(August 2, 2005, updated Aug. 3) -- Faced with a possible wildcat refuse collection sick out -- which City Hall officialdom is publicly calling a "temporary staff shortage" -- city management says refuse WILL be collected with brief delays possible.
LBReport.com has learned that on Aug 2, about 35 (out of a daily crew of about 90) LB refuse collection employees called in sick...similar to the number who called in sick on Aug. 1.
At late afternoon Aug 2, city management issued a release stating that during what it called "temporary refuse collection staff shortages," City Hall is making "every effort to collect refuse and recycling on scheduled collection days" and "due to the temporary shortage, there may be some brief delays and special collections scheduled for this week will be handled on Saturday, August 6."
An LBReport.com reader reports no refuse collection took place in the vicinity of Wardlow Rd./Studebaker Rd. on Aug. 2.
The Manager of the City's Environmental Services Bureau, Jim Kuhl, said in the release that the City's recycling contractor, Waste Management, has been collecting refuse and recycling in some parts of LB. "All collected materials will be disposed of at the City's waste-to-energy plant where the materials are converted into electricity.," Mr. Kuhl said in the release, adding "We appreciate the community’s commitment to recycling and its patience. We expect to be back to normal next week."
At the evening City Council meeting, Janet Wright, President/Directing Business Rep for LB's Machinists (city employee) union came to the public podium, disavowed support for a work action...and urged city employees to perform their jobs, including refuse collection.