Divergent Views on Sanitation Strike

Re “Strike Halts Trash Pickup in Much of O.C.,” Sept. 2:

I find it absolutely appalling and disgusting that state workers in Minnesota and sanitation workers in Orange County chose to strike.

Their timing was poor considering the country is at war and this is not a time for selfishness. In this rapidly declining economy they should be lucky to have a job.

Skip Houston

Laguna Beach

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Striking garbage collectors in Orange County were unhappy with their present average wages of $42,000 per year. How terrible for these poor oppressed members of the working class.

The starting salary for a Huntington Beach police officer is $44,304. Do we really need to pay people $42,000 per year to pick up garbage? And is it any wonder police departments have difficulty finding enough people? Garbage collectors get weekends off, and they don’t get shot at.

Arnie Bell

Huntington Beach

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No one wants a labor dispute involving garbage truck drivers. It’s unfortunate for workers attempting to improve their living, for the companies that must provide reliable waste collection service, and for businesses and residents who bear the burden of collections delayed or missed.

As an Orange County resident directly affected by the strike, I have strong personal and professional opinions about waste. We should be thankful. It would have been worse if not for the hard work of Orange County, the cities and their trash haulers.

State law requires every city and county in the state to divert at least half the waste generated within its jurisdiction away from landfills through prevention, reuse and recycling programs. Orange County residents and businesses participate in a variety of waste diversion programs that are helping to meet this requirement.

If there is something we can learn from the strike, it is this: The less we throw out, the more we save--in collection costs, resources and landfill space. Residents should remain vigilant in keeping recyclables out of their trash cans. This reduces the amount of waste that must be collected and puts valuable natural resources back into use. Whether you participate in curbside collection efforts or return beverage containers for their deposit, you are helping.

Businesses should take a new look at their waste prevention and recycling efforts. Whatever they don’t throw in trash saves money. And, purchasing office supplies and equipment made with recycled content helps build and sustain markets for materials we want to keep recycling.

Garbage truck drivers and the companies that employ them work hard to reduce Orange County’s waste stream. We should join them by doing our part.

Linda Moulton-Patterson

Chair

California Integrated

Waste Management Board