Quote from: PROUD MEMBER on October 21, 2025, 02:08:23 AMAnother big question
If this does happen does it mean as of November 1st that Pioneer and the other companies are closing their doors. Because if not aren't we guaranteed full pay each week for 39 weeks per year until June of 2028?
Just because the owners lost their contracts with the DOE that doesn't nullify their contract with the Union. I mean I'm not a Labor Attorney but it seems logical to me or at least I hope so.

I'LL just say, what happened during COVID?

During Covid I don't think anyone was worried about getting paid from the company because between the combined state & FEDERAL unemployment benefits at one point we were getting more than we would have been taking home in our paychecks. And obviously the circumstances are different now.

Quote from: PROUD MEMBER on October 21, 2025, 03:14:35 AMDuring Covid I don't think anyone was worried about getting paid from the company because between the combined state & FEDERAL unemployment benefits at one point we were getting more than we would have been taking home in our paychecks. And obviously the circumstances are different now.

Yes, but you mentioned the 39 guaranteed weeks. The way that went out the window then, it'll go out now. If buses don't go out the company doesn't get paid, and neither will we.

And again I'll mention the benefits. If we're out as of Nov 1 that means we will not have worked even one day that month to be entitled to coverage for the month. Hopefully it doesn't come to that.

So whats your gut telling you ? What happens after the 31st.....

My gut says we need a miracle before October 31st. If not I think and hope if a new Mayor is elected on November 4th that he'll step in and get this resolved and we'll be back to work by the 3rd week of November or at the latest the first week of December. If it's the guy that wants free MTA buses then he should just see that the Panel approves the contracts and then figure out a way to have the DOE pay them. I'd assume it costs much more to run the MTA that he does to run School Buses.

I think the reason we got that letter and that article appeared in the Post was to force a decision by the PEP before the election. I'm pretty sure that the owners don't want to deal with the communist that will likely be elected for the reasons you mentioned.

But remember, a new mayor doesn't take office until January 1st so if the PEP doesn't cave it could be a long layoff if that's what the PEP is waiting for.

However, I really don't think the PEP wants to be the reason for discontinued bus service. And although the letter we got said the PEP does not even have the issue on the calendar for the meeting the 29th of this month, I'm pretty sure it'll be the priority come that date and the contract will be approved. That's what all the theatrics were designed to do.

That's just my opinion. But in a city that will elect a communist mayor, anything can happen.

Quote from: WhatBusToday on October 21, 2025, 11:46:50 AMSo whats your gut telling you ? What happens after the 31st.....

If the PEP doesn't approve the contract before then, we'll be laid off.

If this turns south and we collect unemployment, what happens if you exhaust the effective days remaining? Do you just open up a new claim when that runs out? I believe at the moment it says I have 60 days left with my year end date being 12/28

Quote from: WhatBusToday on October 21, 2025, 06:08:23 PMIf this turns south and we collect unemployment, what happens if you exhaust the effective days remaining? Do you just open up a new claim when that runs out? I believe at the moment it says I have 60 days left with my year end date being 12/28

You would just open a new claim.