Pg. 9 APR 22 - MAY 5, 2020 - QCNERVE.COM
NEWS & OPINION FEATURE THE OTHER ESSENTIALS
bonus to drivers who complete the automation training in a week. CCWU worries that this could lead to even more accidents and injuries. “One week is not long enough for automation training,” said Joshua, who has experience with driving automatic trucks. “Drivers can get relaxed, they can get in accidents, they Sanitation workers feel can tear up mailboxes … Are you saying that my life and my health neglected and endangered in is only worth $100?” crisis In an email, Williams stated that SWS hoped to “make a full BY NIKOLAI MATHER transition to automated-only collection using all available As an employee at the City of Charlotte Solid drivers.” Waste Services Department (SWS), which collects CCWU also cited the recent garbage, recycling and other waste from Charlotte’s death of Adrian Grubbs, an residents, Joshua has seen his workplace change employee at Raleigh’s Solid Waste dramatically to combat the spread of COVID-19. But Department, as cause for concern. he and many of his coworkers are worried that it A father of three, Grubbs tested hasn’t changed enough. positive for COVID-19 and died “You on edge,” explained Joshua, whose name shortly thereafter. In the April 7 has been changed so that he could speak freely. press release, CCWU expressed “It’s like, man, I have to pray before I get in my truck concerns “about their own health every day. When you’re dealing with trash, you really and safety … especially as the don’t know what you’re dealing with. You could be number of positive test results picking up someone’s trash and not knowing that and deaths continue to climb.” someone is sick.” A LOCAL UNION LODGE SHOWED THEIR SUPPORT FOR SANITATION WORKERS. PHOTO BY RYAN PITKIN Grubbs’ death is all the more After Mayor Vi Lyles declared a state of emergency reason for a staggered schedule, in response to COVID-19 on March 15, the Charlotte Harris said: “We should not have to risk our lives hand sanitizers, wipes and gloves for everyone. We to normal schedules “will certainly increase the City Workers Union (CCWU), a chapter of the North because rich people want trash collected before dark.” also conducted respirator training for those who number of infections of employees.” Carolina Public Service Workers Union, issued a letter With all this in mind, CCWU launched another want to use respirators.” In a press release issued on April 7, the CCWU to Lyles and City Manager Marcus Jones calling for When asked about access to N95 masks, Joshua petition to secure double hazard pay, increased “commonsense measures” to protect public service alleges that the change was made in response to said the training only showed how to use the masks, personal protective equipment, a complete return complaints from residents who did not like that the workers and other community members. Those to the staggered work schedule and daily screenings staggered schedules led to and didn’t actually provide them. “They didn’t have those masks for us. They told for COVID-19 symptoms. With 265 signatures and later pick-ups. counting, there is hope that the city government “Does this mean that us that it was on order,” he said. Joshua also alleged that workers at the waste will give their demands more consideration. the city is more concerned The city manager recently recommended about rich people having treatment facilities only get one pair of latex gloves their trash picked up at 7 per day, and have trouble accessing adequate hand that the city give a 5% “premium pay” increase to first responders and other city workers who p.m., rather than the lives sanitizer and disinfectant. “They gave us disinfectant wipes, but they have frequent, direct contact with the public — a of sanitation workers?” the would only give you one [per day],” he said. “You’re suggestion that Harris said “is not enough.” release asks. Joshua agreed. CCWU also detailed getting in and out of your truck, you’re working “They need to pay sanitation workers a lot more the workplace conditions through the day, but you’ve only got one pair of attention,” he said. “Definitely think about hazard under COVID-19, stating gloves and one wipe. It’s not affecting anything.” Employees have also noted concerns about SWS pay, and not just give us pennies, because it may that workers were not PHOTO BY RYAN PITKIN supplied with any masks or accelerating its training program for automated just be the cost of our lives.” With the next city council meeting set for April hand sanitizer and only given garbage truck drivers. The training process typically 27, workers hope to gain more ground. Above all, takes four weeks, enough time to give new drivers one pair of latex gloves per day. The union decried measures included providing adequate personal Joshua hopes to see more unity from the city. ample time to get used to driving a bulkier vehicle rumors of a 3% salary increase for hazard pay. protective equipment, free COVID-19 testing, free “It’s not just about me picking up trash; it’s from the right-hand side. “The City is sitting on 16% reserves totaling childcare for local government employees, granting making sure that we feel that we are loved and that CCWU alleges that the department is unsafely over $116 million for a ‘rainy day,’ and meanwhile double time hazard pay and staggered shifts so as to we’re all in this together. Don’t just think about one expediting the process by attempting to train new the City Council has not even convened a meeting observe social distancing. side or one group of people.” Over 200 city workers signed a petition since March 16,” stated Dominic Harris, president drivers in only a week. Joshua confirmed that SWS has offered a $100 of the CCWU, in the press release. ”They need to supporting these measures, which CCWU delivered along with the letter. Initially, the city granted a staggered schedule to all employees. But by April 6, SWS had scrapped the staggered schedule and ordered automatic truck drivers to return to work. The union condemned the change, stating in another letter that the return
immediately call a meeting and release these funds to defend essential city workers.” In an email, SWS spokesperson Brandi Williams defended the current personal protective equipment policy: “[C]rews are provided with personal protective equipment to include masks,
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