The failure to collect waste during the summer in various cities in the US has become a serious issue. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
This situation has arisen due to the strike of workers from the private waste management company Republic Services. The workers express dissatisfaction with their wages and social security conditions.
As a result, millions of Americans are facing waste issues. Strikes have spread across the entire country.
On July 1, the Teamsters Local 25 union, covering 14 cities near Boston, began a strike by waste workers. This movement later expanded to California, Illinois, Georgia, and Washington states.
Although agreements have been reached with some cities, the problem remains unresolved in many areas. Mike Ortiz, a driver with 17 years of experience from Malden, emphasizes the low wages, stating, "You can't live a month on the salary they are offering."
The total number of striking workers has exceeded 2,000. They are dissatisfied with equipment malfunctions, poor hygiene conditions, and a hazardous work environment.
Republic Services accused the union of illegal activities during the strikes. Allegations included slashing tires, spraying chemicals, and assaulting drivers.
However, the Teamsters deny these accusations. Experts believe that the accumulation of waste in open areas, especially during the summer months, negatively impacts health and hygiene.
This increases public pressure in favor of the workers. For example, in Philadelphia, an agreement was reached within just eight days of the workers going on strike.
Some cities have established alternative waste collection points, while in some areas, temporary contracts have been made with other private companies. However, these measures incur additional costs to the budget.
For this reason, negotiations are ongoing to find a permanent solution to the problem.
