These drivers are great people. And it is a shame the large corporate contractor is screwing with them so much. Aramark lost arbitration and is still refusing to pay up. Kind of like the Exxon case that is supposed to be over but Exxon now claims they shouldn't have to pay interest. It is just corporate delaying, hope-you-die-first- anti-worker BS.
Many of these drivers have been doing this because they love it for a decade or more. They started with the National Parks and the National Parks sold them out to Aramark. If you are going to Denali soon please send a letter to Aramark and tell them to pay the wages they owe.
Unfortunately, most people won't care and this may end with the long-experienced drivers losing their jobs because they demanded fair wages and decent treatment. I just got back from the National
Park and my driver stayed overnite at Wonder Lake in a trailer - then started the next morning driving a 6:30 a.m. bus that made it down the dusty, bumpy road to the Wilderness Access Center about 12:30 p.m. - then he had to clean the bus and have a quick lunch - then pick up a new load starting at Riley Creek by 2:00 p.m. - then return to Wonder Lake about 8:00 p.m. or so where he spends the night again.
Like I said, most of these people have been doing it for years and they love the National Park - but I doubt they love working for Aramark. It is a pity so many National Parks are now contracted to private monopolies.
I guess Aramark wants to hire Bulgarians to drive the busses just like the ones who work at all the lodges and don't complain about being automatically charged daily fees for housing and food whether they eat or not.
Hope everyone has fun on their tour!
"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform."
Mark Twain
With Diesel fuel hitting close to $5.50 a gallon in Alaska along with the low numbers of tourist traveling there and every where else I cant imagen how the company that owns the tour buses can afford to keep them running plus pay the drivers a decent wage. Times are tough and it isn't looking any better for the year 2009.
