Possible Toronto Trash Strike Halts Daily Routine
A recent preparatory plan in Toronto proves how important recycling and waste management is in an urban area.
According to the Toronto Star, the City has released its emergency plan for a possible strike that may start on midnight, June 21, ending recycling and trash collection throughout the city.
The possible strike has had a major affect on summer plans and recreation for the city. While parks will remain open for “causal use,” permits for soccer fields and wedding photography will be canceled. Swimming pools, golf courses, wading pools and community centers will also be closed.
It’s estimated that 6,000 outside workers and 18,000 inside workers may walk off the job. The City is urging residents to store their garbage and green-bin organics for the first week of the strike. If the strike goes beyond five days, the City will announce local drop-off locations.
The city will be on a virtual lockdown as public access to city hall, Metro hall, North York and Scarborough civic centers will be restricted. Furthermore, programs such as swimming lessons or day camps will be canceled and all city-owned child care centers will be shut down.
“I must be clear, we do not want a labor disruption to occur,” says City Manager Joe Pennachetti. “We do not want a strike, and we believe a strike is unnecessary. “We’re working 18-hour days, and as far as we are concerned we are working toward a settlement.”
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The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.
Trey Granger
posted on June 18th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I always found garbage strikes amusing because how much leverage could a city have when it comes to preventing waste from piling up? Then again, the air traffic controllers strike was unsuccessful and they were responsible for landing planes safely.
D Stewart
posted on June 21st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Please be aware that I can help you dispose of your garbage. Email me at dstewart@ridofit.com
Russ
posted on July 1st, 2009 at 9:43 am
Just a thought … If Toronto residents are really fed up being held hostage under mounds of garbage, why not simply dump your garbage off in front of those picket lines of striking civil servants? Similarly, why not dump your garbage off at municipal offices, police stations, the mayor’s residence, the residence’s of City councilors, etc.? Wouldn’t that make cleanup easier once the strike is over? (Always think ahead).
If anything, once opposing sides in this dispute are directly exposed to the rotting refuse they so flagrantly inflict on local citizenry, the smell alone might help remind them that their primary commitment is to the taxpayer.
Personally, and as a rural resident, I have no great love for the hopelessly gridlocked, multi-confused ‘Big Smoke’ or whatever misery its residents so willfully endure. It could be argued that the smell of rotting garbage is a noticable improvement. It’s all part of the “Manhattanization” experiment you sewer rats were all so fond of.