I know amongst ourselves we all have made jokes about Aquafredda over the years but I feel we should give him a little courtesy on the Internet. It seems like now that there is another Doc in town it's alright to throw Aquafredda under the bus. Let's not forget if not for him a lot of us would not be driving a bus.

Thanks Buzz
I wasn't referring to a credit card. I was wondering if Mani was $55 and U get reimbursed $40 from the Union or if he takes your BC/BS and you pay a copayment (if so is that copayment $15 as last year or $25 this year)?

Any help?
Has anyone used Dr. Mani recently (in the last month since our BC/BS has changed). If so what does he charge and how do you pay? Also for those who have used Dr. Aquafredda in the past and this time used Dr. Mani which one would you recommend or does it really make a difference or not?

Has anyone used Dr. Mani recently (in the last month since our BC/BS has changed). If so what does he charge and how do you pay? Also for those who have used Dr. Aquafredda in the past and this time used Dr. Mani which one would you recommend or does it really make a difference or not?

worker341
I agree with you 100% but unfortunately Neil could give two shits about Owen's opinion with regards to our wages. I'd have to assume that if Neil could find someone as capable & competent as Owen for less money that Owen is making that Owen would be out of a job!!!

Thank You Owen. Your stance in backing this driver is appreciated!

1union
I put posts and make comments on this site in a respectful and from a concerned point of view for myself, my family and all of my Union Brothers & Sisters and their families INCLUDING YOURS!!! Even though at times I may disagree with other members I NEVER put them down. I respect their opinion just as I wish they respect mine. So two last comments on this subject. First, I'm still waiting for the list of specific things the Ernie and/or Andy have done to hurt and/or not help a Member at Pioneer. Secondly, I don't appreciate you saying FU to me and calling me a clown. If you read my post I stated that I WAS INTERESTED IN YOUR COMMENTS but because of your grammar sometimes I couldn't understand your exact point. In my opinion unfortunately for all Members including yourself your remarks are uncalled for and just shows that maybe you shouldn't be a Union Member. Maybe you should have a job that the only person you have to be concerned about is yourself. Lastly, stop asking Buzz to take you off this site. JUST DO IT YOURSELF!!!

1union
It's almost 8:00am and your grammar & spelling is still in  need of some help. I say that kiddingly but serious at the same time because obviously I get the gist of your posts but with some of your statements it is a little difficult to understand exactly what you are saying. And I as I'm sure others are interested. Having said that I have to (some what) agree with you with regards to Members in the office. Although I really don't know if that is as much as a negative as you say or possibly a positive or just a plain necessity? With a shop of over 400 members the Steward and his Asst.(s) need a place to conduct business. Obviously there is no where else except in the office with access to a phone, computer, a desk, file cabinets, etc... Also at Pioneer the field trips are conducted unlike that of any other shop. That in itself probably takes Ernie's staff 3 to 4 hrs a day 3 or 4 days a week. I believe you said you are here 20 or 30 yrs so I assume as a senior member you enjoy the benefit of not doing field trips because of their hard work. HAVE A VOTE maybe senior members would prefer for the office to do the trips instead. This way there is no such thing as a NO TRIP RUN and the days of the Senior Members playing cards, cutting their grass, shoveling their snow, working a 2nd job, etc. would be gone. Secondly as per an Oath that all Union Members take it is our responsibility to not only take care of & be respectful to all members and our families but to everyone for the better of ourselves & our community. That includes Neil, Owen and the office staff. It's called being a good person with good morals. Correct me if I'm wrong but don't you yourself agree that Marty was a nice guy. So I assume it was alright to be buddy buddy with him. Well that is the relationship that  we & our Reps have to try and regain. OBVIOUSLY WITHIN LIMITS!! Thirdly lets get to the subject of the exact relationship between Ernie and Owen. I don't know if occasionally they go out to dinner (which I hear & believe is true) but in the other hand I know for a fact (because I have been there) the times that Ernie has told Owen to go F himself. Just possibly having dinner with the guy and his wife may be a positive for us Members. Fourthly, maybe I misinterpated your post but talking negative about ANDY at least in my opinion is out of hand. Lastly, I don't always agree with Ernie on how he carries himself and the things he says & does. And when that happens I immediately confront him. First on a one to one and then if I feel the need to in front of our membership. That is how a Union works. This generalization of Ernie is a little drawn out now. I want someone to give me, Ernie and all the members at Pioneer specifics of when Ernie has not done right by a specific member or the entire membership at Pioneer in general. If someone can PLEASE DO and I'm sure 99 times out of 100 (no one is perfect) he will be able to explain himself. Until and/or unless another Member steps up that I believe can do a better job he will always have my vote!!

As always God Bless 1181

PS: I'm still waiting for some activity on this site with regards to the EPP and contacting the Mayor & Governor. I keep saying it but without the EPP the days of talking about anything else no matter if it's about a snow day, Ernie, your Super Bowl #'s, Michael, etc.., will all be gone!!

JUST EMAILED TWO MORE LETTERS TO THE GOVERNOR & MAYOR WITH REGARDS TO OUR STRUGGLES AND THE EPP!!!! Have a nice weekend!!!!

Buzz
I'd like to help Eurecin out but I don't know how. I have a copy of all 5 SB Pools but I don't know how to post them on this site from my photos on my iPhone. Is it possible?

PS: I wonder what the weather is gonna be or if Ernie & Owen are going out together for dinner tonight or if IS 75 is open or how much do we get for a snow day?

It's a shame but apparently the only way I could draw up interest in the EPP
IS WHEN WE LOSE IT!!!

I assume the overwhelming majority of those who post on this site are members that work out of Pioneer on SI as I do. So I can't comprehend when I read all this negativity about our leadership both present and recent past whether or not they are good or bad. I say this because we the majority keep voting them back into office. We voted Michael and his entire slate into office then talk negative about them and then vote them back into office again. Eventhough it is a secret ballot vote I know for a fact the majority of Pioneer voted for Michael because at the SPECIAL UNION MEETING last month with regards to the DISPUTED ELECTION approximately 200 members (if not more) from Pioneer showed up and voted in favor of Michael. Not ONE of us from PIONEER stood up against him. Yet people will bad mouth him on this site. With regards to Ernie we all keep reelecting him sometimes unopposed yet we come on this site and talk about him breaking bread with management. I personally have voted for Michael & Ernie. With regards to Ernie being toclose to management I really don't agree with that but he may have motives behind that that work for the best for all of us. Regardless of how he goes about things I'd vote for him time & time again. Plain English if it wasn't for him our present contract (even with the give backs) would have been much worse! With regards to Michael I MAY have been wrong. What happens in the next couple of months with the EPP will be the tipping point with regards to Michael. Speaking of the EPP I in the past 3 weeks I posted 2 or 3 times about the EPP and writing & emailing the Mayor & Governor. I ONLY got ONE response to my posts! Members come on here and talk about our leadership whether good or bad but no one with the exception of John even mentions the EPP. Believe me unfortunately without the EPP being reinstated within the next couple of months either on the State or City level none of us will have to worry about who our leadership is. Write the Mayor, write the Governor and do it NOW!! Especially those of you who think Michael is useless because if you don't then you too are useless!
Well Wishes to All my Brothers & Sisters!

FYI  FOR THOSE WHO DON'T BELIEVE YOUR PERSONAL VOICE MAY NOT HELP

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MEDIA CENTER » NEWS ARTICLES » DC driver reveals poverty, poor conditions caused by paratransit privatization, brings Mayor to tears
JAN
14
DC DRIVER REVEALS POVERTY, POOR CONDITIONS CAUSED BY PARATRANSIT PRIVATIZATION, BRINGS MAYOR TO TEARS
Testimony Marks Turning Point in DC-Area Campaign
In a heart-wrenching and passionate testimony a Washington, DC, Metro Access paratransit operator gave new Washington, DC mayor Muriel Bowser and hundreds of DC residents and workers a first-hand look at the grim impact that transit outsourcing has on working families in the region.
Speaking on a January evening to a packed house at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Operator Karen Reed brought tears to Mayor Bowser's eyes as she described the financial struggle she endures as an employee of a private, for-profit company contracted by WMATA (DC's transit agency) to provide paratransit service. Reed was one of several speakers at a Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) forum on public services held for Mayor Bowser.
Attended by members of ATU Local 689, International President Larry Hanley, and the ATU General Executive Board, the emotional event marks the next phase of Local 689's campaign to fight outsourcing of transit services, to strengthen transit investment in local communities, and to unionize and raise the wages of area transit workers, who for far too long have been treated as second class citizens. Through their involvement with WIN, 689 has been building alliances with congregations, riders and other community and labor allies to broaden their support.       
"Karen's story is the story of thousands of workers in the DC area. It brought the whole room to tears, including Mayor Bowser," said ATU International President Larry Hanley.
The power and emotion of Reed's story hit home for many as she spoke about the importance of her connection with riders and the grim reality of the dangers she and her co-workers face every day.
'Disposable people'
"It would be a smoother ride for everybody if WMATA and First Transit would stop cutting corners and stop treating me and my fellow workers like disposable people," said Reed, who emphasized the importance of her job in transporting people with disabilities and seniors. "Employee turnover is through the roof and customer service suffers."
She was joined on stage by Barbara Mushette, one of her passengers, who praised Reed's dedication to the job and questioned the scheduling policies of First Transit and its treatment of workers and passengers alike.
Paid only $26,000 per year
Reed talked about the importance of her connection with riders and the accompanying dangers she and her co-workers face every day, from dangerous road conditions to robberies. Reed is dedicated to her work, but is paid only $26,000 per year (less than 30% of area median income), which qualifies her and her daughter for food stamps, housing assistance, and Medicaid. She and her daughter were homeless for three months last year. 
"You are going to pay me either way. In my public benefits check – or my paycheck," she explained in relating her need for public assistance to survive. "I enjoy working for a living.  Stop insulting me.  Pay me in just one check – MY PAY CHECK!"
Hanley said the new Mayor has an opportunity to stand with working Washingtonians, and ATU will work hard to get our message out across the city. "The mayor's actions in the weeks and months ahead will tell us if she really heard Karen. In the meantime, we're going to make sure that everyone in the Wilson Building hears what working families like Karen's are going through each and every day."

 
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Yabba
I'm happy to see someone respond about the EPP. I just hope others will follow us in writing to ALL our Officials especially the Mayor. It seems that many wait until the "Shit hits the fan" before they get motivated. Unfortunately this time around if we wait until the "Shit hits the fan" it will be to LATE. As you said "It can't hurt"!!