March 28, 2024 1:59 pm

A normal day at the South Central Solid Waste Authority in Las Cruces, NM, is full of constant traffic and lots of trash. On average, each day, they will haul 25 to 30 loads, each weighing 20-tons, to the landfill.

“We have great job security, because the will never, not be trash, and it will always need to be taken care of,” said Robert Gorman, the transfer station manager.

Robert Gorman stands among all the commotion of the transfer station floor
Robert Gorman stands among all the commotion of the transfer station floor

Gorman has worked for SCSWA since they opened in 1996, where he began working as a truck driver and swiping the floor. He eventually worked his way up to where he is now, as Transfer Station Manager.

Throughout the day there is constant traffic on both sides of the station floor. One side for Las Cruces residents and small businesses, and the other side for city dump truck and compactors.

This pit bull dozer hardly ever stops moving throughout the day, working to push the trash into the compactor.
This pit bull dozer hardly ever stops moving throughout the day, working to push the trash into the compactor.
Dust flies as a large dump truck dumps dry wall pieces and insulation.
Dust flies as a large dump truck dumps dry wall pieces and insulation.
Station floor workers communicate with each other and truck drivers to make sure all the trash is dumped.
Station floor workers communicate with each other and truck drivers to make sure all the trash is dumped.
Landscapers visit SCSWA two a day to dump a variety of trash.
Landscapers visit SCSWA two a day to dump a variety of trash.

Danny Basson’s official title is Transfer Station Attendant, but his job is to spray water on to trucks and the trash they are dumping to keep the dust to a minimal level throughout the station floor. Each worker is still required to wear a mask as a precaution. Basson was already retired, when he got bored and decided he needed something to do.

“Danny has been with us for about eight months, and he will probably moving into a new position soon because here we don’t believe in someone being stuck in a position,” said Gorman.

Basson sprays truck dumping dry wall and insulation.
Basson sprays truck dumping dry wall and insulation.
"Not for Public Use"
“Not for Public Use”
Basson sprays water on the trash, truck and bull dozer most of the day in order to keep the dust down.
Basson sprays water on the trash, truck and bull dozer most of the day in order to keep the dust down.

After watching this men work it is pretty easy to see that Obama was in fact right, Americans do the dirty work in our country and with out their hard work, dedication and sacrifice our country would be a “dump”.

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1 thought on “The Dirty Job No One Wants

  1. Good. BUT…you need to show the people more. Get IN THE DIRT and shoot back at the worker! Get dirty.
    I like your choice of subject and I like that you surveyed the scene. Just add people and their labor.

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