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deja vu

Sit back, my friends, for I have a tale to tell.

Back in 1993, I got a job as a bus driver for the university. I loved that job. I was there for five years or so, working my way to dispatcher/supervisor. But, like all good things, my time there had to come to an end. It was a university job, and my graduation meant I had to find employment elsewhere.

So I went to work for the university's major competition - the company where I currently work, by the way.

I was there for six months or so. I liked it. It didn't pay very well, but it was rewarding and enjoyable. Then one day, as I was preparing to leave on a run, the Big Boss asked me, "What are your plans for the future?"

At first I thought he was firing me.

Instead, he offered me a full-time position with FarAwayEvilCompany, with whom he was working to help get them started. (Of course, at the time I didn't know the company was evil.) I didn't think of the 50-minute commute. I didn't think of the fact that it was a start-up. All I knew was I would get a major pay raise and benefits. Namely, insurance. I accepted the position.

It was hell. But the details of my job can be spared for another day.

After I was there for over a year, FarAwayEvilCompany's main competition started to step in. We were broke, and owed them lots of money for running service for us. We were originally told they would be taking a "overseeing" role in our development. It soon became clear that we were being taken over. The county had sold us to them, lock, stock and bus.

At first, it seemed everything would be all right. I was assured, "We'll take care of you, don't worry. You'll make out well on this deal."

A few days later that changed to, "Things will stay pretty much the same." I became a bit leery.

When we were finally allowed to meet with the higher-ups, the tune had changed considerably. The manager looked me in the eye and said, "We wanted the drivers, but didn't need the office staff. You're lucky to have a job."

It was charity I could do without. I put in my resignation letter the next day.

I called my current company, the one who had sent me to FarAwayEvilCompany. They were more than happy to have me back, but not as just a driver. They wanted a dispatcher. I happily accepted.

Fast-forward four months to today. I have deja vu.

My current employer is in the process of absorbing the first company I worked for.

Fortunately, I am on the other side of the fence this time. Unfortunately, I have to take a wary attitude to this move. If the deal goes through (and it won't be fully decided until late January), I have been promised a full time position. With benefits.

Other people have promised me these things before. I trust my employer, but I am still scared.

There will be problems. Many people at the university have very bad feelings towards us. The feud has been long and harsh. Friends that I still talk to have told me, "I would rather eat glass than work where you do."

How many will jump ship?

If the deal works out as I have been told it will, they stand to profit. Better pay. Better hours. Better vehicles. Better working conditions.

I have been in their shoes. I understand their feelings. But what can I tell them? Nothing. I'm only a dispatcher. They already know as much as I do.

Five months ago I was a member of Team Underdog. Today I work for the Bad Guy.

I understand why the deal was worked out. The university has been outsourcing everything it can. They have lots of operating money for salaries. We have lots of capital money for new vehicles and maintenance. The county only needs one transit service. It makes sense that we work together, rather than competing for the same small pool of passengers.

Still...

I hope this plays out like it has been planned. The alternative is ugly.

Looking Up

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Listening to The Boogie Funk radio show.

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