Joseph LaCapria <jlacapria@apwu.org>
Western Nassau Area Local
NBA MVS
- Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 22:59:58 (CDT)
Happy Holiday and to clear up the feedback I have received; I believe there are 11 sites, in addition to Columbus, Ohio, that have received notice of modified work rules and reductions. Seems two of the 11 go from a number to zero so the assumption is that they will be eliminated totally if the service gets their wish. Did not see that as an option in the memo. Well, if not for a phone call from a concerned member, I would not have known what was going on in my Region. We need to focus on this issue and work as a union. If we do not work together as a union to protect our membership we will pay the price. Obviously, the service has spent a lot of time and manpower as well as created a program for all of their managers to follow. Our leaders at National will have their hands full. Our local union officals on the front line will need all the help they can get. Thank you to those that have responded and this issue will require a team effort and is serious. The drivers proposed to be eliminated totals almost one hundred. Times that by 7 if one had to guess what the potential impact could be if we all agree. By the way, if you do not agree, the number may grow to all on the list. However, I do not believe the service can duplicate Tacoma, although Seattle is one of the chosen 11.


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Joseph LaCapria <jlacapria@apwu.org>
Western Nassau Area Local
MVS NBA
- Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 14:55:15 (CDT)
Good Day everyone. I read some of the postings. Seems you can really tell what people are made of when they are faced with a challenge. I want to thank my union brothers and sisters in Providence. They make me both proud and humble to be a part of this great union. They allowed me to be a part of their challenge and Liz Powell promptly approved me to assist when the local requested. The Motor Vehicle Craft was sent modified runs this weekend. They were instructed in a few words. If they did not accept the terms or submit a counter proposal the service may eliminate the entire driving operation.

They accepted the challenge, responded and what took the service months with teams and computer programs was corrected and submitted to the national for review. To articulate all of what happened I WILL be better put at OUR UPCOMING CRAFT CONFERENCE “IN DETAIL” If allowed- “THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY.” The only thing that concerns me is how locals prepare and defend the rights of our membership in this new challenge. It is crucial we all pool our thoughts to best represent the membership. I will try to assemble teams to look at the way the service zero based and headquarters created their models and proposals in our region and others. I am also asking for each local affected to please send me all of the information and will record this information on a CD with all of the presentations/counter proposals. I can tell you that the team in Providence looked at issues I never even thought of. This is a game of numbers and percentages that should be second nature to every MVSC employee. THIS IS WHAT WE DO EVERYDAY. These service proposals are riddled with errors, mistakes and useless and many impractical service schedules. These schedules and service proposals can be corrected if we examine them collectively and fight this as a union. The reality is that we must use every tool and a computer program will only process information input. In addition, we have been able to negotiate the return of work because PVS was cheaper with existing resource on many occasions here in the Northeast. I do not take the credit for this. Mid-Island/ New York Metro/Greater Conn/N. Jersey and many others have made their case and work was returned to the craft. Hard work tough choices have translated into huge returns for our craft. Now is the time where we will see what we are really made of.

Some issues are - there is not proper lay-off, breaks, service, type of vehicle size in a station and all of the stops are computer generated not totally correct. How does a computer allow for the room in a station, traffic or DOT regulations if they are not part of the program? Please send all service proposals and your counter proposals. I need this information to find out what is really happening. I say this because there are now 11 locals/MVS operations that will be discussed on or about July 8, 2009. The information I have I will make available when completed. I found out from the local and hope that the information is forth coming. I did forward the limited information I received to every MVS NBA and all of the NBA’s in my region. Now I am asking for your help and/or any input you may have. I believe that if we are informed and open minded we can better prepare for these challenges. I suggest each local contact their NBA and I will try to keep you all informed. I will say many have offered to help. I do not believe all 11 locals will be resolved in a single meeting on July 8 but if informed I will try to let everyone know how this all shakes out. Good luck god bless and happy holidays. We have with much help created an Article 12 Q&A for MVS and want to thank all of those that helped! I also asked for approval to use my advocates should their be any future pilot proposals and am waiting for a response.
Joseph LaCapria

You can now reach me @ 5 North Village Ave, Rockville Center, NY 11570
516-678-1327