Bus Strike

This weekend the bus workers of the city of Tucson are negotiating their new contract.  I talked to one of my favorite drivers yesterday and he was telling me how the garbage men/women make more than he does.  He said and I'm taking care of people, not garbage.  I agree, but I am also in favor of the garbage folks making a good amount.  Come on! That's an awful smelly, not so glamorous job.  But I also see his point.  As someone who once helped people in wheelchairs get around, I found it extremely stressful to make sure they were safe.  On top of that, the bus riders of Tucson are not an easy bunch.  On more than one occasion, I've thought to myself, "I could never do this job in a million years."  Not only do I have trouble parking a small vehicle, but I would not want to be entrusted with so many people's safety and all the issues that abound.  One morning, on the way to work, a man spilled alcohol all over the bus and some of it dripped onto me.  Way to make a great impression on my first week of work!

Tucson is known for its drugs, its violence, and that being said, the bus system attracts many of these types.  I've been a bus rider in Tucson now for a year, and let me just say, it hasn't always been very pleasant or felt very safe.  At the same time, I'm also extremely grateful because it's enabled me to get around when my bike was stolen, when I was too exhausted to pedal, and when the distance was too great in the desert heat.  I'm reliant on the system for everything now. 

The comforting thing is that I'm not alone.  There are parents that need the bus system to get their kids to school or the doctor.  There are fresh young U of A kids that are needing the bus to go to Starbucks, work, or a nightclub.  I don't know- we all have needs! There are the disabled and elderly that need the bus because they are alone and can't drive anymore.  They need to buy groceries and get to the doctor. 

I am working with a wonderful temp agency that has helped me find work the last few months, and I am having to wait till this negotiation is over to apply to more jobs.  There could be a strike over salary, over safety.  But I feel that it's good timing on my end as I just finished one job and want to start a temp to hire job.  I pray if it does happen it doesn't last too long.  How could it?  And I feel thankful for a little time off.  What money I had in savings for a car will have to be used up, but I am not giving up.  I will rest and recover and get back to work.  That is the goal and that is my hope.