On July 15, Santa Cruz County bus drivers' held an informational picket line at the Santa Cruz Metro Transit Center on Pacific Ave. in downtown Santa Cruz.

Transit workers around the nation have been facing off with employers over health care and wages. In Oakland, CA a strike of 2,300 Bay Area Rapid Transit workers was derailed early Wednesday morning, after union officials, and BART management agreed to contract terms. Elsewhere, union officials in Phoenix, AZ put the brakes on a June 30 bus strike, and in Philadelphia last month, SEPTA (transit) workers agreed to stay on the job without a contract until Sept 5. Meanwhile, Santa Cruz Metro workers, are ramping up pressure for a fair deal after their contract talks reached a stalemate. FSRN's Vinny Lombardo looks at how rising health insurance costs leave both workers and employers unable to foot the bill.

Santa Cruz Metro workers, are ramping up pressure for a fair deal after their contract talks reached a stalemate. Bus drivers, mechanics, and other workers, who've gone without a contract since March 31, maintained a three hour picket line at the downtown bus station Wednesday, after talks with management broke off.

On June 24, I took part in the first ever Santa Cruz Midnight Mystery Ride.

Santa Cruz had its first Midnight Mystery Ride two Fridays ago. 30 riders explored the dark hours of pedal powered play.