TOURGUIDE IRREGULARS

THIS COULD HAPPEN...

2011-12-23T11:53:00.000-05:00

Click here and learn how the bus lost its top... maybe during the last strike?

EMAIL FROM DON MELVIN... STRIKE?

2011-12-23T11:04:00.000-05:00

Colleagues!
I want to remind everyone if we strike we automatically collect unemployment. I seriously question the unions contention that to strike would be playing into managements hands. A live tour guide option on their buses is a valuable if not vital asset. They are counting on the impotence of our Union to have their cake and eat it too by cutting our salaries and creating other undignified chores so that they will profit in every way. 3 years ago with the threat of impending economic doom striking clearly wasn't an option. Today I believe it's our only option.Not 20 people with signs chanting silly slogans, rather active radical actions like blocking buses from going to work. Manning every ticket outlet harassing sales, And of course forcing the company to pay unemployment benefits indefinitely to some 300 workers. It would be a war and we could lose but the otion is NOT an option. Hit this company where it hurts in their wallet. Make it evening news night after night as we are carted off to jail. That surely would make Scotland think twice about Mark Mermelsteins methods and in the end just might save our jobs. Personally my demands are modest. A live tour guide option on the buses a modest raise and at least 35 hours a week. Have no illusion. The last 3 years broke all records for tourism in NYC. Any company that doesn't wish their employees to share in the good fortune is worthy of only contempt and I for one am anxious to impart that reality to them.

Don

SIGN THE PETITION!

2011-12-11T17:24:00.001-05:00

CLICK HERE AND GET WITH IT!

Let's blow up a tour bus!!

2009-10-28T13:58:00.006-04:00

If you were on a downtown tour on Sunday last... and had to make a detour around Water Street and Hanover Square... here is the reason. I helped Samuel L. Jackson and The Rock (as "THE OTHER GUYS") save NYC from the bad guys by trashing a double decker (in the photo: Big Decker Tours). All in a day's work....

TERRIFYING HELL UNDER TOUR BUS

2009-10-13T21:58:00.002-04:00

I just realized the significance (or non-significance) of the headline (also the headline of this post) on the POST article about the pedestrian rundown over at the UN... This, of course, with the replacing of "under" with "on top of" can apply to a constantly recurring everyday, indeed, every tour situation. But I'm just being cynical. Really????

I WAS GETTING BORED WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO POST... (Did she have a ticket?)

2009-10-13T21:20:00.002-04:00

Twin-decker pins woman in Midtown

By TOM LIDDY

Last Updated: 9:42 AM, October 13, 2009

Posted: 2:56 AM, October 13, 2009

A pleasant sightseeing tour around Midtown turned to horror with a simple turn of the wheel yesterday when a double-decker bus plowed into a woman crossing the street.

Lolaa Alrashied, struck just steps from the United Nations, was pinned under the bus and screaming in pain as shocked tourists looked on.

Alrashied had been rushing to cross as the bus, which had a green light, was turning onto 42nd Street.

"I was just on my way to the shower, and I heard cries," said Sean Bloch, 27, who lives nearby.

"I heard, 'Don't touch her! Don't move her!' She was screaming."

SEAN BLOCH

A passerby tries to comfort a woman who was run over and pinned by a double-deck tour bus in Midtown.

Alrashied was wedged face down under the frame of the Gray Line bus -- which had been turning left onto East 42nd Street -- between the front and back wheels. Her sunglasses were thrown a few feet and she was clutching her gold purse as she grimaced in pain just feet from the crosswalk.

Passers-by raced to her aide as the 20 horrified sightseers aboard the bus looked on. One Samaritan offered comfort to Alrashied.

"He was attentive to her," said Bloch, of the man who knelt by the woman's side and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Witnesses said the unwitting driver tried to move the bus while Alrashied was still pinned beneath it.

"The bus driver was trying to move the bus," Bloch said. "People were yelling, 'Stop moving the bus!' "

At that point, the driver, identified by sources as Rene Abrego, 61, ran out and tried to help, but was pushed away by a crowd that had formed around her.

"It took the tourists on the second [level] time to figure out what was going on," said Bloch, a filmmaker.

"The tourists were all in shock. They didn't even want to look. There was a mother who was shielding her daughter."

"They got more than they bargained for."

It wasn't clear whether the driver initially knew he had even hit someone.

Firetrucks and ambulances rushed to the scene, and rescuers carefully removed Alrashied from under the bus.

Medics placed her on a backboard and secured her neck with a brace before whisking her to Bellevue Hospital, where she was treated for leg fractures and trauma.

She was listed in serious condition.

No summonses were issued. Records indicate Abrego has a clean driving record.

"Gray Line is fully cooperating with the police and they wish the woman a full recovery," company spokeswoman Cristyne Nicholas said.

Additional reporting by Murray Weiss, Michelle Kaske, Tim Perone, Reuven Fenton and Jessica Simeone

tom.liddy@nypost.com

A WHOLE LOTTA SWEARIN' GOIN' ON!

2009-10-01T15:03:00.005-04:00

This is what we actually came for... but where was the champagne?

No, there was NO champagne... not even a sneaky quick scotch behind one of the pillars...

This was a first attempt to get a group shot of the swearinginees...

But Stacy was too excited to enjoy herself...

But dancers are always excited...

Stop! In the name of LOVE! Get a load of Karen emulating Bella Abzug! Okay, some of you are too young to know who Bella Abzug was... let's just say she was in the trenches with Mike Quill...

Every swearing-in needs an agitator...

And Mensan did his part...

And James was on his way up...

Andy and Stuart contemplated something on the other side of the room... probably me as I left early... I came home to post this stuff to the blog...

YOU ARE INVITED

2009-09-29T07:22:00.002-04:00

TWU LOCAL 225 swearing in ceremony for union officers

Taking the oath of office

Karen Fleming President

Richard Ventola Vice-President

Anthony Celeste Secretary-Treasurer

Andy Sydor Recording Secretary

Mensan Kinvi Executive Board Branch I

Max Carames Executive Board II

Todd McGue Executive Board III

Thursday October 1, 2009

12PM to 2PM

505 Eighth Avenue

between West 35^th Street

and West 36^th Street

New York, NY

Second Floor

All TWU Local 225 members are welcome to attend!

The building requires ID to enter

CLARIFICATION...

2009-09-27T14:05:00.005-04:00

For all you guys who DON'T read between the lines... I didn't mean to insinuate that the concerns of ALL union members are not in many ways similar... of course we all want job security, decent wages, a safe work place and all that. When I stated that the concerns of NYU or NJ Transit or Shortline bus drivers are not the same as Grayline ticket agents and tour guides, I meant that (of course) we all have overlapping concerns as union members (I am in 4 unions). But besides those basic concerns, there seems to be a unique non-relationship between the workers of Grayline and the Grayline bosses. GL brass does not respect their employees or their customers. Shortline and NJ Transit bosses are somewhat (if perhaps not a great deal) more respectful of their workers and their public. I could be wrong, but GL management may be unique in the annals of the business world. Most business people are basically pigs, but most of them including the movie and TV producers (for whom I toil occasionally under the auspices of SAG and AFTRA), Broadway producers (whose workers are variously AEA, AFM and IATSE members), and transit authorities (TWU and Teamsters) have just a little bit of awareness of the needs of their customers and their workers. If TV and movie and theatre producers treated their workers and their public like GL treats their reason for being in business, those TV sets and movie theatres and Broadway playhouses would all go dark in three days.

LEST WE FORGET...

2009-09-25T14:16:00.002-04:00

Let the new leadership remember... there are members of Local 225 who are NOT Grayline Tour Guides. The local represents NYU Drivers, employees of Shortline and employees of NJ Transit. Although the majority of non-Grayline workers voted for the status quo (ie: Carlos) let us reach out to them and remember this union represents them also. There are many varied interests at stake. The concerns of a NJ Transit driver are totally different from the concerns of a Grayline ticket agent. There may be a feeling that, under the previous administration, Grayline workers didn't get fair and equal representation, but let's remember NOT to swing the other way and leave the drivers out in the cold... they must believe that the new leadership works for them, also. This is a UNION... and don't forget it.

FROM JAMES MUESSIG...

2009-09-24T14:02:00.006-04:00

The count was at union headquarters in Hackensack, NJ.

At 9:00 AM on Wednesday September 23, 2009 Andy Sydor and James Muessig took a bus from Port Authority out to Hackensack,NJ.

Present at the union headquarters were Carlos Padilla, the union president and Tony Celeste the union treasurer.

Three shop stewards from Gray Line, Short Line, and New Jersey Transit were also present. Traci Marlowe represented Gray Line.

Three mediators from the New Jersey Board of Mediation were also present. Also in the offices was the president of Local 226 which shares the space with our union, Local 225. The Local 225 office assistant was also there.

First thing, the union treasurer, Tony Celeste tried to kick me out of the office. He threatened to call the police. At that point I thought that we had a pretty good chance of winning the election. The mediators from New Jersey reached an accommodation. I could watch the count from the hallway through the doorway.

First the ballots from Gray Line in their mailing envelopes were put in numerical order. This guarantees that no one can "stuff the box" by adding ballots that were never mailed back by us. Gray Line employees were mailed 389 ballots. A total of 877 ballots were mailed to all companies in our union. Gray Line represented 44% of the ballots mailed out.

447 ballots were returned by all companies (Gray Line, New Jersey Transit, Short Line)

229 ballots from Gray Line this represents 51% of the total votes returned

98 ballots from New Jersey Transit this represents 22% of the total votes returned

120 ballots from Short Line this represents 27% of the total votes returned

Voter participation from the three companies breaks down like this:

59% of Grayline employees voted

104 Ticket Sellers voted

123 Tour Guides voted

2 NYU Drivers voted

The low return from NYU drivers is of concern because we learned that the NYU driver Shop Steward never received a ballot.That is a problem. When the Shop Steward is not receiving a ballot what chance does the membership have?

The votes from Branch 1 of Local 225 (Gray Line) resulted in Karen Fleming 176 votes, Carlos Padilla 53 votes, for president. Andy Sydor 196 votes, Richard Gruelich 31, votes for recording secretary. Mensan Kinvi 161 votes, Serge Gall 63 votes, for executive board... or Karen Fleming 77%, Carlos Padilla 23%, for president, Andy Sydor 86%, Richard Gruelich 14%, for recording secretary. Mensan Kinvi 71%, Serge Gall 29%, for executive board. After the count of Gray Line Karen Fleming was up 123 votes, Andy Sydor was up 165 votes, Mensan Kinvi had won by 98 votes.

At this point representatives of the International Union arrived to offer moral support to Carlos Padilla. International organizing representative Frank McCann asked me how everything was going and I proudly said Gray Line returned 60% of its vote. He remarked that was a very good return and then quickly added, "I have to get out of here soon." At that point Carlos Padilla's circle of friends was diminishing.

Branch 2 (New Jersey Transit) was counted next. 207 ballots were mailed. 98 were returned.

47% of New Jersey Transit drivers voted. This was a high turn out for New Jersey Transit. Karen and Andy's trips to New Jersey paid off. Karen Fleming 30 votes, Carlos Padilla 66 votes, Andy Sydor 50 votes, Richard Gruelich 39 votes, or Karen Fleming 31%, Carlos Padilla 69%, Andy Sydor 52%, Richard Gruelich 48%.

After the count of New Jersey Transit, Karen Fleming was up by 87 votes, Andy Sydor was up by 176 votes, Mensan Kinvi had won by 98 votes.

Carlos Padilla seemed to realize at that point that he had not won New Jersey Transit by enough votes to likely over come Karen Fleming's vote total. We did not yet know how many employees of Short Line had returned ballots.

Branch III (Short Line) was counted next. 120 Short Line employees returned ballots out of 285 mailed. This meant that Andy Sydor had mathematically locked a win. He was up 176 votes with only 120 votes left to count. 42% of Short Line employees returned ballots. This was Carlos Padilla's base. He is a former driver from Short Line.

Karen Fleming 31 votes, Carlos Padilla 89 votes, Andy Sydor 18 votes, Richard Gruelich 57 votes, or Karen Fleming 26%, Carlos Padilla 74%, Andy Sydor 15%, Richard Gruelich 85%.

The final result was that Karen Fleming won by 29 votes. Karen Fleming will be sworn in as the new president of TWU Local 225 in October. Andy won the post of Recording Secretary by 137 votes. Mensan Kinvi won his post on the Executive Board by 98 votes.

Interesting to note, as the New Jersey Mediator read off the vote counts every time there was a vote for Karen he would call it out with his voice rising as if he was excited. When he called a vote for Padilla he would lower his voice as if something bad had just happened. The tone of his voice made for a dramatic and exciting ballot count.

Karen won by 6.5% of the returned vote. That is a huge margin of victory for unseating an incumbent office holder. Andy won by a staggering 31% of the vote. Mensan won by an unbelievable 43% of the vote.

I hope this answers the questions.

Photos follow:

Thank you everyone who supported our candidates with your votes, money, and time.

Regards,

James Muessig

THE FUTURE...

2009-09-24T10:23:00.002-04:00

It seems that Karen, Andy and Mensen have prevailed in the struggle to lead local 225. As Robert Redford says to Peter Boyle at the end of the last scene of "The Candidate"... What do we do now?

MYSTERIOUS JAPANESE COMMENT

2009-09-19T10:14:00.003-04:00

To my loyal readers... somebody has been attempting to post a comment on this blog, but it is written either in Japanese, or in another version, Microsoft "Wing Dings" or some kind of computer gibberish. If you are the poster, or know who it is, please, let's have the comment in English so that it can be posted for all to see. Thanks to all of you.

WHY GRAYLINE GETS THE SHORT END OF THE STICK

2009-09-06T16:07:00.003-04:00

I suppose it never occurred to anyone that the reason TWU Local 225 gives short shrift to Grayline tourguides and ticket sellers is simply a matter of numbers. Let's stop using Carlos as a scapegoat (although he makes it easy). Look at the numbers: Grayline employees make up less than one-half the membership of Local 225. Even if ALL the Grayline members vote, that is theoretically less than 50% of the vote. If all the Shortline and NJ Transit members vote, that would make up more than 50% of the vote. Needless to say, not all members vote. In regard to Grayline employees, many, many members do not take the union seriously. Young people, people on the way to a better line of work, college students, part-timers... they are in the union because they have to be as a condition of employment. Many of these people will not bother to vote. Tourguide and ticket seller members are quite a bit different from the NJ Transit and Shortline members. The key words here are "Transit Worker". Take a good look at the situation. Are ticket sellers and tourguides "transit workers"? Bus drivers certainly are. The drivers look with disdain upon the interlopers from Grayline. The interlopers look at the situation and see that they do not belong to the same group as the drivers. Is it any wonder that the drivers vote as a bloc, and so do the Grayline members. Completely different interests and priorities. For the tourguides and ticket sellers, it is a no win situation. We do not belong in the TWU... we are not transit workers. We will never prevail. We would be better off belonging to NO union. I have advocated for years that we should align with another union or align with none at all. My suggestion has always been this: SEIU Local 1199. We will never get a break from TWU or Grayline as long as they are in bed with each other.

A NEW TOUR GUIDE?

2009-08-25T21:00:00.002-04:00

A beautiful nine pound baby girl! Eva is at St Vincent's hospital. How about a shout out when the downtown passes St Vincent's? But, of course, no talking on Greenwich Ave! My best gags are on Greenwich Avenue... What? No Mae West? So, Fabrice... are you packin' a gun, or is Eva just glad to see you? Cigars, please!

POSTAGE DUE

2009-08-19T19:49:00.002-04:00

I have been told that as a money saving tactic, TWU local 225 election committee wanted to use up all the old 42 cent envelopes they had. So they pasted 2 cent stamps to the envelopes before they sent the ballots out. Unfortunately, some of the envelopes didn't get the 2 cent stamp (mine may be the only one, but check it out before you send it back... proper postage is 44 cents.) I was reamed out by the postal clerk at the Times Square station, and I quote: "Put the fucking postage on... what is this, a conspiracy?" Indeed.

MEET THE CANDIDATES

2009-08-14T15:00:00.002-04:00

So let's all do that, whaddya say? At the Mean and Nasty Violin Player... Sunday at 4pm. Let's have a beer and pretend that it will make a whole lot of difference. By the way, I'm inviting Reverend Billy, who will pass among you. And please, let us all act like a union, OK?

RAINCOATS AND EXPLANATIONS

2009-08-13T08:29:00.003-04:00

Does anyone notice that when it rains (and even when it doesn't) 75% of what a tourguide talks about are explanations and rationalizations: advertising on the windows, air conditioning, wet seats, crummy ponchos, no room up top, bad sound system, next bus coming, where are we, etcetera, etcetera. It seems as if all we do is make excuses for the inadequate service. Best way to do it? Acknowledge what they already know. Make a joke about the lack of amenities. Let them know that you are suffering too. They will be with you.

TOURISM IS CRAP, AND IT'S DANGEROUS

2009-08-11T08:35:00.002-04:00

So this is a rant... I'm a part time tourguide. Many of you know me. I stand on the top of one of those big stupid red double-deckers and tell lies to gullible out-of-towners. I also do walking tours... much quieter and relaxing... not to say more energy efficient. But these days, things have gotten outta hand. There is too much. Too many people are in the business to make a lotta money... and to ill-serve those same gullible out-of-towners. Grayline is merged with Citysights. Both companies sell too many tickets for the number of seats they have. Airlines oversell too, but are penalized for doing so. Theatres NEVER oversell... it would be suicide. But tour bus operators do whatever they want... are they regulated as far as "customer service" goes? Schedule and plans are developed using a ouiji board... and a faulty one, too. Sightseers in NYC are made to suffer. They stand in line for hours waiting for a non-existent bus to pick them up. Then several buses come at the same time... some of them already filled up. Long convoys of buses (seven or eight in a row) pollute the atmosphere. And the tourists are not so gullible after all. They are angry. Money back? Nope! How 'bout another 72 hours? But I'm leaving in the morning. Too bad. All the bus lines will be soon owned by one person... Already the various helicopter companies devoted to sightseeing are owned by one guy... All for a buck do these outfits operate. For frivolous flights above the Hudson. The "air corridor" above the estuary must be immediately closed, and uncontrolled sightseeing choppers grounded. Pedicabs? Unregulated, they will kill people too. The Hudson river is turning into a graveyard, the city streets are turning into a carbon monoxide filled parking lot (those streets that don't have lawn chairs.) And the city is a co-conspirator. Tourism and the City of New York are in bed with each other. Block streets off? Have a street festival? Have a parade? Have another "Walk for Some Disease"? Fine, but where does the traffic go? onto the un-blocked streets. Clogged crosstown traffic. Bumper to bumper traffic on the part of Broadway that is NOT used for lawn chair lounging. OK, block off the streets, but at the same time aggressively deter vehicles from entering Manhattan. Congestion pricing? CRAP... an outright ban on cars would be more like it. I know the Dutch started it all with their emphasis on making a buck, but must everything be based on real estate and money? From the World Trade Center site to the Canal Street counterfeiters to the sightseeing gougers, the blood suckers and cash ghouls seem to be running the show. I would estimate that 50% of the visitors to our town go home with major respiratory and financial distress. Want to see the future? Watch "Soylent Green". A VERY interesting movie.

I KNOW YOU'RE ALL JUST TRYING TO BE HELPFUL, BUT...

2009-04-14T15:42:00.004-04:00

Be warned and on alert, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera... (as Yul Brynner used to say)... for those of you chicken hearts (actually, that's an insult to chickens)... enough with the sly, anonymous comments. If you feel you MUST be anonymous, try to be clever instead of nasty. But please, let's try to have no more anonymous comments and/or posts. I have democratically posted them without hesitation, but I will delete them (unless they're clever and/or humorous or truly vital). Let the sun shine in... you have nothing to fear but fear itself. But maybe you just want to vent and are afraid of being found out... well, not on this blog! No one will ever know who you are. There is plenty of very specific venting going on without you guys! Thanks and I'll see you under a bus.

WILLING TO HELP OUT IN A PINCH?

2009-04-13T15:17:00.003-04:00

So on Saturday afternoon I get this call from Johnnie. Now, mind you, I haven't worked since December (I'm a "book extra"). Johnnie asked if I could work the next day (Easter Sunday) and I said yes, always willing to help out Grayline when they have not figured out how to plan for a holiday during spring break (let's let some people take the day off... like maybe 50 or so). So I go in after spending three months begging for work and what happens? I am abused... "Over to Times Square, Bill!" OK! I do a downtown (first one in almost almost 18 months), finish in three hours (Easter Sunday, lots of out-of-town rubes driving their cars), go back to the office to catch my breath, and Aman says: "Over to Times Square, Bill!" Could I have a few minutes? "No! Over to Times Square, Bill!" OK! So I go to Times Square for the imagined "emergency" (always willing to help out Grayline when they have not figured out... etc, etc) thinking I must be desperately needed because of the lack of tourguides and the swarm of tourists. Guess what? Six tourguides cooling their heels at TSQ and NO tourists! Not even a bus for fifteen minutes. Same old story: rush, rush, rush, then to wait around in the cold for someone to show up (Rudy was there with his clipboard screwing things up of course). Tell me, oh Gods of sightseeing, Is the plan to piss off veteran (read: higher salaried) tourguides so they will walk out (I almost did) and then give GL NY Shortsightedseeing an excuse to terminate? ASIDE: at one point a guy dashed onto the bus, flashed his "ticket" and was half way up the stairs before I could ask to see his "ticket". He flashed again, I grabbed the "ticket", noticed the date and the notation "OK, Bobby", punched a hole in the "ticket" and sent him upstaris. He took notes for the rest of the trip. Company spy? Perhaps not, but he was wearing a "Murphy for President" badge. Well, to make a short story long, I finally did a downtown (three hours: Easter Sunday, lots of out-of-town rubes driving their cars) and at the end, got into a conversation with the driver (a new guy I had not met before). This guy had worked for CitySights and he told me that when he was engaged by Grayline (sometime around the recent TWU local 225 labor unrest) he was primed to believe that if the guides went on strike (which he was told was certain to occur) he and a bunch of other new hires would be doing the tours to "fill the gap" as he put it. I ask you... just what is going on? As if we didn't know. OK, so after working my 8 hours on Easter Sunday, willing to "help out" in an "emergency", I ask if there will be work in the coming week (spring break goes on for a few more days). Guess what? They don't even return my calls. Except to say get a fucking red jacket! I help them out (willingly) but they don't help me out. Say la vee. Or is it "gare"?

LET'S CHANGE THE ROUTE!

2009-04-09T20:43:00.005-04:00

Macy's and the planners of the Thanksgiving Day Parade have spent over 80 years perfecting the opening day of the Christmas Holiday shopping season. There have been some accidents, but by and large, the parade has long marched down Broadway through Times Square, "The Crossroads of the World", without incident (except for squealing kids from Teaneck). The primary reason for the route down Broadway, besides the fact that you can see the balloons coming from 25 blocks away, is that there are no sharp 90 degree turns. Such turns are an anathema for a marching band, not to mention a nightmare for a 100 foot helium filled balloon and its 50 or so handlers. Witness, every year in Pasadena, the chaos as the infamous Rose Parade tries to navigate the sharp turn (the only one, thank God) from Orange Grove Boulevard east onto Colorado (some bands give up and break ranks to keep up with the floats). As it is, the Macy's parade route, starting at 77th Street, going down Central Park West to Columbus Circle at 59th Street, making a soft turn onto Broadway, and then traveling all the way down to 34th Street, is virtually a straight shot. A piece of (very large) cake. Now, Mayor Bloomberg (Mike), in his infinite wisdom, is changing the route to Seventh Avenue with side trips to 59th Street, 42nd Street, and Sixth Avenue. There will now be four 90 degree turns, some to the right, some to the left. The chances for disaster are obvious. And what happens at Herald Square in front of Macy's where for many years, for the benefit for NBC and a nationwide television audience, the Macy logo has been painted on the asphalt, the marching bands play, the Rockettes strut their stuff and the Broadway stars lip-sync their latest cast recordings? Now we have a backdrop of the Victoria's Secret underwear store. Won't that be festive and in the spirit of Thanksgiving? And the reason for this change? To "protect" the Mayor's much vaunted pet project, the Times Square/Broadway pedestrian mall and outdoor seating area. Guess what? On a frigid Turkey Day morning, no one will be using the damn thing anyway. Perhaps if the Mayor insisted that the balloons be filled with hydrogen, that would warm things up just a little.

HOW MANY BUSES ARE THERE?

2009-04-07T06:54:00.002-04:00

I was standing down on lower Broadway on Palm Sunday morning working on a movie (actually a CBS pilot called "Back", starring Skeet Ulrich). From about 8:45 am to the time we wrapped at 1:30 pm, I counted a double-decker bus approximately every 6 to 7 minutes. In all over 50 buses passed by, some crowded, some not. CitiSights, Grayline, TaxiTours and some others. Sometimes they were bumper to bumper like a convoy. Some sped by Trinity Church at 40 miles per hour, some passed more slowly. The only time they paused was when the Palm Sunday procession moved from St. Paul's Chapel down to Trinity Church (with drums, incense, singing, palm fronds, priests and hippies... Oh, those Episcopalians!). In a seven hour period, I saw several tour guides numerous times. Two guides specifically I saw twice. Back to back with no break? The lines at Times Square must have been tremendous. Only one guide noticed me... Roger, bless his heart, pointed me out to his packed bus. At last, something new to babble about. Lots of cameras. "Hey, look at the homeless guy at Trinity Cemetery!" Hope you made some money Roger... give the homeless guy some cash, will you!

UPCOMING: APRIL FOOL'S DAY...

2009-03-26T11:03:00.002-04:00

Just a reminder... next Wednesday is April Fool's Day. That, in case you've forgotten, is when the tourguide sees his or her shadow and there will be six more weeks of "winter". Just get those bids in and good luck!

CAN JAMES FORETELL THE FUTURE... OR WHAT?

2009-03-23T19:01:00.009-04:00

The following comment was posted to this blog on January 22, 2009 by James Muessig. It's not exactly fortunetelling, but it's pretty close.

Herewith the comment:

"There are many tour guides that take professional pride in what they do. They study. They practice. They delight in the customer's delight. Then they are constantly reminded how little their employer cares about what they do or how they do it. At the end of the day, if your heart is beating and you walk up those stairs, that is all that Gray Line cares about. It is demoralizing. The frustrating thing is that the management seems bent on a death spiral competition with City Sights to see which company can hold the ticket price and give away more. We are supposed to be the pros on giving tours and the management is supposed to be the business people. But they are making awful decisions. The sick thing is that families would pay $10 more per person in a recessionary environment to have heated/air conditioned, and clean buses. They would pay for scratch free domes. They would pay not to be treated like cattle. They would pay not to stand on long lines. They would pay for a real tour, not what we can point out at 30mph. The market is there. Our management is blind. I am not saying this as an armchair quarterback. I started a bicycle shop almost two years ago in a competitive environment. There are five other stores in a square mile competing against us. But my partner and I decided in the beginning that we would rather deliver high quality customer service rather than chase the Walmart shopper. Revenues are up in a recession. The low end bike stores...two competitors we know of have folded. And I and other tour guides are putting our money where are mouths are and opening a small boutique tour business to see how high that ticket price can get for quality service. I cant understand how Gray Line can operate in Times Square and not see that their customers are spending $10 for popcorn and $25 for designer M & Ms and still not think that they will pay for a tour. James Stahl put it right...they even mention Captain Henry in the brochure but not their tour guides. On Board Tours mentions on their website that their tour guides' quality is what sets them apart from the competition. On Board Tours also is not giving away unlimited ridership for $50. If people are riding Gray Line buses on average seven times then that 50 dollar ticket is getting spit into $7 rides. Do the math. 55 seats times 7 equals $385. Lets say the seats flip on a downtown twice, maybe $800 per run.When those people with $50 tickets ride the night, uptown, Brooklyn there is little if any flip in seats. Now add up the cost of the buses, minimal maintenance, gas, customer service, ticket commissions, rents, healthcare, tour guides, advertising, administrative costs, and on and on. One dedicated downtown at $40 per one shot ticket is a $2000 pay day. Why does Grayline chase the $800 bus when the profit is in the $2000 bus? Why do they treat their tour guides like garbage when quality tour guides can fill the $2000 bus? How much lower can the standards get before someone wakes up? I imagine a lot lower. Because City Sights knows no depths, and Gray Line is willing to dive ever deeper plumbing those depths with them."

And herewith a follow up by James (as of yesterday, 3/23/2009):

"Management read it (the comment of 1/22/09). Took my advice and raised the ticket price. Mark at City Sights made them cancel the losing tours. I think Brooklyn remains for political reasons and CBS subsidizes the early show bus. Is Cloisters canceled too? They have done a great job reducing payroll. I bet you that they can run both companies with 120 guides complete. And its great marketing to have City Sights just a little cheaper. Like three grades of gasoline. It will be interesting to see what the third price point will be. I find it amazing that so many guides don't realize what has happened to them or what is in store for them."

HERE'S A QUESTION...

2009-03-22T11:09:00.002-04:00

A CitySights "manager" was alleged to have recently said: "...we see the tourguide as unskilled labor, just another body on the bus...". While Eva Lee reminds us (as always, on the cover page of the spring bid) that "...with your help and professionalism we can show our friends and visitors from all over the world the beauty of our great city." Now, which is it to be? Are we "unskilled" or "professional"? Which philosophy of the labor force will prevail? What will be the company attitude toward the tourguides in the new corporate arrangement (as if we didn't already suspect, indeed, already know)? What will most help the bottom line of the "joint venture"? The graffiti is on the restroom wall. Of course, being "professional" does not necessarily mean being "skilled" (just look at certain unnamed folks in certain unnamed management positions in certain unnamed organizations), although in the context mentioned that is the accepted interpretation. Something to be aware of as we stand in Times Square waiting for the hand of fate to select us for the next DT. And just remember this: The "friends and visitors from all over the world" do not see management and the corporate structure. They see us (and the bus). It is not a good idea to hire "unskilled labor" to tell these folks about "the beauty of our great city" (nor is it a good idea to offer them a dirty, poorly-maintained vehicle). A "professional" has studied for years to achieve the skills needed for the job at hand. Some tourguides ARE "unskilled" and most usually leave after a short time. But those of us who are "professional" (and not just in the context of being "paid") resent being treated as just "...another body on the bus."

REMEMBER WHEN?

2009-03-18T18:20:00.003-04:00

Those of you who attended a "meeting" with Jim Murphy (in the "Blue Diamond Theatre") just as CitySights was being proposed remember all too well his threat: and I quote..."if any of you go to work for the 'new company', you will not be welcomed back here at Gray Line..." How things do change... now we are "merging" with the dreaded "new company". Remember the forced confrontations between ticket sellers? Remember the "stealing" of parking spots? Remember the infantile attempts by Mr. Murphy to sabotage any and all of CitySights operations? Remember the lawsuit that forced CitySights to paint their buses blue? Remember those unjustified and capricious firings of GL employees who then were welcomed over at CitySights? I remember. Has Lee Gelber had the last word?

THOUGHTS FROM JAMES MUESSIG

2009-03-18T17:05:00.003-04:00

More seems clear now. One thing is certain. This joint venture would not have gone through if the Gray Line rat had stayed in Times Square. It also explains why Gray Line had to fire Andy after the contract was signed. It may explain why our Union local leadership has kept the rat hostage and refused to allow the employees to protest. Workers will have to consider that. What this means for the future. Hours will continue to diminish as will actual jobs. The synergies and efficiencies that Mr Souter referred to in the press release are our jobs. Greater efficiency will result in the need for less tour guides. City Sights guides are already concerned that they will come to work and find that their wages will be cut to the Gray Line pay scale. A City Sights manager explained their philosophy to one employee by saying, "We see tour guides as unskilled labor. Just another body on the bus." On the management front. With the Gray Line president with one foot in the grave it appears that Jim Murphy has been passed over for promotion. No big surprise there. Mark Marmustein from City Sights has been given the nod for a testing period. If all goes well he will end up running the entire show. The midlevel management should have job security for another year at both companies. However, as the integration continues, probably only half will make the cut and have permanent jobs. I'm sure anxious resumes are being prepared by the midlevel management of both companies. Employees at both companies who feel that they have been protected as a favorite of management now realize that their protectors are more at risk for keep their own jobs than the employees themselves. Employees who have seen their pay and hours diminished now know from the press release that Gray Line NY did this knowing that they had made a 17 million dollar profit last year. Ticket sellers must still be shocked that they agreed to a commission freeze just before Gray Line raised the ticket price. So now the question is what do we do? Our Union leadership says to do nothing. In two and a half years when this contract is over and the new tourist bus behemoth conglomerate announces that they are ending all healthcare benefits on top of a wage freeze, what will be the advice of our Union leadership? Will it be to sign the contract and not protest or complain, again? It's springtime, and 40% of bids are under 30 hours per week. There is not one single 40 hour bid. Are there still employees who don't see the hand writing on the wall? Do employees still think that if they say nothing and keep quiet they will maintain job security? Submitted for all employees to ponder. Remember,
BIG RAT!
FOR A RAT COMPANY!

RE: NON UNION SCUM AND THE 401K

2009-03-18T16:43:00.002-04:00

Here's a reason we need protection from greedy and shortsighted management (no, not Bernie Madoff, but it might as well be him): GL NY Shortsightedseeing has a plan to eliminate the 401 K plans of non-union employees... can the rest of us be next? Stand by to lose weight because of starvation, sell your belongings on eBay, clothes included, and get your barrel ready... appropriate shoulder straps also. Join the homeless and destitute.

CONSPIRACY TO ELIMINATE COMPETITION, REDUCE SERVICE AND LET SOMEONE ELSE PAY THE BILLS?

2009-03-18T14:52:00.001-04:00

TO: GRAY LINE EMPLOYEES
FROM: TOM LEWIS
SUBJECT: Joint Venture Between Gray Line Sightseeing & City Sights
EFFECTIVE DATE: MARCH 31, 2009

Gray Line Sightseeing is entering into a Joint Venture with City Sights effective March 31,2009. The Joint Venture will be called Twin America, LLC. We've put together the FAQ of what this means to you as a current employee.

Who is in charge of this Joint Venture? The president of the Joint Venture will be Mark Marmurstein. Tom Lewis will be the Senior Vice President of Tourism and Governmental Affairs.

Who do I work for? You will continue to work for Gray Line.

What if I work on the NYU or St. John's contract? NYU & St. John's employees will not be impacted by the Joint Venture.

Will there be any changes in my reporting structure? The current Gray Line Management Team will remain in place; we do not anticipate changes in any reporting structures.

What will happen to the Gray Line Buses? Gray Line will continue to function under the Gray Line emblem.

NON-UNION EMPLOYEES:

Are my benefits changing? We have verified with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ (Medical), Aetna, Inc. (DMO), Delta Dental (Dental PPO), EyeMed VisionCare (Vision) and Hartford (Life & Disability) that we can continue to offer the same level of benefits to our employees with the same network access for the next plan year (through March 31, 2010).

Are my per paycheck contributions changing? As outlined during Open Enrollment, your employee contributions are increasing effective 4/1/09 and will remain in effect for the next 12 months. The change in contributions is unaffected by the Joint Venture.

I recently made some Open Enrollment Changes. What will happen to my new elections? Your new elections have already been sent to the carriers for 4/1/09. They will be honored and are unaffected by the Joint Venture.

What about my 401 (k)? As of 3/31/2009 you will no longer be able to contribute to the 401(k) Plan. A solution is being pursued for those individuals with loans.

What about my vesting in the employer match? Employees who are currently unvested will be 100% vested in the employer contributions made to the Plan.

Will the Workers' Compensation coverage change? This coverage, as required by state law will not change and is unaffected by the Joint Venture.

UNION EMPLOYEES:

All aspects of your employment will be governed by the appropriate collective bargaining agreement.

THINGS TO COME?

2009-03-18T09:43:00.006-04:00

This just in... a foreshadowing of a "take over"? A conspiracy? A feud ending? Just what does this mean? Many of us suspected that GL NY Sights would someday absorb all others in a move toward monopoly control... but cooperation? One wonders... what is a "joint venture" anyhow?

Sightseeing joint venture in New York

Stagecoach Group plc ("the Group") is pleased to announce that today it entered into an agreement to create a new joint venture to operate the sightseeing services of the Group's Gray Line New York business and the business of CitySights NY. The Group's North American Division operates a successful sightseeing business in New York City, trading as Gray Line New York. Gray Line New York operates double decker bus, motorcoach and trolley bus tours of New York City and the surrounding area as well as other related services. The Group has agreed to enter into a joint venture with CitySights NY, which also operates sightseeing bus services in and around New York City. The Group and CitySights NY will contribute vehicles, licenses and certain other assets to the Joint Venture. In return, the Group will hold 50% of the voting rights and 60% of the economic rights in the Joint Venture with CitySights NY holding the remaining voting rights and economic rights. The Joint Venture, Twin America, LLC, is expected to commence trading from 31 March 2009. The new Joint Venture will operate services under both the Gray Line and CitySights brands and will be the leading provider of sightseeing bus services in New York. A Board of Directors, including representatives from both shareholders, will oversee the Joint Venture. Mark Marmustein will be the Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Venture and will lead the day-to-day management of the business. The Joint Venture will deliver a number of benefits: Customers will benefit from a good quality, high value, and better co-ordinated service with a range of products to choose from. A better co-ordinated service should reduce road congestion at certain points and enhance the value of the tours. The Joint Venture will benefit from cost savings and other synergies that arise from combining the two existing businesses to the extent permitted by existing contractual arrangements and other business considerations. The gross assets that the Group will contribute to the Joint Venture had a net book value of US$22.5m at 28 February 2009 and the gross assets that CitySights NY will contribute to the Joint Venture had a net book value of US$6.1m at 28 February 2009. In addition, US$45.1m of the Group's reported goodwill relates to Gray Line New York. For the year ended 30 April 2008, Gray Line New York contributed US$17.3m to the Group's operating profit. For the 12 months ended 31 January 2009, CitySights NY reported an operating profit of US$8.7m. More recent trading in the New York sightseeing market has been adversely affected by poor economic conditions and a weaker tourist market characterised by reduced hotel occupancy rates and lower airline traffic. The Group will present its 60% share of profit after tax from the Joint Venture in its consolidated income statement and the operating profit of the Group's North American Division will no longer include the operating profit of the Gray Line New York operations. Brian Souter, Chief Executive, Stagecoach Group, said: "We are delighted to have created a partnership of two powerful brands that will be the leading provider of sightseeing services in New York. "This new joint venture will allow us to deliver a more coordinated service to our customers, who will have access to a high-quality, good value range of sightseeing products. Both businesses will also benefit from a number of synergies, which will make our collective operations more efficient and give us a strong platform for the future."

NO MORE...

2009-03-16T20:05:00.002-04:00

So, there is no more Heritage Tour (so much for our heritage), no more Discover Staten Island Tour (just when Staten Island is being "rediscovered" by such minor organizations as The Metropolitan and City Opera Companies, the NY Times, NY One TV, and Justin Ferrate), and no more Cloisters/Harlem Tour (just as people were getting interested... no thanks to GL NY's publicity department). Madame Alexander would be PISSED!

THE REDCOATS ARE COMING!

2009-03-01T08:35:00.004-05:00

For those of you who remember Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, the new mandated red jacket uniform for tour guides brings with it a sharp jolt of nostalgia. The infamous Guru, who set up shop in Oregon, was noted for owning dozens of Roll-Royce automobiles, and dressing his followers all in red. So ubiquitous were his disciples around the state, that Avis Rent-a-Car employees at Portland's airport were forced to change their uniforms (which were red) so they wouldn't be mistaken for Rajneeshies trying to hustle travelers for contributions. The regulation dealing with solicitors at airports was inspired by these events in Portland. Are the leaders of GL NY Shortsightedseeing actually secret Buddhist Monks? Or, as seems more likely, are they really British Redcoats, or Canadian Mounties in disguise? Are they out to win the Revolutionary War all these many years after the actual event... or maybe they just want us to be more visible when we stand up on the bus. Actually, I think the red coats are REALLY cool! And when we hit our heads on the low-hanging traffic lights, the blood won't show.

FROM MANAGEMENT: A REWARD!

2009-01-23T18:23:00.005-05:00

The latest from upstairs (so it is rumored)... GL NY Management, in an effort to appease the employees (union members... they don't give a fuck about appeasing non-union employees), have announced the HAT-TRICK AWARD...

And the criteria for the HAT-TRICK AWARD are:

Tourguides: Give three back-to-back runs in three hours from three different locations on three different buses with three different drivers on three different loops for three consecutive days (without a potty break). This requirement stipulates that the tourguide's hole-punch is non-standard and his/her time sheet is unreadable and/or lost.

Ticket Agents: Sell three all-loops tickets to three members of three different families from three different foreign countries at three different locations in a three minute time frame for three consecutive days (and do not claim a commission and/or minimum for three months). This requirement stipulates that the ticket agent's hand-held computer does NOT work.

Drivers: Drive three back-to-back runs on three different buses from three different locations with three different tourguides on three different loops in three hours for three consecutive days (without taking any of the buses out-of-service). This requirement stipulates that the air-conditioning, heating, defrosters, and sound system on the bus do NOT work.

Rules and definitions:
1): A "loop" must include (but is not limited to) at least three of the following: Brooklyn, Night, Holiday Lights, Cloisters, Plaza, Woodbury Commons, Niagara Falls, Uptown, Manhattan Comprehensive, Show Biz Insiders, Downtown, Six Flags.

2): A "location" must include (but is not limited to) at least three of the following: 41st and B'Way, Plaza, Port Authority, Sheraton, Times Square, Madame Alexander, 47th and 8th, Waldorf, South Street Seaport, Battery Park and Lincoln Tunnel.

3): Each "loop" and/or "location" grouping of three MUST include at least three Staten Island loops and/or locations.

4): The time spent in transit on the Staten Island Ferry and the time spent in hanging around the waiting rooms of the ferry terminal is to be included in the overall "three hour" time limit.

5): No "location" may be within three mile radius of any other "location".

6): No "loop" may start in any area that is geographically or in any other way similar to the starting area of any other "loop".

7): If the employee lives within a three hour travel time of the "location" of the employee's first assignment of the day, travel time will be calculated as being in fact three hours and will be included in the three hour time limit of the employee's assignment. If the employee does not live within a three hour traveling time from the "location" of the employee's first assignment of the day, each additional three minutes of travel time will be multiplied by the time anyone else spends to get to their "location". Each employee's actual "on-duty" time plus "travel time" will be considered in determining the employee's "time spent" in performing his/her assignment and will by compounded annually by a factor of three. The cumulative/aggregate "travel time" plus a minimum three hour "travel time" will be added to the employee's "three hour" time limit. This three hour period is a "minimum". There is no "maximum" except at the discretion of the Management. If the sum of all the employee's "work" hours and "travel" hours exceeds three hours, the employee is considered to be in violation of the rules and will not win a HAT-TRICK AWARD. This condition is "non-negotiable".

8): If the employee exceeds the "three hour" time limit for any reason whatsoever, the employee will not only be denied the opportunity to win a HAT-TRICK AWARD, but will be executed and his/her body placed on a pike at the entrance to 777 Eighth Avenue as a caution to other would-be recalcitrant employees.

9): NYU Drivers are not eligible for the HAT-TRICK AWARD.

What will the HAT-TRICK AWARD be? A good puck!

ME? NEGATIVE? NOT CONSTRUCTIVE? SURELY, YOU JEST!

2009-01-22T12:19:00.003-05:00

Don't call me Shirley!
Several people have told me (mostly anonymously via comments to this blog and notes stuck under my door or dropped from hot air balloons) that I am being negative, destructive, not helpful, and am just bitching for the sake of bitching... As those of you who know me even slightly are aware, I am sure, I just don't complain for the sake of complaining when things are not to my liking (or anyone else's). I have many constructive suggestions for various leaders of certain sightseeing bus companies to consider. If you want to know what my suggestions are, thumb back over the past posts of this blog (under "archives" to screen right), and you will find, made with varying degrees of subtlety, many suggestions (some good, some trivial, some outrageous) to improve the quality and efficiency (and consequently profits) of GL NY Shortsightedseeing. Most of these suggestions offered during the span of time I have been with GL NY are based on my own experience as a production manager, operations manager, and tour director for various organizations in the entertainment business. You may say: "What the fuck does show business have to do with operating a sightseeing company?" More than one would at first assume. Try me. This is not rocket science. That is why the rocket scientists in charge have no clue. As someone once said (Groucho, I think): "A four-year-old child could do this... Go out and get me a four-year-old child, will you!"

A NOTE TO EVA FOR ALL TO SEE...

2009-01-19T22:11:00.004-05:00

Eva... Please don't blame Hal for the post "Emergency situations"... it was me, your host, the creator and administrator of this blog (and who has the ability to delete any comment such as yours BEFORE it is posted... but I don't (and didn't) because I believe in free speech AND avoidance of slander and libel... unlike some other folks who "hate life" and run companies). If I got my facts wrong about the alleged Grayline response "Do they have tickets?" I am truly sorry for "offending" YOU. And yes, of course, I wasn't working for this esteemed company in 2001... (I was in Cairo during the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack... that's an experience!) but when I heard the "Do they have tickets?" story, it was VERY easy to believe since it echoed the utterly extreme, avaricious and callous attitude of GL NY management that I had already observed. This attitude extended and continues to extend toward drivers, guides, tourists, normal human beings, and anyone else who does not occupy the 777 third floor executive suite. And please don't berate me for evoking "9/11". Let's not be sentimental about the event. And let us not be hypocritical either, shall we? After all, many Grayline tourguides (and lots of GL NY Shortsightedseeing publicity releases) exploit "9/11" for all it's worth. I do not. I'm sorry, but the very mention of the catch phrase "9/11" sets my teeth on edge. Shorthand for such a monumental event is an obscene trivialization, and perhaps in the long run, in the attitude implied, WORSE than the event itself. The exploitation of the World Trade Center attack is NOT my bag. Even though we stop at the WTC site (to exploit "9/11") for the foolish tourists who want to say they were there and want to try to become a piece of history and who insist on calling it "ground zero" like all the other idiots who don't know what "Ground Zero" really is, even though we stop at "ground zero", those of us who were there and/or nearby and walked around in the ashes and dust, and (as you say) tried to help out any way we could, we do NOT exploit it. I am offended that you would accuse the authors of this blog of exploiting the World Trade Center attack. We are pointing out (ad nauseum, it would appear) the weaknesses and numerous failings of GL NY... real or imagined... and if imagined, quite believably real, and if not real, certainly, as Tennessee Williams would say, quite in character.

THANKS TO EVA FOR SETTING US ALL STRAIGHT... THOSE OF US WHO "HATE LIFE"

2009-01-19T22:06:00.001-05:00

Guys, I don't like to comment here because inside of coherent information we read the ranting and raving of people that just hate life.............but when it comes to 9-11 Please don't re-invent History. Mr. Basnight, who is a personal friend of mine, called me when those people were asking for a ride and I instructed him to load the bus with everyone and anyone. I met that bus at the Port and I was with Mr. Cowand as he cried after his adrenaline rush. Do not use or misuse 9-11. You offend me and everyone who was here and did something to try to help that day. Andy, Please tell the truth about Mr. Cowand and Jeff. This response just was in poor judgement. Hal You didn't even work here then - What are you playing- the telephone game- Come on. 9-11- SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!
Eva M. Lee

THE NOW NO-LONGER-ANONYMOUS DRIVER AND TOUR GUIDE FROM 9-11... THANKS TO ANDY FOR THIS INFORMATION...

2009-01-17T22:21:00.001-05:00

Let them be anonymous no longer. The driver and tour guide who made the "unauthorized pick-up" of 9/11 refugees were Jeff Bassknight and Sigmund Cowan. Their bus had passed under the second plane as it hit the south tower.

Jeff later became a union officer, representing the NYU drivers after he was transferred over there. Sigmund was terminated from the company on a trumped-up charge. (He was a "trouble-maker" filing over a hundred grievances.)

Jeff later left the company after a personal breakdown. I lost contact with him, and don't know where he is today. Sigmund had a great many financial and health problems, and last spring took his own life.

--Andy Sydor

PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING...

2009-01-17T21:49:00.004-05:00

Some years back, I was quite moved by a television commercial... it's not often that happens... but anyway... this commercial has stayed with me and has become sort of a motto with me...

SOUND:
Music, loud noises of the sea crashing about... men shouting...

FADE IN: BERING SEA, NIGHT:
In a wild and stormy sea with waves crashing across the fantail, a fishing boat in the middle of the Bering Sea, staffed by slicker-coated fishermen, writhing, twisting, hauling their catch aboard its pitching deck, plows through the churning waters. The scene is one of incredible action and bravery. Wave after wave crashes across the deck as net after net of marine life is brought over the side and stored in the freezers below. In the middle of all of this chaos, as the music swells and the sound of the raging sea becomes louder, a simple line of type appears in the center of the screen: "People who know what they're doing bring you Alaskan Seafood"...

FADE OUT

Ever since then, I have used that line as a criteria for almost everything. Movies, traffic, reality TV shows... I thought of it the other day as Captain Sullenberger brought his stricken Airbus down into the Hudson River. And I think of it often when I am trying to figure out the theory behind the Management of Grayline NY Sightseeing. Except, of course, in the completely opposite way. These people really do not know what they're doing!

ONE THING WE SHOULD ALL DO...

2009-01-17T21:47:00.001-05:00

Captain Sullenberger did one thing we can all do... walk up and down the aisles to make sure the bus is empty before we send it back to Hoboken. A small thing, but manys the time when buses have been sent through the Lincoln tunnel with tourists on the top deck!

This Miracle Brought to You by America's Unions

2009-01-17T21:31:00.011-05:00

For the whole article, click on EmptyWheel/FireDogLake over under "helpful links" :

They're calling it a miracle--the successful landing of a US Airways jet in the Hudson and subsequent rescue of all 155 passengers. They're detailing the heroism of all involved, starting with the pilot and including cabin crew, ferry crews, and first responders. What they're not telling you is that just about every single one of these heros is a union member.

There's the pilot:

What might have been a catastrophe in New York — one that evoked the feel if not the scale of the Sept. 11 attack — was averted by a pilot's quick thinking and deft maneuvers.

On board, the pilot, Chesley B. Sullenberger III, 57, unable to get back to La Guardia, had made a command decision to avoid densely populated areas and try for the Hudson.

When all were out, the pilot walked up and down the aisle twice to make sure the plane was empty, officials said.

Sullenberger is a former national committee member and the former safety chairman for the Airline Pilots Association and now represented by the US Airline Pilots Association. He--and his union--have fought to ensure pilots get the kind of safety training to pull off what he did yesterday.

Then there are the flight attendants:

One passenger, Elizabeth McHugh, 64, of Charlotte, seated on the aisle near the rear, said flight attendants shouted more instructions: feet flat on the floor, heads down, cover your heads.

They are members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Yesterday's accident should remind all of us that flight attendants are first and foremost safety professionals--they should not be treated like cocktail waitresses.

There are the air traffic controllers:

The pilot radioed air traffic controllers on Long Island that his plane had sustained a "double bird strike."

They're represented by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Someday, they'll rename National Airport for the work these men and women do to keep us safe in the air.

There are the ferry crews:

As the first ferry nudged up alongside, witnesses said, some passengers were able to leap onto the decks. Others were helped aboard by ferry crews.

They're represented by the Seafarers International Union. They provide safety training to their members so they're prepared for events like yesterday's accident.

There are the cops and firemen:

Helicopters brought wet-suited police divers, who dropped into the water to help with the rescues.

They're represented by the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association and the Uniformed Firefighters Association and Uniformed Fire Officers Association (IAFF locals).They're the men and women who performed so heroically on 9/11--and they've been fighting to make sure first responders get the equipment to do this kind of thing.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS...

2009-01-17T10:52:00.005-05:00

Not necessarily in reaction to the situation in the Hudson River on Thursday, but I was thinking... who is it that gets to react in an emergency? Is it the corporate bigwigs... is it the lawyers, the bookeepers, and the other bean counters and supervisors...? No! It is the WORKERS! On almost every occasion when on-the-spot action is called for (what ever the reason), it is the working slob who does the dirty work. A letter in the Times today lays it all out: Management gets the gravy and gives the shit to the employees. Cut hours, cut wages, lay-offs, and all the rest. Taking credit is what management does best. The pilots and crews, the ferry captains and crews, the tugboat crews, the divers, all WORKED, while the honchos stood on their balconies and in their offices wringing their hands watching live TV and peeking at their stock market quotes. It always the same. I'm quite sure that after all the hullabaloo is over Captain Sullenberger will be among the first to be laid off in the next big airline merger. And the Waterways staff who rescued 145 people from the icy waters? Will they be reprimanded for going "off-route" during the approach to rush hour? Will they be forgotten while Waterways ("New York's Leading Sightseeing Company") gets a medal and a hike in their fares and stock prices? And with our pitiful little company... Gray Line? It is the same story. Any crises, any emergency (albeit trivial compared to Captain Sullenberger's experience) will be handled by the scum of the earth: the people on the street and in the buses. But management will take the credit (if they even notice) and ignore the sometimes trivial but always heroic behaviour of us! Case in point (although with a former management staff... but of course, nothing has changed): On the morning of September 11, 2001, a GL NY tour bus was heading back uptown. Approaching the WTC as it was being attacked, there were seen many, many people anxious to get the hell out of there and travel north away from Wall Street. They wanted to climb aboard the empty bus. A call was made to the office (big mistake) requesting instructions as to what to do with all these distressed human beings... after the office made a quick check of the "Standard GL NY Operating Procedures Handbook" the answer came: "Do they have tickets?" The crew on the bus took the people on board anyway (as many as they could) and delivered them to relative safety. The aftermath? Management was accorded a hero, and the tourguide and driver (THEY didn't do it for "credit" and/or tips) forever remained anonymous. So the advice from me to you is this: Do your job to the best of your ability, remember you are in the service business, be ready for any and all emergencies (however trivial they may seem), don't tell anyone until the crises is resolved, and above all, DON'T CALL RUDY!

JOB ACTIONS?

2009-01-17T09:32:00.004-05:00

There have been a few suggestions floating around about some sort of "by-the-book" "slowdown"... good idea, but ONLY if everyone does it. It will be a subtle method of catching the attention of "those guys" up stairs. But of course, they just may LOVE the idea of "by-the-book"! What do they care about the quality of the tours, anyway? (Remember, virtually EVERY procedure instigated by management is arbitrary and capricious... done just for the sake of doing something... and virtually ALL of those procedures are counterproductive and irrelevant) In any event, this MUST be done in an orderly way: fully coordinated and consistent.

A MUSING FROM BOGAISKY...

2009-01-14T22:05:00.002-05:00

Bogaisky David wrote:
Lets face it - our employer does not love us - we are their peons - to labor and to render maximum profit to their till - We of course having pride in our mission - to uplift and edify our customers - while we as well profit to the maximum by our efforts - and how do we get back at our shadowy host - why we run by the rules - totally - we STOP at every stop indicated - all tickets are EXAMINED - we have to unfold them ; sort them out - winnow the red hot summer sales and buffet discount atop the Marriott - from the boarding passes - (maybe our venerable management idiots will come up with a more functional ticketing process ) all of which should slow things up - now maybe that is not constructive at this time of year - and maybe it could be counterproductive to those on a two second timeframe between loops - but that definitely is a small tactic that is a getem up the old wazoo --

In fond fellowship;
David (not davis) Bogaisky

"TOUR GUIDE DISPATCH DESK"

2009-01-14T14:03:00.004-05:00

Mac's voice is still answering the phone when you dial Gray Line Ext #104. Glenn Miller's Orchestra ("Pennsylvania six, five, oh, oh, oh") is still answering the phone at the Hotel Pennsylvania... The Hotel is slated to be torn down and replaced... GL NY Shortsightedseeing is slated to be...? A coincidence? Any others?

I JUST LOVE RUMORS (EVEN IF THEY ARE JOKES)

2009-01-13T11:01:00.002-05:00

OR MAYBE IT ISN'T A JOKE: Grayline NY sold to Disney... uniform requirement: Mickey Mouse Hats and/or full character costumes (like Captain Henry the Duck). This just might be an improvement over what we have now. Will Michael Eisner be an improvement over Rudy?

LOCKERS

2009-01-13T06:48:00.003-05:00

Too: All Tour Guides
From: Eva Lee
Jan. 6 2008

Please be advised that all lockers will be cleaned
on Monday January 19th, 2009.  You will need to
take your personal belongings out of the lockers
by Sunday January 18th, 2009.  All lockers with a
closed lock on Jan 19th, 2009 will be clipped.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

FRENCH REVOLUTION (REVELATION)

2009-01-13T06:35:00.005-05:00

TODAY OUR COLLEAGUE ANTONIO FERREIRA, ITALIAN SPANISH TOUR GUIDE DECIDED TO QUIT AFTER 11 YEARS WITH THE COMPANY. He simply refuses to wear the infamous red jacket that we are all forced to wear ( I guess to prevent us from catching cold and to advertise for the divine company we work for). He was told by Eva Lee to go upstairs and get measured, he refused and simply walked away, leaving Italian tourists without a tour for the day. Let's see how they are going to solve this one!. Nicoletta Agguccioni had an operation, she's going to be away for weeks and Luigi Zamperon, the other Italian Spanish tour guide, fed up once and for all with the company (NUMBER 2 DOWN THE SENIORITY LIST BTW) is lucky enough to have reached the retirement age and that's exactly what he's doing. I also heard of people in customer service being fired, it's all a massacre! It feels like we are living in the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution and to quote Lady Bracknell from "The Importance of Being Ernest", "I presume you know what that unfortunate movement led to".
I assume that the Robespierre at Grayline is Rudy (who stands out as an idiot even in this company full of idiots) so let's hope that, like in the French Revolution, his own head will roll under the guillotine and we all will be able to breathe again. I doubt it. I don't know if they are doing this on purpose to run the company into bankruptcy as a write off for the Scots but I seriously think we should be looking for other jobs. For those who will be sticking around, well, it's sad to say it but many will move two steps up in their seniority, Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Gantoledo

COMPANY COMMITS SUICIDE?

2009-01-11T13:16:00.003-05:00

I wonder at this company. No one begrudges it from wanting to be successful (ie: make a profit) that's what most business try to do. Most companies consider their workers (at least minimally) as assets... as partners in the company's quest for success. But to capriciously and arbitrarily get rid of the most experienced personnel; the best workers; some of the people who have done their best to make this company successful; to de facto "lay off" some of their best people; to go out of the way to cut corners and squeeze their employees and customers; this is what GL NY Shortsightedseeing does. Not only do I wonder, but the mind actually boggles (maybe that's the cause of my recurring vertigo and irregular heartbeat). Now, what do I hear at 777? Just a little while ago, a memo from GL NY Shortsightedseeing management: "clean out your lockers"... GL NY Shortsightedseeing supervisory personnel in a conversation stating (so all could hear): "...the union has no choice! The union has NO choice..." But here's the good news for all you "good little boys and girls", another memo: "...for all who have a winter bid, a $225 voucher for a winter coat...". This is to wear on the bread line while scanning the gutters for cigarette butts.
All this leads to the inevitable conclusion: GL NY Shortsightedseeing's management is on the path to self-imposed, corporate suicide: Make all the money you can in order to shore up British Rail, and just before the anticipated economic implosion, sell for a profit to some poor, unsuspecting slob who will then have the dubious pleasure of watching certain people take the money and run to their vacation homes, their yachts, their Waldorf weekends and their mistresses. I only hope that the new owners (who ever they might be) have a even slightly different point of view. They might even keep some of us. Wouldn't that be a kick? As for myself, I have a job interview tomorrow... as an apple seller down on the Bowery!

NEWS IN THE PIPELINE...

2009-01-10T22:48:00.001-05:00

Just got an email saying that Mac was fired today...

MORE ON THE FORCES OF TYRANNY ... AND MISTER ROBERTS...

2009-01-10T16:08:00.005-05:00

Another perhaps relevant excerpt from the final scene of "Mister Roberts" (funny how the theatre has always been a champion of the the underdog and the lost causes in this world, but at the same time, how we stand up at the end of a play or a film and yell "Right on! That could be me!")

In a letter to his former crew mates, Roberts writes:

"... Doc, I've caught up with that task force that passed me by. I'm glad to be here. I had to be here, I guess. But I'm thinking now of you, Doc, and you, Frank, and Dolan and Dowdy and Insigna and everyone else on that bucket -- all the guys everywhere who sail from Tedium to Apathy and back again -- with an occasional side trip to Monotony. This is a tough crew on here, and they have a wonderful battle record. But I've discovered that the most terrible enemy of this war is the boredom that eventually becomes a faith and, therefore, a sort of suicide -- and I know now that the ones who refuse to surrender to it are the strongest of all.
Right now, I'm looking at something that's hanging over my desk: a preposterous hunk of brass attached to the most bilious piece of ribbon I've ever seen. I'd rather have it than the Congressional Medal of Honor. It tells me what I'll always be proud of -- that at a time when courage counted most, I lived among a hundred and sixty-seven brave men."

Inspired by this letter from Mister Roberts and learning that he has just been killed in action, the mousy Ensign Pulver becomes a MAN. He throws the Captain's palm trees overboard, bangs on the Captain's cabin door, and yells:

"Captain, it is I, Ensign Pulver, and I just threw your fuckin' palm trees overboard! Now what's all this crap about no movies tonight?"

Isn't it about time that we banged on someone's door and yelled?

COMPETENCY

2009-01-08T23:53:00.002-05:00

There are (it seems to me) a couple kinds of competency at GL NY Shortsightedseeing. (BTW, we are not going to discuss in this post the most prevalent type of executive suite personnel: the INcompetent.) The most obvious variety of competency (for those few who have competency) amongst upper and middle management personnel are those quite obviously competent persons who are also ass kissers who want to succeed at GL NY Shortsightedseeing and will do anything (despite their obvious competency at their jobs) to achieve that success. These persons, while they are indeed competent (some more so than others), undermine the validity of their own competency by the very act of kissing ass in their quest for success . These persons are more to be pitied than scorned, for they are lost, misguided souls who will burn in hell for their transgressions.
The other kind of competent person working at the middle and upper level of management is a person who does their job, who knows how to do their job, gets along with their workers and the people for whom they are responsible, and does NOT kiss ass. In fact these competent persons are competent not only because they do their job but also because they do NOT kiss ass. They do their job because they WANT to do their job. These people are doomed to have a truncated career at GL NY Shortsightedseeing because to continue in any kind of supervisory position at GL NY Shortsightedseeing one must KISS ASS!
The history of GL NY Shortsightedseeing is replete with many examples of this kind of person. People who "know too much" to be tolerated by the nincompoops who run GL NY Shortsightedseeing. Do I need to name names..? You all know who they are. Some of them were at the birth of double-deck busdom. Many of them are happily working at CitiSights and some of them even say "hello" to us as we are struggling to TRY to do OUR jobs. So... in case you needed any hint of what comes next... to all of the competent ass kissers who are destroying GL NY Shortsightedseeing: KISS MY ASS!

P.O.ed TOUR GUIDE SEZ:

2009-01-08T22:37:00.006-05:00

I just got your latest post on my blackberry and I have to say that things have just gone into 'wonderland' at GLNY from what I have been reading over the past few days.

It is obvious that Grey Line management has embarked on a campaign of harassment and ham-handed intimidation.

Of course, any common thinking person can see that Andy is being screwed publicly. But, it is also obvious that Andy will eventually be allowed back to work because the case against him is a crock. Nonetheless, during the intervening months Andy will be the 'head on a pike' warning all others to behave while within the city limits of GL town.

DRAMATIC PARALLEL ... LIFE IMITATING ART...

2009-01-08T21:58:00.005-05:00

Last night I was watching "Mister Roberts" the great WW2 movie with Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon, James Cagney, and William Powell. Adapted from the Broadway play by Josh Logan and Thomas Heggen (at the Alvin Theatre, now the Neil Simon Theatre, in case you're taking notes). There is a scene in which an argument takes place between Roberts (Fonda) and the Captain (Cagney). It reminded me of the dispute between GL management and us dysfunctional tour guides. The Captain has spitefully threatened to punish the entire crew because of his dispute with Roberts... This is the speech which reminded me of Murphy, Rudy and Munoz:

Roberts to the Captain:
"How did you get in the Navy? How did you get on our side? You're what I joined to fight against. You ignorant, arrogant, ambitious.... jackass! Keeping a hundred and sixty-seven men in prison because you got a palm tree for the work they did. I don't know which I hate worse -- you or that other malignant growth that stands outside your door! How did you ever get command of a ship? I realize that in wartime they have to scrape the bottom of the barrel, but where the hell did they scrape you up?"

Are you listening, Brian Souter?

MAYBE IT'S JUST ME...

2009-01-08T21:05:00.002-05:00

As a point of fact... many times during my incarceration at GL NY Shortsightedseeing, I have been asked to do a back 2 back... sometimes more than once a day... whenever I refused (like in David's situation) I was accommodated. Maybe it was the tear in my eye or my wheezing and limp and the use of a cane that was the deciding factor (at least I wasn't sent off to take a drug test from Dr Strangelove.) In any event, the reaction by dispatchers to such refusals is totally arbitrary and capricious. When Andy refused the other day, it was hardly a "busy" day. On busy days, any of us would feel like helping out and would accommodate a overwhelmed dispatcher. I have done it to help out Shelia down at South Street... in fact, I once did 5 back 2 back Brooklyns when management didn't provide enough buses and/or drivers/tour guides. I was happy to help Sheila out. But did anyone besides Shelia thank me? Was there any appreciation from management for my help in getting them out of a jam? Did anyone care? It was a long day for me (10.5 hours without a break) and the reaction of the company was to short my paycheck that week. But management seems to have over reacted in Andy's case... Why? Is he not our shop steward? Would this not send a message to the recalcitrant guide staff? Think about it, those of you who voted for the contract and are in bed with management. Something else to think about: When we do "good", no one cares... When we do "bad", all hell breaks loose. Is management paranoid, or what?

KAREN ON "FINES"

2009-01-08T20:59:00.002-05:00

As a point of info, it is my understanding from the NLRB
that if the company is found to have committed an unfair
labor practice, they are NOT fined.   they are required to
post the letter of findings in the case and can be made to
correct, restore, adjust their policy but there is no outright
"fine".

STUART: STRIKE FUND?

2009-01-08T20:57:00.000-05:00

I am not working during the winter so I do not see people.
I think the idea of a collection is a good one.
We should be collecting a strike fund as well.

DAVE BOGAISKY SAYS (RE: BACK 2 BACK):

2009-01-08T20:48:00.015-05:00

I also refused the same dance about a month ago - present
on the  sidelines - our mighty man murphy; and juan
gonzales - and not a whimper; not a growl towards me. Why
were they so forgiving.

We do not know when the appeal hearing date is set for -
however in the interim why not let us share andy's pain -
LET US WHO ARE AT WORK DURING THAT PERIOD
SELF TAX OUR SELVES AND GATHER DAILY A
COLLECTION TO MAKE UP FOR ANDY'S LOST PAY ?????
and as well let us agree collectively as well not to
do back to back runs if the situation warrants that
stance lawfully by contract.

HERE'S AN INTERESTING EXCHANGE BETWEEN STUART AND HAL:

2009-01-08T20:12:00.015-05:00

STUART: It is true that those who get fired are the
competent.

HAL:
Stuart, we need to LIGHT A FIRE UNDER SOMEONE'S
ASS AT THE UNION!
Just what are we paying dues for? First they don't show
up at long planned meeting with the International Union.
Now you tell me that they are not following through with
the NLRB.
They had NO STRATEGY AT THE CONTRACT TABLE
TO DEAL WITH GRAY LINE.
I didn't get MY BALLOT TO VOTE ON THE CONTRACT
TILL THE NIGHT BEFORE IT WAS DUE TO BE
RETURNED TO NEW JERSEY.
TELL ME OTHER THAN COLLECTING $8.00 a week from
each one of us, JUST WHAT DOES THIS UNION DO?
I was shocked to hear that Derrick the most Capable and
Fair Dispatcher at Gray Line has been FIRED!!!!!!!
Supposedly he let other dispatchers leave early on
New Years Eve.
That was a SHOCKER!

STUART:
At some point we will probably demonstrate with
information pickets in the spring. Our union local
225 (Padilla) is not following through in the NLRB
issue.
Thanks for the support.

HAL:
I wrote to Andy earlier this evening. He has certainly
been through an awful lot in the last few months.
But he feels: that we will all come out of this
STRONGER. I pray he is correct.
Hopefully we will hear from the NLRB and some stiff
FINES FOR GRAY LINE.

WHERE IS OUR "UNION"? IN VEGAS?

2009-01-07T08:59:00.006-05:00

Is anyone surprised? Did this not have a foretelling? Where is our AFL-CIO leadership... Going to Las Vegas to congratulate the Bunko Dealers? What kind of transportation work is card dealing? I would like a nice vacation in Vegas too. Remember Slim Pickins' line in "Dr Strangelove"? And I quote: "... A guy could have a pretty good time in Vegas with all this stuff..." A few minutes later ol' Slim is on his way to doomsday riding on a H-bomb... "Yahoo!" Will this happen to TWU workers? Are we going to be sacrificed because of a stuck bomb bay door...? Wait and see. My "congradulations" to Mr. Murphy and the executive suite guys at GL NY Shortsightedseeing... Thou hast won round two (out of 3 rounds?) Wait and see.

RE: ANDY FROM JAMES

2009-01-07T08:46:00.002-05:00

For many years Andy has worked hard on our behalf. Why don't we all send RedMenace@aol.com an email pledging our support. Andy is still our Shop Steward regardless of Mr Murphy's actions. I imagine that Gray Line assumes that if they fire Andy that our demonstrations will stop. I believe that is exactly why we should continue our demonstrations. Of course we need the support of our Union leadership to continue, and we will meet at the International later in the month to secure that support. But one thing we can do tonight, is drop an email Andy's way thanking him for his efforts and letting him know that we will continue to fight for what is right. Do any of us think that after working two tours we don't need a short break before doing a third? Where is this all going? Where will it end, if we do not stop this? In two years and ten months when this contract is up why will management offer to continue making contributions to our members healthcare plan? Why should they? What is to stop them? Does anyone still think that the management of Gray Line cares one iota for our welfare? I for one would like to see a letter from our Union leadership informing all of us of their support for Andy Sydor. If not a letter, then an email. When a Shop Steward is fired during a labor dispute with management it is the duty of the Union leadership to communicate with their membership. That communication should be swift and unqualified. That is my opinion.
Regards,
James Muessig

RE: ANDY FROM STUART

2009-01-07T08:45:00.003-05:00

Andy Sydor refused to do a back to back.
He request to have half of his half hour break time.
He was charged with insubordination.
The disciplinary hearing was held under Muñoz.
The firing is contrary to contract.
The firing is clearly a case of union busting.
There is no question that this management is
a hostilely anti-union management.

Stuart

THE COMPANY KNOWS WHO YOU ARE...

2009-01-06T18:46:00.002-05:00

Those of you who voted for the contract (insecure, scared, unspecified, company shills) will get the plum jobs this winter... those who voted to reject the contract will get zilch and/or 18 hour weeks... Thanks, motherfuckers!

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG...

2009-01-06T18:34:00.006-05:00

No matter how much I support the "struggle"... I think it IS over... at least for three more years... the insecure asshole cowards who voted for the contract have doomed us to hell for that period of time. BTW, for someone who has less than a 40 hour week... is that person considered "part time", and will there be NO contribution from management to that person's 401-K and/or unemployment account and/or medical plan because they are no longer "full-time"? I think not... those contributions/deductions etc are based on "full-time" employment, are they not?

UPDATE FROM JAMES

2009-01-06T18:14:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone, I hope that a Happy New Year was enjoyed by all. I promised before Christmas that I would report to the Gray Line employees after the strategy meeting at the International Union. The meeting was proposed in order to discuss strategies that Gray Line employees could use to bring Gray Line management back to the negotiating table. Furthermore, the meeting was intended to explore what support our union leadership could offer. The need to do this is evident. In the past weeks, we have seen evidence of what Gray Line has in store for us. Ticket Sellers have lost their guaranteed daily minimum pay. I have personally seen a ticket seller's check for one week's work. The man netted $47.00. Tour Guides are working triple tours and not being allowed the breaks guaranteed by our contract. Bus drivers at NYU now wait to learn how many hours will be cut from their schedules. A few Gray Line employees, representing the tour guides, NYU bus drivers, and ticket sellers met with Frank McCann and his team, at the International headquarters of the TWU on January 5, 2008. I regret to inform you that although all shop stewards from Gray Line gave of their time to attend this meeting (and the Short Line shop steward gave of his time to drive into the city to attend this meeting) not a single officer from our Local 225 attended. Without the Local leadership at the meeting it was impossible for the International to coordinate a strategy for us since the Local will help us implement it. Frank McCann has suggested that we reschedule a meeting to discuss with the leadership of our Local 225 exactly what they intend to do to support us in our struggle. That meeting due to Frank's imminent departure for Las Vegas where the International has organized casino workers will be scheduled soon after January 20, 2009. I know that this delay will be hard for many at Gray Line to accept. However, I suggest that we explore our capacity for patience. I will report back to you after this meeting with the Local and International is scheduled, and of course of the outcome of this meeting. Thank you all for your kind words of support in the past weeks. This is not over. We will regroup and fight on.
Sincerely,
James Muessig

LATEST COMPLAINT ABOUT GRAYLINE NY

2009-01-06T18:08:00.002-05:00

"I CAN'T SEE A DAMN THING! I WANT MY MONEY BACK!"

Welcome to New York...

This is Bob Murphy's pontification

2009-01-06T14:38:00.002-05:00

LINKING THE PROLIFERATION OF JAPANESE RESTAURANTS IN NYC TO THE DOWNFALL OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION

I work as a tour guide. I work on double-decker buses in Manhattan. As we go around, I tell people the history of what they are seeing. When were badly stuck in traffic, I diverge from my script and either ask the tourist where they are from, or ask them what they are doing in NYC, and I tell stories based on that.

Recently, I asked the latter question to two English girls. They told me that they want to go to Ninja Sushi. I don’t know anything about it, so I have to come up with a story whole clothe. Lightning strikes (metaphorically) and shooting entirely from the hip, I’m able to link the current world financial crisis to the proliferation of Japanese restaurants in NYC. I retell that story below (I have fleshed it out a bit, and corrected some facts):

When I was a kid in the 1970s, eating sushi was a test of manhood. It was exotic. It was raw fish.

By the 80s, sushi restaurants were plentiful, and the cuisine was casually accepted. This was because of increasing popularity, but also because of global economics. During the 80s, the Pacific Rim was ascendant, and this was in part because their banks were financing America’s ballooning deficit. They had our money in their pockets, and needed a place to invest it. Since USA was perceived to be the most stable economy, a lot of the money that we gave to them, came back in the form of their investments.

Of course, economically, Japanese restaurants are not that important, but they are visible the way the more important stuff, real estate was banks, are not. Standing on the sidewalk you couldn't see Toshiba buy Rockefeller Center, but you could see a sudden proliferation of a specific type of restaurant.

That huge deficit and radical deregulation led to bank failures and a severe economic downturn in the late 80s. Foreign investors were badly hit by America’s economic woes. Japan went into its own recession. Toshiba took a bath on Rockefeller.

Everything is good again by 2000, the USA was enjoying budget surpluses and economic growth. But the deficit started to grow again. By 2002 the surplus was already squandered, and because of the Iraqi war, the deficit ballooned to historic levels.

Again, our deficit was financed by foreign banks (including the Pacific Rim). Again, they had our money. Again, they needed to invest it in what seemed to be the most stable economy. Again it was the USA. Again the most important investments were in real estate and banks. And, again, there was an explosion in Japanese Restaurants. I was a commercial real estate broker until December 2006. When renting storefronts I saw more Asian guys than any other type of restaurateur.

With all this foreign investment in American markets, a supply and demand problem emerged: people wanted more of certain types of instruments than typically those instruments existed. This market pressure played into the radical deregulation, and probably created some of the pressure to deregulate. This is also were real estate and the bank’s problems merge into one.

Money that is owed to you is a type of asset, but only if there is confidence that money will be repaid, or is somehow secured with some other asset. Money from reliable debt, paid back incrementally with interest, is not only and asset, it’s a source of capital. For banks, the most reliable debt have always been mortgages, not only because they are secured with an asset (the property itself), but because people reliably make their mortgage payments in a way they don’t pay other debts. Mortgages are the backbone of bank's operating capital. Mortgages, though debt, are almost as good as money; and sometimes better.

Or at least they used to be.

Radical deregulation regarding the mortgage market began in early 1990s. This deregulation hit the mortgage process in two ways:
On the lendee side, standards were lowered for who got loans. The risky loans were structured in punitive ways, like high-interest subprime and the time bomb of variable rate. The bad mortgages created their own supply and demand problem, because they drove up housing prices, so people who could have handled more conventional mortgages a few years prior were now forced into a riskier position of taking the more punitive loans.

On the lender side, there was an increasing trend from originate to own, the lender holds the mortgage, to originate to distribute, where the lender sells the debt to someone else. Since the mortgage is not the lender's capital anymore, but a product for the lender to sell, the most obvious restraint on giving bad mortgages disappeared: the bank isn't being stuck with bad debt; its bad debt is now someone else's problem. That has always been in the background of the mortgage industry, but it only came front and center because creation of increasingly complex and poorly understood instruments (these include derivatives like credit swaps, this started in the early 90s but accelerated in 1999) and of legislation that erased restraints and oversight on deals between banks (again 1999).
More and more mortgages were being given out to people unlikely to be able to pay back. Banks bought and sold these increasingly dicey mortgages as if they were good assets. Lack of restraint on the conduct of lenders colluded with foreign demand for what the lenders were selling. It looked like wealth creation, but much of that wealth rested on assets that were of questionable value, but value no one questioned.
This impacted the commercial rental market, and Japanese restaurants played a role. More money encouraged more, and more diverse, investment. On the retail end of real estate, this created a significant supply and demand issue of its own. In NYC retail leasing, storefront rents doubled, then more than doubled, in only ten years, pushing them out of the ranges of many types of businesses. Landlords, wanting top rents in their market, saw that the only businesses that could pay were bars and restaurants. Bars and restaurants proliferated on the avenues, while other sectors of a neighborhood's economy are pushed to the side streets. Then the bars and restaurants crept onto the side streets, and some types of businesses disappeared all together.
Bars and restaurants are big money markers, but they are also high risk, they fail a lot. Many of Manhattan landlord's have a built in protection, they generally own mixed-use buildings: the ground floor is retail, while the floors above are residential. A well managed mixed-use building covers all expenses, and makes some profit, in the upper residential floors. Those rents are lower price per square foot per year, but they also are more easily rented because there's permanent housing shortage housing in Manhattan. Retail has a much higher price per square foot per year, but they are also harder to rent, and remain empty longer in between tenants. In the best scenario, a landlord can view the retail rent pretty much as gravy, its longer vacancy is not damaging, and the landlord has the flexibility to maximize revenues when it is rented.
This is similar to the asset-based financing banks engage in when they lend money for mortgages. The landlord's security is in the fact that the spaces are re-rentable, same way the bank's security is in that a property is re-salable. In both cases the line of capital provided from renter or borrower is more important than the value of the asset that provides the security. As in all investing (and when a bank finances you, they are essentially investing in you) the lower risk likely provides a lower yield, while a higher risk has potentially higher yield. A good investment portfolio is protected by diversifying it in a manner conscious of these realities.
Landlords mostly understand this equation. Banks thought they did. But the bad mortgages became bundled with good ones and the rating systems the bankers used for risk assessment didn't understand the increasing exotic instruments. The risky instruments were treated as is they were the most reliable. It would have been nice if someone said, "Hey, we're making too much money for this to be low risk," but not enough people did.
In 1994 the Fed was granted enforcement powers regarding mortgage lending, which they never exercised. Attempts to curb predatory lending started in 1999, and were repeatedly stifled. Warnings to the Fed about a housing bubble made headlines in 2004, but no effective action was taken.
Finally, mortgages started to default in numbers the USA hasn't seen for eighty years.
The last 15 or so years were a big party. At some point, the party was still going but no one had the money to pay the bill. Now the party is over. This is our massive hang-over created by bad mortgages displaying their toxicity in the fullest.
The banks need the mortgage's capital (the mortgage payments) more than they need the less liquid, and now quickly devaluing, properties used to secure those mortgages. Banks started running out of operating capital. They couldn't borrow or lend to or from each other, nor lend money to you. They started failing. Because of all the swapping of these bad instruments, really big banks started failing.
On a global scale, this is our debt (deficit and mortgages) but their investment. This has become a world-wide economic crisis. Last month the entire country of Iceland found it was facing bankruptcy.
And in a real sense, it’s America’s fault.
The only thing that hasn't gone wrong yet is that USA government is still paying its own payments on its debts to overseas banks, a source of capital more reliable than the investments those same banks squandered it on. But eventually, even this might be at risk, because the Federal bailouts designed to correct this crisis are making the national deficit even bigger.
What happens when the national debt is so huge that the Federal government can’t make its payments?
What happens is that you won't be able to buy sushi in New York City.

FROM MOSES GATES

2009-01-03T18:44:00.002-05:00

Since in 2009 I'm reducing my tour guiding to they very, very occasional I figured a good way to fill that extra time is to start writing down all the stories about our crazy corner of New York that I've accumulated over the last few years. Hence the advent of www.TouristHell.com Add it to your RSS or throw up a link or all that other jazz people do nowadays. There's really three main themes:

a) how tourists are stupid
b) how tour guides are crazy
c) how everyone else in the tourism business are shysters

In addition to these themes though, I'm also using the blog as a way to keep up on general industry gossip and news - contracts & unionization, the market for guides, licensing issues, new companies, and anything else. And while, as you can see from the themes, the general tone will be snarky and condescending, as at it has to do with tourism in New York, I want to cover it.

So this is where I need your help! Please drop a line to TouristHell@gmail.com with any tips, news, stories, thoughts on the general state of tourists, tourism, companies, or anything else tourist or tourism related. It can even be about smart tourists, or sane tour guides or honest tour operators.

Moses Gates
www.allcitynewyork.com

A REPLY TO A REPLY

2009-01-02T10:14:00.002-05:00

Memo from the executive suite of GL: "We're off on vacation (to sunny Scotland) till March... you guys are on your own!"

Will we notice their absence? NOT!

URGENT REPLY TO THE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION POST

2009-01-02T10:06:00.002-05:00

This just in from the executive offices of GL NY Shortsightedseeing:

"Inre: the rumor about GL NY New Year's resolutions...

NOT!"

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FROM GL NY Shortsightseeing

2009-01-01T18:38:00.005-05:00

1) I will clean the buses
2) I will fix the wheelchair lifts
3) I will remove the advertising so that tourists can see out of the windows
4) I will fix the heating units on buses so it's warm on cold days
5) I will fix the AC on the buses so it's cool on hot days
6) I will fix the video monitors on the buses
7) I will remove the cots and the nap room from the Hoboken maintenance shed
8) I will standardize and calibrate the sound systems on the buses so that the tourists can hear and understand the announcements
9) I will be nice to ALL of my employees (not just Rudy)
10) I will correct errors in the payroll and accounting system
11) I will develop a coherent business plan
12) I will stop fucking up the city of New York
13) Most of all, I will remember that GL NY is a SIGHTSEEING company and operate accordingly and in the best interests of my customers

TODAY WAS THE DAY WHEN THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT GRAYLINE!

2009-01-01T18:34:00.002-05:00

GL NY Shortsightedseeing was closed for the holiday as GL management regrouped for the new year. Expect record profits for the upper management, the owners and the stockholders. Expect more abuse for everyone else. Tomorrow, the complaints begin anew.

IF YOU NEED SOMETHING TO DO TODAY (1/1/09)

2009-01-01T10:33:00.004-05:00

SAVE CONEY ISLAND!
RALLY TOMORROW
NEW YEARS DAY, 12 NOON

For those of you who don't already know, the business owners located on the boardwalk at Coney Island were unceremoniously evicted by Thor Equities on Christmas Eve (Ruby's, Cha-Cha's, Lola Staar and more).

For Rent signs were placed over the businesses without notice, followed by notification that locks would be cut and changed that same day, as well as news that some tenants could re-lease and start from scratch....for three times the rent.

On the Boardwalk near West Tenth Street, at the memorial shrine on Boardwalk Gates of Coney Island's closed & dismantled Astroland Park Bring photos, drawings, letters, poems, flowers to add to the shrine. Make your own protest signs or download protest signs/flyers from links at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saveconeycoalition/sets/72157611848061819/

----------
Click here for Reverend Billy's New Year's Sermon:
http://www.revbilly.com/chatter/blog/2008/30/what-america-got-for-christmas

...and check http://www.revbilly.com for video, sermons, our new forum and more events!
This has been a message from the Rev Billy Bulletin

Visit us online at http://www.revbilly.com

(c) 2008 All Rights Unreserved and For The People. Feel free to repost, republish and spread the good word with a link back to http://www.revbilly.com

2008 comes to a close...

2008-12-31T11:22:00.002-05:00

This forward from James seems to me to be an indictment of the ticket sellers, tourguides and drivers... of course management policy supports such behaviour. Here is the forward:
2008 comes to close. Gray Line NY continues to work hard to harm the experiences of visitors from around the world. If the management won't fix this...maybe we should.
(from TripAdvisor.com) “rip off & insulting treatment of customers.”
Gray Line New York Tours Monaghantim Ireland Dec 29, 2008

Just back from new York with the wife & inlaws and had a wonderful time. The only negative on the whole trip was our experience with the Gray Lines red bus tour.
We purchased tickets from the street guy at central park and boarded the down town loop tour - we had wanted to start up town! He was friendly enough but didn't have any change - a minor point but one should not have to wait ten minutes to get two dollars change back. The price at €49 dollars each initially seemed reasonable for a 48 hour ticket and number of different tour options.

The bus itself was very overcrowded and we had to stand down stairs at the stairwell with no view what so ever. However, we were not too concerned as believing it was a hop on hop off tour that spaces would soon be plentiful upstairs. To our shock the bus continued on its way to time square to pick up more passengers even though it was clear that there was no room left - I began to feel concerned for the safety of everyone on the bus.

At the first stop the tour guide and driver were replaced. It was made clear to every one onboard that there were issues between both these grey line staff. This was probably the most entertaining and best thing on the whole trip with grey line.

The bus stopped at a number of locations but no one seemed to want to leave the bus in case they could not get back on again. At each stop there were at least 10 customers and an argument between tour guide & customers being refused entry to the bus. The stock response from the grey line staff seemed to be don't tell me phone the owner of the company.

Eventually at century twenty one we managed to get a seat upstairs but at this point we had seen absolutely nothing on the tour due to some kind of mesh on the windows obstructing views from downstairs and learned nothing except that a tip for the tour guide and driver would be much appreciated. The tour guide also had a very strong accent which could be very hard to understand.

We decided to cut our losses and head for our hotel.

The following day we decided to give the tour another go as our ticket was still valid for 48 hours. We saw an almost empty bus at the south port terminus and I showed the conductor/tour guide our ticket slip and proceeded to enter the bus. The tourguide refused to accept that our ticket was valid even though the ticket clearly showed we had paid twenty fours hours earlier. I felt shocked, angry and humiliated at how we were treated and his general behaviour towards us.

I've never written a complaint before but have felt obliged to on this occasion.I would not advise any one to go on a tour with this company. Of all the positive things to happen on our trip to New York - our negative experiences at the hands of Grey line have been the only stories we have told our friends and neighbours about.

SCAPEGOATING

2008-12-30T20:46:00.006-05:00

UPPER MANAGEMENT vs MIDDLE MANAGEMENT vs THE WORKERS

So today the NY Jets fired their coach... I assume because the team didn't win. The team didn't win because upper management had saddled the coach with famous and high priced workers (players and staff) who were hired because of their fame, high price and box office appeal but who just may not have been good enough to work very well with other team members in the context of the management's business plan (if they even had one). Is this an old story, or what? Success (winning, sales, profits, posterity, legacy, world series rings, super bowl trophies, membership in the Times Square Association, etc) eludes an organization (military, sightseeing, sports, manufacturing, broadcasting, governmental, etc) so they (the Presidents, Secretaries of State, Prime Ministers, owners, CEO's, CFO's, COO's, VP's, etc) dump on their middle management and/or their workers to achieve the lusted after and mostly illusory success. The middle management and the lower-down personnel are castigated, fired, fined, jailed, or laid off, their salaries are cut, they are hung out to dry, etc, while the biggies have their salaries raised, their offices decorated, and their mistresses aborted. But of course, this kind of upper management carries on... and if they should get lucky and achieve success (usually doubtful), they congratulate themselves, not the people who have worked themselves to the bone to achieve that success in spite of a flawed management. This kind of management (unfortunately all too common in these days) does not seem to realize that the success and/or failure of an organization must begin with a coherent organizational or business plan. Otherwise... well... we all see what happens. Of course, if you are one of those sacrificed workers who have a 30 million dollar golden parachute, or are fortunate enough to know somebody who values your expertise enough to hire you as a lobbyist, who cares? But if you are a SCAPEGOAT... BTW, whatever happened to Monica Lewinsky?

Thanks to foreigners, NYC sets 2008 tourism record

2008-12-30T11:43:00.002-05:00

Here is the latest bomb from the Associated Press... so GL NY Shortsightedseeing is cutting back on employee expenses AND services to these same foreign tourists... read on Macduff, and damned be he who first cries "Hold, enough!"

(AP) - Mayor Michael Bloomberg says New York City attracted a record number of visitors this year but the growth in the city's tourism industry has slowed amid a worldwide economic downturn.

Mr. Bloomberg says an estimated 47 million people visited the city in 2008 — a record high — beating last year by 1 million visitors, or 2.1%. And those tourists generated $30 billion in spending, setting another record over last year's $28.9 billion.

But the increase is smaller than the jumps seen in previous years. Last year, the total visitor number was 46 million, up 4.5% from 44 million in 2006. And that was a 3.3% rise from 42.6 million in 2005.

The city says visitors from abroad account for the increase this year — a million more international tourists came to the city in 2008. Last year, the number of international visitors grew by 17% from the year before.

A SPY AND HIS FAMILY?

2008-12-29T17:53:00.005-05:00

Well... today... Downtown... 1:30pm a spy and his family were (quite ceremoniously) put on the bus by RUDY! Cutting a line of 150 or so tourists. The spy (he said he was "GM for Coach USA" ... whatever that means) sat in the front seats of a bubbletop (518, if you're keeping track). He told me of his prominent position with Stagecoach Ltd. while we waited for the great unwashed hoi-poloi (ticket holders) to enter. He sat there undergoing all the abuse I usually administer to my guests. Among the abusive remarks... shutup and siddown! Can't see out of the windows? (The company needs the money they get from the advertising revenue). Can't see out of the bubbletop? (The Plexiglas is scratched and dirty and glares in the sun). Annoyed by the rude GL personnel... the yelling, etc? Can't see the Empire State, the Flatiron, the Woolworth, because of the Plexiglas glare? Call Grayline. I didn't know myself where we were half the time. How many people like the bubbletop (even though it's warm up here? Not one... NADA... person raised their hand). The "GM for Coach USA" got off at Battery Park. Just another day at the "Rat Company"

FINANCIAL JOKES

2008-12-27T19:48:00.003-05:00

RE: Stan's request (previous post) Some of us have been telling Wall Street jokes for years... No need to alter what we have always said to fit the current situation... mocking Wall Street has ALWAYS been good sport! The same old jokes just get bigger laughs now!

BEGGING FOR JOKES

2008-12-27T19:45:00.003-05:00

A reporter friend wants to know if you have altered what's
said about the various financial institutions around
Manhattan, since the beginning of the economic slide,
and especially since the failure of Bear Stearns and the
bailouts.  Please email me back here with any such
witticisms, castigations or puns.

Stan O'Connor
www.oconnorgreentoursnyc.com

SO HAVE A HAPPY!

2008-12-23T14:58:00.002-05:00

Let's hope that the coming year will be better than the last one. And to those of you who have 18 hour bids... well at least it's 18 hours... almost better than a sharp stick in the eye. The other options: 1) shit a watermelon sideways 2) slide down a 50 foot razor. Happy Holidays!

AN ESSAY

2008-12-23T09:04:00.005-05:00

My daughter, Samantha, asked me to give her a short sentence or two about the current labor/management troubles at Grayline. She has been reading "The Grapes of Wrath" in a high school humanities class, and there was some discussion in her class about the Great Depression and what is going on presently. They were to do a "compare and contrast" evaluation. So I started my "two short sentences" and wound up with the following... Not short, but it could have been longer... BTW, see today's (12/23/08) Times editorial page with several labor/management based items... one dealing with the AFT and one dealing with the UAW. Here is my piece:

During the depression years, the time period of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”, times were tough for everybody. Management abused labor, and labor fought back, sometimes in an organized way, sometimes spontaneously. Steinbeck’s novel didn't deal specifically with labor unions, but the principle is the same: The struggle for dominance between management and labor.

The issues today are the same as they were in the 1930’s, Clifford Odet’s great one act play “Waiting for Lefty”, written about the same time as “The Grapes of Wrath” is the archetypal “labor” play. Both works typify the struggles of the times. Today, in my own experience, being a member of several labor unions, management seems to be out for their own supposed self-interest, and the interest of their stockholders, while forgetting that the main reason they exist is to serve the public, and that the soul of any company, when you come right down to it, is the workers.

The Screen Actors Guild is in a dispute with The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Some members of SAG are, of course famous and wealthy “stars”. But the vast majority are “extras” and “day players”, actors who sometimes live week to week on their paychecks. Actors are asking for a fair share of residual money from the sale of TV shows, films and commercials to the “new media” meaning basically the internet and DVD. There is already in place a fairly efficient method of sharing the proceeds from “traditional” outlets such as network TV and movie theaters. But potential income from this “new media” is enormous and already many motion picture companies make more from internet and DVD sales than they do from “traditional” sources. But they are unwilling to share with the workers any meaningful percentage. They say that there is “no money” being made now, and that the actors should wait until there is more money to share.

The Transport Workers Union represents the tourguides, NYU drivers, and ticket agents of Grayline New York Sightseeing. Citing hard economic times, even though they are making record profits, management forced a contract on the union by threatening to fire workers and even going to the expedient of training non-union personnel to be ready in case of labor strife. The contract forced upon the workers takes away meal breaks, meal allowances, rest periods between segments of work, and shortens most work weeks to less than 40 hours, thus making many employees “part-time” and depriving them of medical benefits and IRA contributions. The company did offer a raise to the tourguides, however. The "raise" amounts to an increase in hourly wages of perhaps 22 cents. The ticket agents, who had been working on commission against a minimum of $90 per day, are now asked to work for a $40 per day minimum. More than a 50% cut in minimum pay. And, if a ticket agent this year makes $10,000 more in commissions than they did last year, the company says, they will get a $100 bonus.

Large and small business all over the country are using these very difficult economic times as an excuse to cut expenses (labor costs, maintenance) in order to ensure their sometimes obscene salaries and bonuses. And, in some cases, management will still resort to threats and violence such as depicted in “The Grapes of Wrath” (in the film, the labor leader, played by John Carradine, is killed by a management “goon” who is then attacked and killed by the hero Tom Joad, played by Henry Fonda). In other words, some things never change.

SECRET SHOPPERS VS. SPIES?

2008-12-22T12:24:00.001-05:00

What's the difference between a "spy" and a "secret shopper"? A prize for the first correct answer.

TOURING IN SAN FRANCISCO

2008-12-22T08:50:00.014-05:00

Your host (me) got back late last night (Sunday) and caught up with some messages sent over the weekend (Regarding TWU and other labor actions). They follow this post.

As far as San Francisco goes... I have included some pictures of the tour bus situation in the Bay Area. NO TOURGUIDES!!! Either taped narration (over headset for the "language tours" or the driver is the tour guide. A very interesting experience to say the least. Being a driver and being a tourguide are totally different functions... so be it ...

Gray Line San Francisco Sightseeing has a bunch of trolleys that look very much like the real cable cars. They also have some totally covered double-deckers (because of the nasty weather in California).

There are several other companies which run open top buses (some newer like our 500 series, some old Neoplan type buses, and some right-hand drive London rejects... note the bus with the Maryland license plate... what the hell is that all about?).

The logos on the side of the GL trolleys say "Coach America". Not sure if this is the same as "Coach USA" although no one knew what my reference to Scotland was. The GL San Francisco Sightseeing buses did NOT have the "Coach" logo.

In any event, NO TOURGUIDES!!! And some taped narration! Look out! I told the concierge at the hotel about the tourguide on the bus rule in NYC and the grisly accident in Washington DC and she seemed impressed AND appalled. She wished us luck, and wished that the SF buses had live guides. Her customers all agreed. Many of them felt ripped-off and felt lonely and abandoned on top of the bus... The wave of the future (fuck the tourists)?

SPIES ON BUSES

2008-12-22T08:18:00.004-05:00

FROM TOURGUIDE ON BUS TO Andy: then forwarded to James and relayed to you.

There will be company spies riding our buses this weekend. A company man dress in civies is at this writing riding my 7:45 PABT. He told me spies are on buses. Get word out it comes from Tom Lewis. They are checking drivers, tour Guides and dispatchers. I should be finished by 11:15, so I will also work at getting the word out.

Joe
Sent from my iPhone

Joe The Tourist Friend

SCAB CENTRAL

2008-12-22T08:17:00.002-05:00

I was told that yesterday, despite the fact that we did NOT go on strike, a group of about twenty scabs showed up in the morning to "do tours". This is what one of them said. Was this due to management stupidity and lack of coordiation and communication?

Were these folks told to show up to do our tours and then not called back to inform them that their services were not needed?

I also heard that these folks were put on a training bus. One of our colleagues suggested that there is something more sinister.

That these folks are being hired to replace guides who are about to be canned. Personally, I think it's grayline's lack of communication.

Any thoughts on this? I wasn't in yesterday.

Pat

WHAT HAPPENED FRIDAY AND WHAT'S TO COME

2008-12-22T08:16:00.002-05:00

Sorry to get back to you so late. I had an emergency involving an oil burner on a very cold day. It was fixed with a toothbrush! The things you learn living in NYC. Most of you received my email before the canceled Friday protest. A few ended up coming to Times Square because they had already left home before I sent the email. Please accept my apologies. I waited until 11 AM to talk to people personally, but I know others came later and no one was there. This was not my finest moment of organization.
Let me tell you about the positive things that came out of this situation, and there are some. Firstly, in putting together these quickly thrown together by the seat of our pants demonstrations we used an old organizational system. It worked basically like this. I was in communication with you. Then I would call Andy. Andy would call Tony Celeste, the Secretary Treasurer of our Local 225. Tony would then call Carlos Padilla, the President of Local 225 who is recovering from the fire that destroyed his home. Carlos would contact the TWU International Union to procure signs, flyers, rat, etc. And then it would work backwards from there. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how easy it was for communication to break down and for poor performance to ensue.
About five minutes after I sent that email, which I wrote in the heat of frustration, I received a phone call on my mobile phone as I rushed to Times Square. The call was from Frank McCann, a well know labor organizer at the TWU International Union. Frank has been copied on emails for the last two weeks. Frank has been busy flying back and forth between Las Vegas and New York City where our union scored a historic labor victory by unionizing the dealers at the Wynn Hotels. Frank let me know that we have the support of the TWU International Union that represents thousands of workers across America from our subway operators in NYC to the flight attendants of SouthWest Airlines in Texas.
Much of the International organizing staff has left NYC for the holidays. Frank promised that he would personally get together with us the first week of January. Frank has some innovative and exciting ideas on ways that we can get Gray Line back to the table to offer a proposal that we can live with. These ideas have worked before with companies far larger than Gray Line New York Sightseeing. Frank left his personal contact information with me so that if there is a future breakdown communication between us and the Local and the International I can contact him right away directly.
Frank suggested that the first meeting should be a small group of committed workers who are willing to give of their time to organize the company as a whole for action. Our emails reach only half of the tour guides. The ticket sellers who come up to me on a regular basis smiling and speaking words of support have almost no information about what is happening. We need to first get these people in the communications loop. Once they are aware as we are, unified action will follow.
Andy and I can't be leading every protest we do in the future (we work too). We need others to step up to the plate. We have had great creative support from members with writing and artwork. We need more. We need all members to walk the walk with us on the street. Many have already. We need more. I do not personally waste my time on lost causes. I do firmly believe that together we can create a work environment that we are happy to be a part of. I do believe that we can work for a company that faithfully delivers the services it advertises in a professional manner to its customers. I KNOW that these changes will not come from the management in New York City.
We have all witnessed silently for too long their disinterest in frankly running a business. The change will come from the ground up. We are the future of this company. We have kept it together through our commitment to the customers, and our love for New York in the face of management indifference and incompetence.
So I ask you to please step forward now. Because we all have three options.
1. Do nothing and our hours, and wages will disappear as Gray Line NY Sightseeing sinks down a hole that it will not recover from.
2. Go find another job. And it is New York, the jobs are there. We have a talent pool that is unparalleled. When I go to a union meeting I am aware that in that room there are not multiple masters degrees, but multiple people who have multiple masters degrees themselves! Our membership has education, and work experience superior to the management at Gray Line NY. 3. OR YOU CAN CHOOSE THE THIRD OPTION. Stop ignoring this situation. Stop complaining about this situation. Stop pretending that this situation will fix itself, or that others will do it for you. Just stand up and help fix it. Together, we can. Any person who wants to be part of number 3, please email me with your thoughts,and what you can contribute in time and ability. Then I will let you know when we can meet with Frank McCann and his team at the TWU International Meeting. The next email that you will receive from me will be pictures from the Holiday Party that the employees held because management canceled it as part of their "Steal Christmas" initiative. I wish all of you a happy celebration with your friends and family. After Christmas I will let you know when this committed group is getting together with TWU International, and of course the strategies, and actions that will follow.
Regards,
James Muessig

Friday 9:05 am

2008-12-22T08:12:00.002-05:00

Our local Union has just informed me at 9:05 AM...just 55 minutes before our protest in Times Square that we do not have a rat, signs, or flyers. The Local promised us their full support for these demonstrations against Gray Line. Many people voted to accept a contract that they never wished to sign because of the promise that Local 225 would support a policy of demonstrations against Gray Line targeted at bringing them back to the negotiating table. All union voters must reach their own conclusions. I will go to Times Square to alert all picketers who showed up on this inclement day to protest who have already left home as to what has happened. Under these circumstances at this time I cannot call for a demonstration on Saturday.
Standby for news.
Needless to say. No one at this moment is happy.
Regards,
James Muessig 917-648-1473

NO PICKET TODAY?

2008-12-19T11:10:00.002-05:00

I am in San Francisco with limited access to working computers. But I just found out that TWU is not coming through with support for the demo at Times Square today... get in touch with James or Andy for further info.

FROM THE TIMES (FINALLY)

2008-12-17T22:08:00.004-05:00

Imagine, if you will, a tour-guide revolt in the middle of Times Square: Hundreds of tour guides for Gray Line New York Sightseeing tours picket near their own buses, as replacement workers hop on the buses and begin identifying various points of interest: “On your left is the famous Times Square, and on your right, holding those picket signs, are the tour guides who used to work these buses.”
This scene was avoided, as tour guides for Gray Line, who were threatening to strike, announced on Wednesday that they had voted to accept a new three-year contract. The guides, who were unhappy with their old labor contract, said that they were even less happy with the terms of their new one, but had no other choice.

“We did approve the contract, but only because we realized we were going to get fired if we went on strike — they were already training replacement workers,” said Andy Sydor, the shop steward for Local 225 of the Transport Workers Union of America, which represents guides for Gray Line, the largest double-decker tour bus operation in New York. “We’re still going to picket on our time off, to show the public how badly this company treats us.”

The guides’ contract expired last month, and they were threatening to strike because of what they called poor working conditions. Mr. Sydor said the new contract, a three-year agreement, offered tour guides raises that ranged from 1.5 percent to 3.5 percent.

The local has 490 members and includes shuttle-bus drivers for New York University and Gray Line ticket sellers.

In a news release, the president of Gray Line, Tom Lewis, said, “GREY LYME KNEW JERK SHORTSIGHTEDSEEING ASS POLICED DATA EAVE RETCHED ANT A CREAM MOUNT WITCHING TEA DOUBLE-EWE EWE."

MAYBE LADI SHOULD RUN GRAY LINE

2008-12-17T21:53:00.003-05:00

James Oladipo Buremoh spends six months of the year tending to the needs of his subjects from a palace run by half a dozen servants in Idera, a Nigerian kingdom he rules about 200 miles north of Lagos. The rest of the time he drives a Gray Line double-decker bus in New York.

I did not want to be king. Are you kidding me? As king, you are, in the eyes of the community, second to God. You are the father to all the people. And people in my community do not even have outhouses. They go into the bush.

I was born in 1957, the last of nine children. Our parents favored me as the baby. Some of my brothers didn’t like me very much. So I came to the United States, in 1977, and attended college in Georgia. I worked at night putting barbecue grills together on an assembly line. After school, I moved to Houston, where I got a job with Shell Oil. I spent a lot of time in the gym. I was like 272, all muscle. One day, I went to see a wrestling match, and Ernie “Big Cat” Ladd picked me out of the crowd and said, “You ever think of wrestling? You can make $120 a match.” So I became a pro wrestler: Ladi the African Tiger. Until me, the only “African” was Kamala the Ugandan Giant, and he was from Mississippi. I was on the circuit with Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Andre the Giant. I was known for the flying head-butt.

One day, I was driving and—boom!—a deer hit my car. My chest crashed into the steering wheel. That night, I was wrestling Doctor Death. My rib punctured my lung. I went unconscious, and they brought me back to life. That was when I decided, Hey, wait a minute here, it’s time to go back home.

Idera means “a place of comfort.” It is situated in a valley between three mountain ranges. You plant yam. You plant guinea corn. It was founded by my grandfather, a blacksmith. He made statues to the gods, and when the missionaries came, he became an Evangelist. When he passed, my father took over. A conspiracy ensued. Some people wanted to go back to idol-worshipping and appointed my mother’s younger brother to the throne.

Back in Idera, I promoted wrestling. I was “the Hulk Hogan of Nigeria.” But then one day my father called for me. He told me the meaning of my name: a sacred message of royalty. He said I would be the next king. I was like, Whoa! I have six brothers! They would kill me! That’s one of the reasons I came to New York. To escape. I saw a Gray Line bus and went into the office. I showed them my résumé, and they said, “Great, orientation’s tomorrow.” I make $16 an hour now as a driver. I’ve worked with over 200 tour guides. You get to learn a lot, like the way New York was when the British came and took over and then the Dutch came back and you had the Battle of Brooklyn Heights. It’s a really great story. The most difficult part is the stupid taxicabs. We call them “yellow rats.” In fact, I had surgery on my shoulder recently because one cut me off. I’m on disability right now.

When my father passed, in 1999, I didn’t attend the funeral. I didn’t want to take any chances. But in 2003, I went back to Idera for the final rites for my parents, and before I arrived, my mother’s younger brother [the then king] had passed. The community was tired of idol-worshipping, and the Oracle—not a person, more like a god with a small g—had supposedly told them to return the reins of power to me specifically. I reluctantly agreed.

I cannot describe the feeling. When I arrive at the airport, I am dressed in royal regalia. I cannot drive. I cannot do anything. It’s like taboo. It doesn’t matter how old they are, they bow to you. Upon my appointment, the head of the women in Idera knelt before me and begged for water. I sank a well, and the governor ordered a borehole. We still need a lot more. The dispensary, there are no drugs in it. The hospital is one hour away. That’s my mission: to help my people.

When I come here, I’m Ladi the Bus Driver. Every minute I am not working, I am wasting. I live off my tips. I stay at my cousin’s in Bed-Stuy. I spend $10 a day on food. I eat lots of cereal in the morning and then in the afternoon I get a salad. Maybe some Chinese food. Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

PICKETLINE: NYU

2008-12-17T17:40:00.004-05:00

TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION LOCAL 225
GRAY LINE TOUR GUIDES
GRAY LINE TICKET SELLERS
NYU DRIVERS

TWU Workers picket in front of Tisch Building, New York University
Waverly Place and Broadway
10 AM (GMT-5) - 1 PM
Thursday December 18, 2008

Gray Line tour guides and ticket sellers will be protesting in support of their coworkers, the NYU Bus Drivers. Recently, Gray Line New York Sightseeing, owned by Coach USA, a division of Stagecoach Group plc of Perth, Scotland, UK. forced a contract upon the workers of TWU Local 225.

There is now a three year freeze on the wages of new hires for NYU Bus Drivers. The bus drivers have been threatened by NYU contractor Coach USA, that if the bus drivers exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to protest that they will be summarily transferred from NYU to other routes in the Coach USA network or laid off.

As a result, Gray Line Tour Guides, and Gray Line Ticket Sellers will protest for the NYU Bus Drivers that have been silenced.

NYU must ask itself, if they wish to reward the practices of Gray Line NY Sightseeing with a valuable contract. The protests will continue until Gray Line NY Sightseeing offers their workers a salary that can support their families, and a work environment free of harassment.

Press Contact
Andy Sydor
Section Chair
TWU Local 225
(201) 913-5584

THE TWU PROTESTS AGAINST GRAY LINE NEW YORK SIGHTSEEING WILL CONTINUE AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY AND IN TIMES SQUARE

ATTENTION: OUT OF WORK "SOPRANOS" ACTORS WHO ARE NOT YET ON TRIAL...

2008-12-17T15:20:00.002-05:00

Here's a chance to keep your skills honed... Call Jim Murphy about getting the "Contract on Tourguides/Drivers/Ticket Agents". If you are successful in being chosen, there will be enough activity for you to get through this "recession" and on into the next one. Think of it: over 200 people to "rub out" (as you so delicately phrase it). Of course, time is relatively short. The winter lay-off is coming and many of the potential "rub-outees" will be going to their vacation homes in the south of France. Get cracking!

I THINK IT'S TERRIBLE

2008-12-17T12:48:00.002-05:00

This has gone far enough! The abuse heaped upon this poor, defenseless nincompoop should stop! We should all start acting like civilized human beings! Really! Think of what people might say... they may think that this company was run by a bunch of idiots instead of "the local experts".

BTW, is it true that Brian Souter was at the Waldorf and tried to get a GL NY Shortsightedseeing from the concierge (uptown, of course)? And that his credit card wasn't honored? And that the personnel on the next bus didn't have a hole bunch? And that he didn't have a ticket anyway? So they punched him instead? And that he was put off the bus in Times Square because the driver thought his shoes were too dirty to throw? And that he is now at Midtown West Precinct House holding pen (Brian, not the driver)? How do these rumors get started anyway?

SPILLING MIST ACHES

2008-12-17T11:38:00.005-05:00

Hive bin tolled terror sum spilling mist aches maiden duh ladder ice ant bee four. Hive juiced chucked worth Mike Row Soften day sat eye shoot yews spill chucker. Endive juiced spill chucked ant hive corrupted awl heiress. Hearsay massage wants mere. Ant yucking sea know heiress.

Tanks yawl Grey Lame implore yeast ant turd guise. Eye yam crawling yew gist two lecher no hellgate chew yarn. Olaf ass honor turd floe cirque dot photo further cone track whizzing wonder fool. Whee cull udder "CONTRACT ON EMPLOYEES" furry cone yacht culled "CONTRACT FOR/ON AMERICA" duh Reap Pubic Cans perched true ah flue ears batch. Tanks wants moire. Uhhh, kin yew Hermes nor?

---Yew shut lake mead... Gym Myrrh free

CONGRADULATIONEZ GREY LYNE IMPLOYEEZ

2008-12-17T10:10:00.003-05:00

Thaynk yew'awl grey lyme implorees. Iyam cawlen yew juesto seydat itink yewr awlgrate! Awl uf eus hearawn deeturd fluer dink dat derfote fer de conrack wuz jus wunnerfool. Whee cull ut der "CONTRACT ON EMPLOYEES" en honer uf der "CONTRACT FOR/ON AMERICA" duh Repubicleeies jaymmeyd true uh fue yars ugo. Tanks ugayne. Uhhh, kin yew hermie noue?

---Gym Muhrfee

THE DOOR IS NEVER CLOSED

2008-12-17T09:19:00.003-05:00

This door is never closed. We allowed ourselves to be too confident in threatening a strike. That threat did work in the past. But now the company has adapted to that threat and turned it against ourselves. The threat to strike did not work then. It will never work again.

But there are other threats, other strategies. Look at the recent fight in Chicago, where they took an "illegal" tactic and used anyway, achieving their goals in six days. Look at the fight at the Plaza hotel, where the workers created a whole-public-relations campaign that gained them success beyond their original goals.

We need new tactics and strategies. That's what the pickets are about. We have only just started, and we have already gotten more coverage than many strikes have gotten during their entire duration. Our YouTube videos are already more frequently watched over the last two weeks than Gray Line's promotional materials. The company thought that once this was voted through the fight would be over; they don't realize that there is no legal remedy to stop us from protesting their awful contract. The only way they can stop us from picketing is to give us a better contract. That's the new reality THEY have to deal with.

They won't do anything above this contract? THEN THEY WILL LOSE THE HOTELS. They won't give us our breaks, or our winter guarantees or our full-time bids? THEN THEY WILL LOSE THE NYU CONTRACT. They won't give us a decent salary? THEN THE CITY WILL YANK THEIR SIGNS AND THEIR LICENSE. This won't happen tomorrow or this month. But if we keep fighting, the company will have to choose between giving us a fair deal or shutting down the most profitable company in CoachUSA.

Some of us worked for a company called Apple tours. They had a bigger share of the doubledecker tour business than even Gray Line has now (and with TWO competitors). They were unstoppable. But they kept behaving worse and worse, and they are not around anymore. Some of us had been cheated by Apple Tours out of our overtime pay. Well, we took those bastards to court and we WON. I, ANDY SYDOR, GOT PAID MY BACK OVERTIME PAY FROM APPLE. That was after they were shut down. The door is NEVER closed.

In solidarity
--Andy Sydor

Yes is Yes! and No is No!

2008-12-17T09:13:00.002-05:00

We said YES to the Contract. Do you say Yes to what you Don’t Accept? Do you sign a clause that binds you and that you condemn as unfair? If we said yes, that means we preferred harsh work condition, we preferred to submit ourselves to Gray Line’s greedy and disrespectful desire.

Now we are bound. Let’s go to toil and get the peanut. Anything else in hurry is frivolity.

James M is arguing that this is George Washington in Brooklyn . I will say this is Robert Lee at the Appomattox. We, in majority, feared how badly Gray Line would hurt us if we strike, the same way Lee feared how badly Sherman would continue to hurt his men and territory if he would not surrender.

Let’s be realistic. The contract’s issue is over. We surrendered. This is because the majority of us voted YES out of fear. Fear to loss their Job. This is a wise decision for people who don’t have any alternative. For the minority of us who dared and voted NO we were trying to send a message of sincerity of our conscience and courage to the company. The wisest scenario would have been to vote a majority of NO and then call for NO Strike.

This way, Gray Line would know we are not cowards but we are morally responsible and at the same time we are socially conscious of the fate of our families in this critical economy period. We would have won respect from the company with a NO to the Contract and we would have kept our job with an afterward NO for Strike. We were free to call for a tactical official NO for Strike afterward even if we bravely voted No (Yes for Strike).

This tactic didn’t take place because voters have not been made aware of it’s possibility.

So the lack of that knowledge allowed fear to prevail among us, the majority.

So now, what will the stubborn minority do? Adopt a long term guerilla strategy as announced? Are we going really to start it Thursday in front of NYU?

I think that, before any further public demonstration, we need to sit down to make clear to ourselves what outcome we are expecting from future public informational activity against Gray Line. Let’s sit down and think twice before moving forward in this matter. We have to move forward anyway, but in a way that is very sound and understood by the majority, even if the majority will not be engaged in the action.

Thanks

Mensan

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS...

2008-12-16T21:50:00.006-05:00

First of all... I am spending way too many hours sending out emails when all of you guys could just be reading this blog. I am sooooooooooooo lazy! Anyhow, I am now only sporadically going to send out emails... so tell all your friends (do you have any?) and colleagues (you have those) and GET USED TO IT!!! Nobody reads blogs anyhow... that's not true... my wife's blog gets thousands of hits a day... check it out:
http://palemaleirregulars.blogspot.com/

but I would hope that this blog:

http://tourguideirregulars.blogspot.com/

becomes a clearing house for all of us beleaguered bums.

As to the future. We will picket informationally... please show up! James and Andy could use some help! Those of you who did not vote, or voted yes... I understand, but FOR YOUR OWN GOOD: get with the program! The company is the bad guy... and whatever it takes we must try to convince them (for THEIR own good) that they must change their ways.

I am going to be out of town for a few days starting on 12-18-2008 (that's Thursday, folks) and coming back on Sunday 12-21-2008. I am going to the Bay Area to check out what Gray Line is doing in San Francisco (and to see Dirty Harry... Mr. Harry to you). I will let you know if they are as bad as GL NY Shortsightedseeing... I doubt it, but I will report anyhow (there are REAL trolleys in San Francisco). I probably will not have access to a computer, but if I do, I will report back. In the meantime, please post and leave comments. Try to send me emails... I may get them, then again, I may not (California is VERY backward, as you may know) but I will try my best to cope (it's not LA for god's sake!). Actually, I am going out to perform with PDQ Bach and Peter Schickele with the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall. Keep in touch...

CORRECTION AND NEW FILM

2008-12-16T18:53:00.004-05:00

I said we got up early to go to Jersey. Of course the Battle of Brooklyn was fought in August. My apologies to outraged tour guides. It was a typo. I know the story. Also every one check out Rick's new movie at You Tube.

--James

Link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LRwWNtbmWI

Talk about a Fifth Column. Who would believe it if we didn't have the film?

WITNESS

2008-12-16T18:42:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone, Early this morning, Andy Sydor, myself, John Galloway, and David Chachere took a bus out to Hackensack, NJ. At about 10 AM mediators from New Jersey's labor board appeared. David Chachere, Secretary Treasurer of the Local Union, Tony Celeste, and a mediator walked to the US Postal Service and retrieved the ballots. When they returned, Andy Sydor and I witnessed the count. Union President, Carlos Padilla is still recovering from serious burns suffered in a fire that destroyed his home a few days ago. He was not present. The returned envelopes were counted first. The mediator said that the return was considered high for union votes. Two union officers, a union section chair, and two New Jersey mediators conducted the count. None of the witnesses counted. We watched.
One ballot was immediately rejected because the sender had obliterated the identifying number on the envelope. We were instructed in the ballot mailing not to do that. A few more were rejected because the voter did not mark a box (did not make a choice, or added a box). The rest were counted.
The contract was approved.
We have stopped the Company's ability to fire us and hire replacement workers. They have to pay us. But we can still picket. And we will. We are just warming up. The International Union learning of our acceptance of the contract has dispatched one of their lead organizers to huddle with Carlos while he recuperates. They are meeting tomorrow to plan an organized strategy to bring Gray Line back to the table.
We signed the contract. We do not accept it. I know that there were many of you who voted to strike. At this time you may feel low.
I appeal to you. Remember, The Battle of Brooklyn. If General Washington had made his stand on December 29, 1776 in Brooklyn Heights, the Continental Army would have been destroyed and Washington captured and hanged as a traitor to the Crown. It took discipline to retreat the night before. It was the correct thing to do. The Battle of Brooklyn was lost, but the Revolutionary War was won.
A plan was formed at the TWU International Union weeks ago. Simple deal. We sign the contract and preserve our jobs, and the International will aid us in a long struggle to bring Gray Line into line. We have only conducted six demonstrations and Gray Line is failing. Ticket sales are down. Complaints from hotels are up. NYU, a major contract is upset.
The non unionized Gray Line employees in many ways overt and hidden are attempting to help us. The Fifth Column inside Gray Line (Teamsters and non-unionized workers) are more numerous and angrier than us. The press is showing attention. We have not begun to reach out to politicians and pressure groups, yet.
The Gray Line Christmas Rat will soon become the Gray Line New Years Rat and then The Gray Line Presidents Day Rat and Gray Line Easter Rat. Meanwhile our presence on the internet is growing. When customers learn the truth about Gray Line before they leave home to visit New York, Gray Line will feel the pain.

Next picket:
Thursday 10AM -1PM Waverly Pl and Broadway NYU Tisch Building
Friday 10AM - 2PM Times Square
Saturday 10AM - 2PM Times Square

Remember,
BIG RAT
FOR A RAT COMPANY

--James Muessig