Inconsistent and inadequate waste collection in Nassau is being blamed on the “trickle-down” effect of budget cuts in the Department of Environmental Health, claims a union chief. With overtime funding cut out of this year’s budget, some sanitation workers have decided not to go the extra mile.
Residents throughout Nassau have expressed frustration and disgust at having to wait for over two weeks before their garbage is collected.
Some sanitation workers have responded to the complaints by citing reduced operating hours as the root cause of the decrease in service. They say workers now have to do more, in less time, and that doesn’t set well with unionized workers.
Though he could not speak to the complaints of customers, John Pinder, president of the Bahamas Public Service Union, pointed out that inclement weather, mechanical problems and labour disputes would all contribute to the quality of service and morale of employees, agitating conditions in the midst of budget cuts.
It would appear that labour disputes might be the biggest factor, with unon members upset that they no longer get paid overtime to do the job they should be able to do within a normal work week.
Mr Pinder said: “A truck could be down, and the mechanic who is no longer allowed overtime, will take more time to fix it now.
“There is no compensation for overtime, so all that would add up to them not wanting to go above the call of duty,” Pinder admitted.
