Taylor Swift gifts $130K bonuses to truckers, $75M in total to Eras Tour staff

globalnews.ca:

All Too Well how easy it is for their work to go unnoticed and unappreciated. But Taylor Swift is making sure her staff’s Wildest Dreams come true this Cruel Summer, by giving them massive bonuses for helping make her hugely successful Eras Tour a reality.As part of Swift’s Christmas in July bonus spree, the pop star doled out about $75 million (US$55 million) in bonuses for the dancers, caterers, drivers, riggers and more who worked on the Eras Tour, a source told People.One trucking company that was hired by Swift told CNN that its drivers each received a surprise check worth $130,000 (US$100,000) over the weekend as a thank-you gift, complete with a handwritten note from Swift.Michael Scherkenbach, founder and CEO of Shomotion trucking company said nearly 50 truckers received the six-figure bonus.

He called it a “life-changing” amount of money that far exceeds the standard bonus his truckers usually get.“The typical amount is $5,000 to $10,000 each. So this large amount is unbelievable,” he told CNN.He said his drivers were shocked when they read the amount on their cheques, adding that this kind of money could help his employees put down payments on houses or set up college funds for their kids.“Look, fair wage doesn’t put you in a position to buy a home.

But this opens up that possibility,” Scherkenbach said.The bonuses were handed out during what was supposed to be a routine meeting ahead of one of Swift’s L.A. shows.

Scherkenbach said he was going over the rundown for the week when Swift’s father, Scott Swift, made a surprise visit.“Scott gave a speech saying that he had discussed this with Taylor and they thought that it was only right that everybody received a bonus. Taylor insisted on writing a handwritten note