Garbage collectors' strike leaves a trashed-up Rio following Carnival

Rio's mayor, Eduardo Paes, has recognized that the “piles of trash” left on the streets following a garbage collectors' strike which began on March 1st and is held as illegal by courts has created an ugly picture of the city following Carnival, a peak tourist season.

As a result of the strike, bags of household garbage, bottles, disposable plastic cups, aluminum cans and plastic bags could still be seen on the sidewalks. Further delays in collecting the trash can lead to clogged manholes, causing widespread flooding in the streets.

The negotiations came to a deadlock when the street cleaning utility made a deal with the trade union to raise the 15,000 workers' minimum wage from $348 to $379. The strikers want a minimum $520 plus benefits. The group contrary to the deal claims it was closed without prior consultation with the category. Ten strikers' representatives were in the meeting that saw the agreement signed. They argue that the proposal was rejected by the strikers who were waiting outside, but the objection was ignored. 

Faced with the strike continuity, the company announced the termination of 300 street cleaners who did not work their night shifts on Monday (Mar. 3), but the mayor promised that he will cancel the layoffs if the workers get back to work on Thursday (6). Paes went on to report that all 300 garbage trucks are operating escorted by private security providers to protect them from alleged attacks by their striking colleagues.

Translated by Augusto Queiroz / Mayra Borges