Leslie Grant & Jeffry Skemp, 2024

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We started this work by connecting with members of the Amalgamated Transit Workers union (ATU) local 1005 by attending meetings and handing out flyers. We then met with workers who were interested in being part of the project to talk about what kind of photographs we could make together. Jeffrey and I rode the bus with operator Todd Eddy, traversing different routes and photographing him at end of the line rest areas. In a small studio set-up, and with Todd’s direct participation, we photographed the tools he brings with him when he drives the bus. I worked separately with mechanic Kira Ross, photographing her at the Metro Transit garage where she maintained and repaired buses. I also researched historical transit images at the Hennepin History Museum, scanning and including some in the project. Kira kindly shared some personal snapshots of herself on the job, two of which are now part of the project. We also photographed David Stiggers, President of the ATU Local 1005, in his office, and took pictures of objects from the union local's archive of historical materials.

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Thanks to: Dave Butts, Todd Eddy, Drew Kerr, Gudrun Lock, Kira Ross, Kathryn Savage, David Stiggers, Clarence White, Elizabeth Workman, and The Eastside Freedom Library.