Garbage strike: Living with a can full of stinking meat

While it may not seem like a big deal if your garbage pick
up is missed this week, the Monson family is worried about
a can full of rotting meat.

Dori says they just emptied out the garage freezer and
he’s pretty sure the big green truck won’t be rolling down
his street until maybe next week.

Waste Management spokesperson Robin Friedman tells Dori he
should simply double the load next collection day.

“If your
service day is Friday and it’s missed tomorrow, the
following Friday we pick up double the load at no extra
charge,” she says.

A sight you might not be seeing for awhile. (AP photo)

That answer doesn’t work for Dori, who says he nearly hits
the maximum for yard waste, filling 6-10 cans, for each
pick up (Note: Dori has a big yard.)

This means Dori could potentially be dealing with 12-20
cans full of rotting food scraps and grass before someone
picks them up.

“I can’t take a day off from KIRO and tell my bosses I’ll
work twice as hard tomorrow, pay me for the day I don’t
show up to work,” Dori explains to Friedman.

There isn’t a satisfactory answer for Dori, who may have
to make a few dump runs. But Friedman says she shares in
the frustration and hopes her company and the driver’s
union can quickly come to an agreement.

“When do we get a pro-rated discount?” asks Dori.

“We’re not going to see that,” replies Friedman.

If the strike lasts two weeks, she says they’ll have
drivers out there to pick up your rubbish.

Dori’s not just picking on Waste Management. He doesn’t
understand what a guy making $17 per hour plus benefits
has to complain about.

Brenda Wiest, with Teamsters Local 117, says the strike is
about more than just the money.

“It’s about the process, it’s about fairness, and
it’s about lawful bargaining,” says Wiesr.

She also defends drivers saying that not anyone can do
their job. They have specific licenses and training and
the job is hard on the body.

The union says the company is trying to unilaterally
change working conditions, is threatening to retaliate
against workers, and is bargaining in bad-faith. It also
says that they want to be able to get their recycling/yard
waste drivers pay to match that of garbage drivers,
who reportedly earn $9 to $11 more per hour.

The 153 recycle and yard waste drivers have been working
without a contract since May 31. Replacement drivers have
been ready to take over since a strike vote was taken June
2.

You can call 1-800-230-7418 to report recycle, yard waste,
and garbage service disruptions and visit www.seattletrashwatch.org for updates and
information.