The last few days we’ve heard from many people upset about the SunTran strike, now going into its eighth day. The disruption the strike has caused students and workers has obviously been felt across the city.
We haven’t heard from many in support of the strike. I understand why some may not be supportive of the 530 SunTran workers striking for better wages and working conditions. After all, other workers in Tucson continue to work for low wages or struggle with employment to begin with. Also, lives are being disrupted—those same low-wage Tucson workers trying to get to their jobs and trying to get home after a long shift; and others who rely on our city bus system to get to medical appointments and other vital services.
It’s hard. It’s understandable that folks are upset and may not be that supportive of our local transit workers. But I hope folks may take the time to think of this strike a little differently. I know some out there who already have—opting to still walk to work if they can, even when the route near their homes remains in service. Others have shown up to give strikers words of encouragement.
This past year or so, our crazyland state Legislature has made if difficult for unions to organize new members and represent members. We are now in a state and national climate that is increasingly anti-union and those messages become more well-funded every political season. So, I guess, what I hope can happen here, is that because that political climate exists, that people, even when it makes our lives harder during the strike, consider supporting the strike nonetheless.
Even if SunTran drivers make more than you do right now, this strike is about all of our futures and not just that of our local bus drivers. Every Labor Day, you see the Facebook memes go out reminding folks that if not for labor unions, we wouldn’t have the weekend, etc. True, but our lives right now are a bit more than the weekend—wages, better working conditions and job security need to be extended to everyone, even those who don’t belong to a union.
Crazyland has to change and Tucson needs to be a city that isn’t just a nice affordable place to live because it notoriously pays its workers low wages. Perhaps a good union strike is actually what this city needs right now. SunTran workers, show us how it’s done. Yes, this is a pain. We’re a creative city—figure out rides. Let Crazyland know that Tucson is a city that remains a troublemaking kind of town.
— Mari Herreras,
mherreras@tucsonweekly.com
This article appears in Aug 13-19, 2015.
Trouble making unions. Well said even if you had to back into it.
Has the editor ever heard of paragraphs? Sun Tran is not a city entity, hence the strike, but it’s subsidized by the city? Strange bedfellows. Tucson’s nororious low wages are due to the emphasis placed on tourism. Hotels, motels and local eateries, pay minimum wage, at best.
Tucson needs industry to move up in the world and become more metropolotian rather than the “Old Pueblo.”
Well said!!!!! Instead of condeming them and saying well I make next to nothing I think everyone shoukld follow in there footsteps and take bake from these multi-billion dollar corporations. ENOUGH no one deserves to bust there butt and at the end of the month have nothing o show for! stand up for what is right, not say well I have this so you don’t deserve that. Let’s look fr the real problem!!!
If it was actually about better wages and working conditions, well, you might have a point… but, it’s not. Unions today are about increased membership dues, with which to play politics. Public transportation has always been a heavily subsidized entity, needing efficient use of equipment, routes and personnel. The City Council was warned of inefficiencies in these areas years ago and offered an alternative. They failed (as usual) to use common sense, and kicked the can down the road. There won’t be a “winner” in this strike… there never is. Sympathy to employees, riders and management. Continuing exasperation with the City Council, who keep “Old” as the operative word in Old Pueblo.
I am a rider and I fully support our drivers! It’s not fair the conditions they have to work in! It’s not always about money. Yes it has a small part, but the bigger picture of this situation is their health and safety. If we ALL had a voice like they do to help them, why not use it? Yes this strike has hurt us but think about it. What if they all quit at once??? We would still be in the same boat! They just want to be safer and make sure that even our health with theirs is being taken care of! We are suppose to be a COMMUNITY to help each other, not hurt each other. As I see it, I just feel bad that everyone is being ignorant to the driver. How are we showing the next generation to be???? I want my children to help one another, rather than bash everyone and be hateful! Maybe that’s just me! But, it does have to start some place!
Other than the drivers needing protection from crazed riders, I see no other issue worth a strike. Their benefits cost the company 40% of each workers salary, on top of their salary, so each worker costs the company 140% of their annual compensation. No doubt a large part of this is because Sun Tran pays 100% of their employees health insurance.
Their total compensation–salary+benefits=more than most companies in Tucson.
I don’t think you did your research on this one, Mari.
All we have to do is let the driver carry a gun. Then they wouldn’t have to worry .
When someone (Herreras) can explain why a bus driver should receive more in pay and benefits than a school teacher, I will listen. Until then, my sympathies lie with those who rely on public (bus) transportation to get to work, doctor appointments and food shopping.
100% of health benefits plus 100% paid toward a pension – not a 401k like the rest of the working stills in non-union jobs? Twenty dollars and hour for unskilled work? Get real.
I suggest we offer the same deal to our public school teachers, it would be a step up.
I am so torn!
I support unions. I do not support the recent trend towards union busting. I want the bus drivers to be safe and well paid – and while we’re at it, let’s raise the minimum wage for everybody, and pay teachers more.
However… GAHHH!
Mari Herreras can probably find a hundred people who would give her a lift to work, or to the store. “Dirt poor” frequently means your friends don’t have cars either. Very old, very young, sick, disabled, mentally unsound… NO CARS… and no friends with cars, either, like as not… IT’S 108 OUT THERE! My disabled friend can’t walk four miles to the grocery store. His food now comes from the tiny gas station, a few blocks away.
SOMEBODY END THIS STRIKE!
It is becoming time to find replacement drivers… Maybe the Sun Tran drivers could find work driving a school bus? I hear they make REALLY good money!
This strike is pure bogus BS. Those whiny little union twerps can either learn to appreciate their above-normal wages, benefits, and pension package or quit and find something better. $19/hour for a job that doesn’t require any initial or continuing education is perfectly acceptable, and a fortunate wage for Tucson. As for the safety question, yes, drivers should be safe. However, 22 “assaults” (which included throwing paper transfer tickets at drivers) out of 19 million rides is hardly a problem. The drivers sometimes deal with a lowlife crowd. This a fact they should accept or find a new profession. The union needs to be busted and forced into the dustbin of history like so many others that have ran their course.