San José Garbage Collectors on Walkout
The garbage in San José may soon start to pile up if the refuse collectors for the Municipalidad de San José don't reach an agreement and continue their walkout, to resolve a number of issues that have been accumulating for some time.

Omar Antonio Ramírez Campos said that the garbage collectors are tired of working under the same conditions which the municipality has placed on them, beginning work at 6:00am and working until 10:00pm or 11:00pm every day, because many trucks are parked because they are in need of repair and the Municipalidad is not doing so.

"We like to do our job, but under these conditions it is difficult. We are conscious that the city must be kept always clean, but the Municipalidad does not help us for nothing. We are tired of this situation", said Campos.

Campos added that the municipal council assured and promised them trucks that are working, however, it hasn't been anything but words. Campos reminded that last year the workers had to take a similar work action to get the municipality to move on repairing the equipment.

The municipal worker who is speaking on behalf of all workers said that last year they were promised by the municipality four new trucks but never delivered on them. They also offered us leased garbage trucks, but they too are in need of repair and the Municipalidad pays the lease on them for nothing.

Campos added that they work in three rotating shifts. However, due to the truck situation the situation becomes complicated and many workers work past 10 at night.

Campos said that yesterday only five trucks were in working condition, which makes it impossible to do the job as San José has tons of garbage to be collected every day.

As of last night there was no word when the garbage collectors will meet with San José mayor, Johnny Araya, to find a solution to this conflict.