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We will fight to SAVE BUSING!
What has Bloomberg’s DOE done to school bus riders?
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Provoked a strike by attacking the seniority hiring list known as EPP; then bragged about saving money while thousands lost instruction & therapies
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During the strike, DOE memo to bus companies said to “replace” fully trained attendants, who know about disabilities, with hastily certified 2nd drivers; DOE did not respond to numerous accidents and safety violations
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After the strike, DOE let several companies lock out experienced workers, leaving many students without a reliable bus; let companies keep less skilled, lower paid ‘replacements’ past the maximum time on the memo
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Now silent, while their own contractors try to turn special and general education busing into a part-time casual workforce without a living wage.
Does DOE care about students or about profit margins of bus corporations?
Transportation is part of the civil right to a Free, Appropriate Public Education! Destroying the working conditions on the bus means destroying the riding conditions! Do we have to have a school boycott to get this taken seriously?
Join our Parent & Student Rally:
Friday April 19, 2013 at 12 noon
65 Court St. Brooklyn, NY 11201 (outside Dept. of Education offices including the Contracts Division)
Subways: A, C, F to Jay St-Metrotech; 2, 3, 4, 5 to Borough Hall; G to Hoyt- Schermerhorn; N, R to Court Street
Contact Parents to Improve School Transportation (PIST):
pistnyc@gmail.com 347-504-3310 (se habla español)
Facebook PIST NYC Website www.pistnyc.org Twitter @pistnyc
Labor donated 3/2013 Please do not post on private or public property
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The ARISE Coalition & The Citywide Council on Special Education present -
Where Is The Bus?
Is your child missing instruction because of the bus strike?
Is your child missing other services? After school programs?
How do you know the driver or matron is certified?
Have you been reimbursed?
What can you do if you can’t afford to pay for car service yourself?
What are your options for alternate travel?
What should you do to ensure that your child receives their
mandated transportation services?
Join us at a PUBLIC SPEAK OUT!
Sponsored by The ARISE Coalition &
The Citywide Council on Special Education
Invited DOE representatives will be in attendance to answer any
questions that you may have and provide updates.
Thursday, February 21, 2013 6:00 pm at
Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY 11209
Please keep comments to less than five minutes.
Translation services will be provided.
~ Refreshments will be available ~
RSVP: (718) 391-8354
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MORE CALENDAR DETAILS FOR PRO-BUSING ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK
///Por abajo se encuentra Calendario de Actividades PRO-BUS • Semana 4-10 Febrero (Más Detalles)///
(Note if it’s not yet 11 pm Weds when you read this, you can still call in to the Yetta Kurland Radio show to comment on our bus children’s rights 212-868-0975)
1. (also sent earlier)
Thank you Church of the Resurrection 158th St and Elton Avenue en el Bronx, for allowing school bus parents to hold meetings Thursday 2/7 at 10 a.m.- 12 noon and 6-8 p.m. to discuss plans for helping to bring the strike to a successful end.
See map attached for bus (Bx13, Bx15, Bx21, Bx41) and subway stops (2,5) nearby.
The hours and address of the meetings are recorded on the PIST phone 347-504-3310 in Spanish and English.
2. Friday Feb. 8 starting around 12 noon (but sign up earlier to speak)
PIST and other parent advocate groups are invited to testify at City Council hearings right before it opens for public comments (DOE officials speak at 10 a.m. and then the relevant unions). The hearings are about the costs of pupil transportation.
Remember Bloomberg and Walcott say these costs are too expensive and are using that as an excuse to kick out the experienced drivers and matrons by dropping Employee Protection Provision from the bids, which provoked the strike.
The committees holding these meetings recognize that parents are stakeholders in the pupil transport system including the bidding process.
Parents who sign up at the event can present our grievances about the current situation including the strike, as well as suggestions for saving money without harming our children's safety or their access to education.
Address: Committee Room – 250 Broadway, 16th Floor across from City Hall
Written testimony can be submitted to jatwell@council.nyc.gov; feel free to cc pistnyc@gmail.com
3. Friday February 8th from 3 pm to 5 pm
Bronx PIST is calling for any bus parents who can to join a picket for Safety and Education Rights
at the NYCDOE Tweed Courthouse building, 52 Chambers St, Manhattan.
NOTE DUE TO WEATHER WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO BRING CHILDREN UNTIL SUNDAY
Near 4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge City Hall, A, C, E, J, Z to Chambers St. or R to City Hall.
Confirm the details by calling the PIST phone message starting Thursday night after 8 pm. 347-504-3310
4. Sunday February 10 from 12:30 to 6:00
The union movement is rallying to support the striking school bus drivers and matrons. PIST endorses this event. See attached flyer.
Gathering at Cadman Plaza Tillary St. in Brooklyn from 12:30-1:00
Marching over the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall park.
Program 3-6 pm
5. Reminder: If there is no change in the negotiation, Monday Feb. 11 is the day bids go in on the first 1,100 of the 7,700 school bus route contracts and Tuesday Feb. 12 is the decision. Even though there are other steps in the contract process all the way till May, that makes this week very important.
If the city gets away with shortchanging our kids’ safety situation in this portion of routes it will go on to do the same for the next 1,100 contracts that are up for bid in April and the next group in the Fall until there is no experience factor left in the workforce! UNACCEPTABLE!
6. Anytime, see this for info on donating to Parents to Improve School Transportation FIGHTING FUND: http://tinyurl.com/b73n6vq
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Calendario de Actividades PRO-BUS • Semana 4-10 Febrero (Más Detalles)
1. Gracias a La Iglesia de la Resurrection Calle 158 y Avenida Elton in the Bronx, por permitir que los padres de alumnos que necesitan servicios de transporte escolar tengan reuniones el Jueves 7 de Febrero a las 10 de la manana hasta las 12 y despues a las 6 de la tarde hasta las 8 para planear como terminar la huelga exitosamente.
Mire en la mapa afijada donde se para la guagua (Bx13, Bx15, Bx21, Bx41) y la metro (2,5) cerca de la iglesia.
Las horas y la direccion de las reuniones estan gravadas tambien en el mensaje al 347-504-3310 en ambos idiomas.
Viernes 8 de febrero: a partir de las 12 horas (hay ques registrarse antes de hablar)
Audiencias del Consejo Municipal Grupos de padres PIST y otros grupos están invitados a testificar a partir alrededor de las 12 horas (los funcionarios hablan a las 10 horas).
Las audiencias se refieren a los costos de transporte estudiantil.
Acuerdese que Bloomberg y Walcott dicen que estos costos son demasiado caros, y están usando eso como excusa para expulsar a los conductores experimentados y matronas, por dejar caer la EPP (Provisión de Protección del Empleado) de las ofertas. Así empezó la huelga.
Los comités de estas reuniones reconocen que los padres son entre los interesados en el sistema de transporte estudiantil, incluyendo el proceso de licitación.
Los padres que se inscriban en el evento pueden presentar nuestras quejas acerca de la situación actual, incluyendo la huelga, así como sugerencias para ahorrar dinero sin perjudicar la seguridad de nuestros hijos o el acceso a la educación.
Dirección: Committee Room – 250 Broadway, 16 piso, frente al alcaldia
Enviar por correo electrónico donde el testimonio escrito puede presentarse: jatwell@council.nyc.gov; y puede enviar con cc al nuestro pistnyc@gmail.com
Viernes 8 de febrero: 15:00 -17:00pm
Piquete para Seguridad y los Derechos Educativos,
en el edificio NYCDOE Tweed, 52 Chambers St, Manhattan. Bronx
DEBIDO A LA NIEVE, NO VAMOS A LLEVAR NUESTROS HIJOS HOY
Trenes 4, 5, 6 a Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall;
A, C, E, J, Z a Chambers Street
R a City Hall (Alcalde).
Confirme los detalles llamando al teléfono PIST a partir del jueves 8 pm: 347-504-3310
Domingo 10 de febrero: 12:30-6:00pm
El movimiento sindical está movilizando para apoyar a los conductores de autobuses escolares y matronas en huelga. PIST apoya este evento. Ver folleto adjunto.)
Reunión en Cadman Plaza: Tillary St. en Brooklyn desde las 12:30-01:00
Marchando por el puente de Brooklyn al parquet de la Alcaldia.
Programa: 3-6 pm
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Feb. 2 2013: details of Saturday's caravan for School bus Safety & Justice/detalles de la caravana del sabado
Please join us at either of the points described below. We scaled back from all 5 boroughs since the picket lines generally take the weekend off.
See attached for flyers to forward and post (English flyer tells Manhattan and Bronx starting points; Spanish flyer tells Bronx starting point only due to lack of space, sorry, rush job!!!)
After tomorrow we will send links to bus crisis coverage from United Federation of Teachers, what the City Council is doing to demand EPP, and more.
-----------------------------------------------info in English, scroll down!---------------------------------
Contingente de Boston del sindicato de choferes de autobuses escolares llega a la calle 23 y la Avenida Madison a las 10:00 a.m.
Despues de la recepcion, se decoraran los vehiculos con afiches y pancartas.
La mayoría de los vehiculos saldran del area por las 12 horas, en la avenida Madison,
rodeando el bloque donde vive Bloomberg (en la calle 72),
y continuando para arriba en Madison (que pasa el parque Marcus Garvey), cruzando el puente en Madison y 138.
La caravana sera saludado en 138 St. Bronx por Mujeres Trabajadores por la Paz, que luego se montan en los vehiculos,
y procederan a las líneas de piquete de ATU 1181 en Avenida Zerega que estaran alla hasta las 4 pm
Una delegación de la caravana solidaria se quedara en el centro por la parte inicial de una reunion en la sed de 32BJ SEIU en 25 W 18 St. (con una película sobre la huelga de trabajadores de sanitacion de 1968 en Memphis apoyado por el Dr. King) y luego juntarse con el grupo en el Bronx.
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Boston school bus drivers' union contingent gets into 23rd St. and Madison Ave. at 10:00 a.m.
People greet them, decorate cars with signs they are bringing and our own local signs.
Most vans and cars leave the area by 12 noon, up Madison,
around and around Bloomberg's block,
continue up Madison (passes Marcus Garvey park), cross the bridge,
greeted on 138 St. Bronx by Mujeres Trabajadores por la Paz who will then mount cars,
proceed to ATU 1181 picket lines on Zerega Ave.which are there until 4 p.m.
(1) Pioneer Transportation
(2) Reliant Transportation
A delegation from the solidarity caravan will stay downtown for the beginning portion of an indoor gathering that is happening at SEIU 32 BJ hall at 25 W 18 St. (featuring a film about the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike that Dr. King supported) and then catch up with the group in the Bronx.
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Estimados Padres, Defensores y Activistas,
Como ya saben, el alcalde aún no ha acordado re-abrir petición de contratos a las compañias de autobuses escolares para que legalmente se pueda incluir la Provisión de Protección de los Empleados en las propuestas de contrato para las rutas 2013-2017, y por eso los miembros del Sindicato “Amalgamated Transit Union L. 1181” se fueron a la huelga.
Las familias de los estudiantes que viajan en los autobuses escolares necesitan apoyo mutuo para enfrentar tres asuntos:
1. Problemas que enfrentan con el plan de la ciudad de ‘transporte alternativo'
2. Como llevar a nuestros niños/as a la escuela y de regreso durante la huelga y como cumplir con las instrucciones (estudios) y terapias obligatorias
3. Como apoyar a los choferes y sus asistentes en huelga para que puedan llegar a una resolución rapida que beneficie a largo plazo la seguridad y la educación de los estudiantes neoyorquinos con y sin discapacidades
Padres par Mejorar el Transporte Escolar les invita a un intercambio de ideas y a participar en la labor:
Reunión sobre ESTRATEGIA a Nivel de CIUDAD
Sábado 19 de enero, 2013
12 medio día a no más de las 3:00 de la tarde
en sindicato Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181-1061
101-49 Woodhaven Boulevard
Ozone Park, Queens, NY 11416
El edificio tiene estacionamiento, elevador y baños accesibles
Cerca tren A en la parada Rockaway Blvd. –que tiene escalera muy larga
Esto no es un evento para los medios de comunicación o manifestación política. ¡Esta es una reunión de trabajo! Venga con energia, información y listo para prestar sus conocimientos.
Se invita a los niños/as a crear dibujos y arte sobre los autobuses escolares y la huelga para enviar a los piquetes.
RSVP: pistnyc@gmail.com, 347-504-3310 (se habla espanol)
Para los que quieran hacer algo ahora mismo, ustedes pueden:
a) firme y circule la petición en aflcio.org/safety1st
b) comente en facebook y twitter de la NYCDOE, el alcalde Bloomberg, etc.
c) visite cualquiera de los garages donde están los piquetes 24 horas del día, vea http://nysaflcio.org/strike-supportpicket-locations/
Family members of bus-riding students need mutual support to address three concerns:
1. Problems people are experiencing with the city's 'alternative transportation plan'
2. How to get our children to school and back during this strike, or get their mandated instruction and therapies by other means
3. How to help the drivers and matrons bring the strike to a speedy resolution that benefits the long term safety and education of NYC students with and without disabilities. In other words, how to get Employee Protection back into the bids!
Parents to Improve School Transportation invites all who are willing to exchange ideas and take on some of this work to a:
CITYWIDE STRATEGY MEETING
Saturday January 19, 2013
12 noon to no later than 3:00 pm
at Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181-1061
101-49 Woodhaven Boulevard
Ozone Park, Queens, NY 11416
Building has parking, elevator and accessible restrooms
Near A train Rockaway Blvd. stop--which has long staircase
This is not a media event or a political rally. This is a working meeting! Bring your skills, information and energy. Children are invited to create artwork about the school bus, to send to the picket lines.
RSVP: pistnyc@gmail.com, 347-504-3310 (se habla espanol)
For those who want to do something right this second, you can:
a) sign and share the petition at aflcio.org/safety1st
b) comment on the facebooks and twitters of the NYCDOE, Mayor Bloomberg, the media, etc.
c) visit any of the bus garages where pickets are happening 24 hours a day, see http://nysaflcio.org/strike-supportpicket-locations/ d) translate this message to another language
Next step in bidding our kids' buses for next year is Thurs. Jan 3 at 1:00 p.m. at 30-30 Thomson Ave, LIC (next door to OPT!).
A tricky time for parents who have to meet the bus. See:
http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/DCP/Vendor/RFB/Default.htm
***The From Day One Coalition will be having a press conference at the Tweed Courthouse on Sunday, December 23, at 2:00 PM, in which several elected officials will be in attendance.
The issue: “Mayor Bloomberg intends to propose a Request for Bid (RFB) without the Employee Protection Provision/Mollen Agreement. This is the agreement that ensures that trained and experienced drivers and matrons are the ones serving our children during their travel to and from school.”
Another event about safety for children follows in the same general area. We received this from Transit Worker leaders:
Come out and join TWU Local 100, Transit Forward, labor unions, community organizations, and Senator Adams for a public response to the horrific killing at Sandy Hook Elementary School and call for gun control reform NOW!
WHAT: Hands Across the Brooklyn Bridge
WHEN: Sunday, December 23rd, 2012
WHERE: BROOKLYN—meet at 4:15PM at Cadman Plaza Park; MANHATTAN—meet at 4:15PM at the foot of the Bridge near City Hall
Parent council for citywide special education programs is still dealing with busing in December.
So much for 'glitches in the first 2 weeks of school'!!!
Please post on Facebook and send to lists.
POR ABAJO SE ENCUENTRA LA DIRECCION DE UNA REUNION EN EL BRONX
QUE TRATA DE PROBLEMAS DE LOS AUTOBUSES DE LOS ALUMNOS
EL MIERCOLES 19 DE DIC. A LAS 6:30 DE LA TARDE
TRADUCCION DISPONIBLE
Long School Bus routes that harm children and disrespect educational rights* are
SCARY!
Join a Halloween Protest w/Parents to Improve School Transportation
WEDS. OCTOBER 31, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.
At: Office of Pupil Transportation (aka HOUSE OF HORRORS) 44-36 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, 11101
*NYS law: “Special education means specially designed individualized or group instruction or special services or programs…and special transportation, provided at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.”
Children/costumes welcome pistnyc@gmail.com 347-504-3310 (se habla español)
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2012
First ever all-parent press conference to denounce all school bus problems created by the DOE's approach to Pupil Transportation!
Tweed Courthouse, DOE headquarters
52 Chambers Street at 11:00 am
If you have facebook, check PIST NYC or New York City Parents Fed up with Transportation Troubles or Day One Coalition for the official flyer.
If you have twitter, check @pistnyc
To meet with other PIST members before it begins, call 347-504-3310 on the weekend of Sep 15-16 or that morning.
***under construction Dec 2011- Sep 2012***
Thurs. Dec. 15, 2011
Contract Rally by Transit Workers’ Union L. 100
4PM, at 2 Broadway in Lower Manhattan
They are in negotiations with the MTA for decent working and riding conditions for all (contract expires Jan 15, 2012).
Weds. Dec. 14, 2011
Mayor’s Panel for Educational Policy will vote on closing many schools citywide. There is a major mobilizing effort by education activists to intervene.
When: Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Time: 6:00pm
Where: Newtown HS
Address: 48-01 90th Street,
Queens, NY 11374.
School Bus Safety contingent
March for Jobs and Economic Justice
Thursday Dec. 1, 2011
Herald Square to Union Square
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Next Citywide Council on Special Education Calendar Meeting/Topic:
Thursday, October 20, 2011,
6-8PM,
Location: P324X – Bronx Early College Academy,
164 Morris Ave., 10452-6201, Bronx, NY,
Topic: Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT)
Fulton Houses Tenant Association presents:
School Bus Rights for All Children Now!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Hudson Guild Fulton Center
119 9th Avenue between 17th & 18th Streets
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Parents to Improve School Transportation Meeting
Community Room @ 328 W 28th St. btwn. 8th & 9th Av.
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Download flyer: English | Spanish
Read press release
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Public Meeting
Office of Pupil Transportation Executive Director spoke at the Citywide Council on Special Education at Norman Thomas High School.
Read a summary »
Watch video »
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