~ Op-Ed ~ Trash….Frustration, Understanding, Opportunity & Politics

Frustration: The past few weeks have taught us that those things we take for granted, well, maybe we shouldn’t. Residents are understandably frustrated at the impact the trash and recycling disruptions have had in our community. Online comments show a city frustrated but also very appreciative of the excellent job the city has done with communicating openly and clearly and providing options for residents. Right now, dumpsters are like gold. It was only through the early action of city leaders that Malden secured more than its fair share to offer residents reasonable options to drop off trash and recycling during the curbside disruption. It leaves many who may be elderly, disabled or without cars with more challenges using these options, reminding us all of the need to be a good neighbor. A survey of other cities impacted by the strike will show many were nowhere near as prepared as Malden in planning for drop-off options.

Understanding: I must admit, I never gave much thought to how difficult a job it is that workers who pick up our trash and recycling perform. Just think about jumping on and off the back of a truck thousands a time a week, lifting heavy barrel after barrel, dealing with the smell of trash constantly, and doing it in the rain, the snow, the cold, and 100-degree heat. When I went to talk to the Republic workers on strike, you really get the sense that all these hard workers are fighting for is a pay package that recognizes the ridiculously difficult job they do. Think about it next time you are at work sitting behind your keyboard complaining to facilities because it’s 75 degrees in the office and you are a tad warm. Secretary of State Bill Galvin commented recently that perhaps there is a role for state oversight of such a critical function. It’s an interesting thought and one worth exploring.

Opportunity: The disruption forced us to look at contract language from a contract executed in 2011 and understand the importance of language that really makes this type of disruption costly to our hauler. It will force solutions earlier. Our current contract has just under six years left. We’ve known that there’s a strong community desire to make changes to the current program. We also now know that clauses that seemed relatively obscure in the past such as force majeure language can become critical. In the early days of the strike, we saw communities with strong language prioritized by Republic over those like Malden that didn’t have favorable language. Consider us educated for the next contract.

Politics: No crisis would be complete without some using it to their advantage in the never-ending game of local politics. As I mentioned, the vast majority of residents have been understandably frustrated but at the same time fair and appreciative of the fact that of course, this isn’t a situation the city caused or has control over. I did get a laugh when two predicably critical online Facebook pages masquerading as news sources criticized the city for not taking legal action against Republic and in general for not doing enough, only to have a complaint filed in Salem District Court moments later! Somehow the story covering this failed to make the editorial cuts. I get it, you can’t help but use the crisis as an opportunity to criticize those who you aren’t politically aligned with, but when your timing is so unbelievably bad that you post a long-winded story about how not enough is being done as lawyers are finalizing and filing a lawsuit against Republic, shouldn’t you just own it?

Let’s hope this strike is closer to the end than it feels like it is from updates on negotiations. I know when it is, I’ll take a minute to thank the Republic workers who serve my neighborhood. New appreciation? You bet, and I’m not afraid to admit it.

Craig Spadafora

Councillor-At-Large