Well said Buzz
It's to bad you didn't bring it to the Union before today's letter "went out".

Today's hand out letter from the Union to the Parents was written very well. It was short, simple and to the point.
BUT.........
It asks for the Parent's support and understanding. Which is great. BUT in my opinion if you don't actually tell the parents how to voice their support then the letter is useless. We'd be lucky if one out of ten parents did something on their own.
At the end of the letter it should have stated to call or email ur council person, Congressperson or the Mayor's Office and ask them to help with the negotiations. Or give them the number to that Parent Organization or even to call Pioneer and ask for the owner.
So as good as the letter is, it's basically worthless!

And back in 2013 when we went on Strike it was ALL 1181 school bus drivers and matrons, that before the Strike were all working under one contract. If we go out now it will only be those of us whose contract expired in June.
Unfortunately not a good thing for us.

I don't know if I understand what ur saying or if I don't understand what the President can do or not do.
My understanding and correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think we have any voice anymore. We already gave the Reps the authority to Strike, so if they are offered a "Best and Final Offer" and don't agree with it I don't think they will ask us if we like it or not. I believe that they will just tell us that we're going out.

R u sure they're no longer in charge?!?!?

Word of Advice for All especially new Members that may not know. In case we go out on Strike before October and are on strike for the entire month of October and possibly beyond, you will not have medical and prescription coverage for that time (unless you have coverage outside of 1181).
So to be on the safe side if you unfortunately see doctors and get prescriptions on a routine basis then I would try to get in and see those Doctors and get those Prescriptions filled before the end of September. Just my opinion.

Buzz I understand ur point but you only quote half of my comment.
I know the demographic has changed and as you can see in my entire comment for the most part I say don't worry about the Senior Members and "get the "new hires" as much as possible."

I disagree that they are not taking us very serious. Just that fact that there are four consecutive days of negotiations scheduled shows they are taking us very serious. That's more sit downs than they've probably had in the last 8 months.

If we Strike or don't Strike let's be realistic, there is no way the contractors are going to give us what is being asked for. It's simple logic, why would they give us what we ourselves have ratified and given to them over the past three contracts. It's not just the Contractors but both sides that have to bend. My opinion, give the senior members a decent raise and leave everything else status quo and get the "new hires" as much as possible. I also believe if we Strike it will be much longer than the last one and it will end up the same with us on the losing end.

Senior Drivers & Attendants
Check ur paystubs. I thought last week was a guaranteed week, meaning we get paid for a total of 40 hours excluding any Run Coverage. I'm looking at mine and unless I'm reading it wrong or don't understand what a guaranteed week means, I only got paid for the Holiday and the days I actually worked. What about anyone else?

The City doesn't pay us. They pay the contractors. And just like with the illegals and almost everything else the City pays the contractors well. It's the contractors that don't want to share the wealth!

Yes

Buzz
REMINDER
Special Ed Bus Assignments

Buzz did you and if not, can you post the Special Ed Bus Assignment List?

May seem silly but are we sure it's a guaranteed week for Senior Employees?
Reason I ask is bc Senior Matrons at top pay that work Thursday & Friday and get paid for Labor Day still don't gross $504, so they'll need to know for sure.