SOME of management. Also (even though being thankful for work everyday) the stress of wanting to do your job right but being handed a different route everyday and the majority of times of either having no L/R sheet or one that is not legible or one that is not correct. When we were on Strike or now when we are in negotiations ALL of us stand tall about the Professionalism of 1181 workers. Well let's show it!! Believe me I am far from perfect but I strive for it everyday in my personal life and at my job. The main thing about ANY Union starts with its members being GOOD, NICE people to everyone that crosses your path especially to your fellow Brothers & Sisters. Then in every Union especially in ours comes Safety. When humans are under stress obviously they don't think and/or react efficiently. It's a simple thing be nice to people and make sure the office and your bus has a legible, updated L/R sheet. Those 2 little things could just possible save a child's life someday!

Has Neil officially signed with the City yet? If not when? If yes have we started negotiations yet?

Congratulations to Luz (a driver at Pioneer). Her actions helped to save a child's life on her bus yesterday. Something I'm sure all 1181 drivers are proud of! It just goes to show how important it is to do our job correctly!

With everything we've gone through in the last two years I can't believe that some members just don't give a shit. All they want to do is be negative. With the exception of Reliant every yard has a 3 year extension with an EPP. As far as I'm concerned that means we have some leverage to bargain with as long as we stick together with our requests Local wide and more specifically within each Property. Yet today at Pioneer there were SOME members filling out the Proposal Sheets and at the same time saying its a waste of time. Then there were other members filling out the sheets incorrectly such as just checking everything instead of numbering them 1 through 3. If Ernie & the EB doesn't know what we the majority want the most then how do they know what to negotiate for. Then when a contract is up for ratification the same people will complain. Also on the Proposal Sheets where it asked for comments hardly anyone was writing anything. SUCH AS WE WANT BACK WHAT WE GAVE UP!! Remember in the amendment to the last contract when we agreed to give up what we did it stated that if Neil gets an extension he would sit down and negotiate. Come on people this is not only the beginning of the negotiations but it's the slimplest part. When you go in Tuesday get a Proposal Sheet and fill it out correctly and make a comment. If you already filled one out then fill another one out. In 6 years since I reached top pay not only have I NOT gotten a raise but I've had money taken away from me. Also I went from paying nothing into medical to paying a little then a little more. Besides paying more & more into the Medical the co pays & prescriptions have gone up. In all this time that we keep losing things guess what Neil keeps gaining. Do you see how he negotiates? He was being offered 2 years without even having to negotiate yet he stood strong and got the 3 years he wanted. Now it's our turn. Grab another Proposal Sheet. Take your time fill it out and let's start this negotiation out the right way. Bottom line is keep the faith, remain United amongst ourselves & stand behind our representation and make use of any advantage we have. Neil keeps saying that he has concern for us (and I hope that's true) but whether he does or not he is definitely a business man with a family. Well let's show him that we also have families and we mean business! God Bless all the Members of 1181 as well as Neil & his family but most of all this weekend God Bless all the Members of our Military deceased & living!

I've been working here 12 years and throughout that time there has been many changes. Unfortunately all of them bad for the worker but today I experienced a change that I never thought I would see. At 11:00am I walked into the Drivers Room and there was NO CARD GAME. Not even a couple of guys standing around waiting for a game. It just makes me wonder. Anything is possible. Maybe we'll get a raise and get back what we lost in the last contract.

When it comes to a couple (and I stress the word couple) of mechanics at Pioneer SI sometimes I wish I was a different person with different morals. If so I would find then outside of work and teach them some manners. Fortunately for me & them I am not that type of person. What I'm talking about is when you pull your bus up to the shop (sometimes under the directions of the office) or into the yard anywhere and a mechanic without saying a word or asking you nicely starts screaming at you at the top of his lungs like your his dog that just pissed on his carpet. The best part is your 60 years old and he's 25. I guess respect your elders or respect your Union Brothers or just plain out being a nice person doesn't apply to SOME mechanics. For some reason at least to me it seems like Mechanics walk on water and Divers & Matrons walk on pins and needles. I think it's time that either Owen, Steve, Ernie or all three of them have a little talk with them. Maybe they need 2 refresher courses a year!

Rumor (I emphasize the word rumor) has it that those of us at Pioneer have nothing to worry about and that Neil will sign a contract to some type of extension before the end of June. Even if this rumor is not true why the second letter today?

It mind boggling that we can not have a Fuel Line & Bus Wash Line at the same time without having chaos!

Can anyone confirm with certainty. I hear that Mayor deBlasio has put out the remaining bids without the EPP. If true this is such a shame and apparently this guy is no better than Bloomberg. What happened to waiting for the State to make a decision?

I heard a RUMOR today that our next contract with Pioneer will be for ONE year only. Anyone hear anything at all. After all our present contract is coming to an end.