Today marks Day 20 of the municipal strike in Toronto. 
Day 20 of no garbage pick up. 
About 24,000 inside and outside municipal workers walked off the job in Toronto on the first day of summer, stopping garbage pickup and issuing of licenses and permits. Also shut down are city-run daycares, parks and recreation programs, community centres, swimming pools and ferry service to the island.
Several parks throughout the city have been designated as "dumping grounds" with the inevitable protests from the neighbours who object to the loss of their green space and/or the use of pesticides to keep the rats and insects away from the piles of rotting garbage. Not to mention the smell that keeps people from being able to open their windows or sit in their own yards. 
I did not venture near any of these parks for this PhotoHunt as I was not in the mood for the smell or the pickets. At the moment I am just glad to not actually be living in Toronto. Since no-one is backing down, this could be a long, smelly, frustrating summer for the nearly 3 million people who do live there.
Day 20 of no garbage pick up. About 24,000 inside and outside municipal workers walked off the job in Toronto on the first day of summer, stopping garbage pickup and issuing of licenses and permits. Also shut down are city-run daycares, parks and recreation programs, community centres, swimming pools and ferry service to the island.Several parks throughout the city have been designated as "dumping grounds" with the inevitable protests from the neighbours who object to the loss of their green space and/or the use of pesticides to keep the rats and insects away from the piles of rotting garbage. Not to mention the smell that keeps people from being able to open their windows or sit in their own yards. I did not venture near any of these parks for this PhotoHunt as I was not in the mood for the smell or the pickets. At the moment I am just glad to not actually be living in Toronto. Since no-one is backing down, this could be a long, smelly, frustrating summer for the nearly 3 million people who do live there. for more garbage
What a stinky coincidence that todays hunt was garbage!
ReplyDeleteOH no..i guess the workers are on strike. I can just imagine the fowl smell.
ReplyDeleteMy garbage (not stinky though) is now up.
Happy weekend!
It's too bad they are dumping it in the parks :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by mine.
I used to live in TO and remember many summertime garbage strikes. And the stench. Poor you, hope it's over soon.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like an irresponsible action and I'm sure they're not making themselves very well liked. How much are they asking for? Are they being unreasonable?
ReplyDeletea reminder of the amount of garbage that is generated!
ReplyDeleteWhat a mess! Such a sad situation. Hope it is resolved soon. Perfect pix for this week's theme.
ReplyDeleteYep - the negative side of the strikes - for everyone to see and smell ;-)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
I read something about this. It must be truly horrible to live with it. A photo-opportunity you could do without.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting mine. :)
Oh, wow! I had no idea...
ReplyDeleteWow! This could get really gross, really fast... oh, it looks like it already has... Imagine what garbage the fans at the Toronto Blue Jays games produce... Wow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
Ugh, I can't even imagine what this is like! I remember very well when the several grocery stores were on strike for 6 mo.- and that was already so frustrating!
ReplyDeleteColleen: yes I took advantage - and actually deliberately ventured into the city to take photos.
ReplyDeleteArlene: the areas around the dump sites and some alleyways are rather pungent.
Teena: I know - how stupid is that? surely there are better alternatives.
Azahar: the last one in 2002 didn't last as long, but the weather was hotter.
ReplyDeleteIrene: garbage collection should be an essential service, IMHO. and no, they are not popular. the sticking point, and the most unpopular, are the banked sick days (i.e. if you never take a paid sick day you get reimbursed the money)
magiceye: a constant reminder. the papers are full of fresh ideas for reducing or storing or recycling your garbage.
ReplyDeleteTara: it was easy to get!
Snoopy: and the sad irony is that many of the people who would be using some of these parks live in apartments and have no access to backyards, but do have private garbage pickup.
A: yes, it is. I am fortunate to be living far enough away to not be affected.
ReplyDeleteRJ Flamingo: oh but you could still come to visit - it isn't all that bad in many areas.
srp: and these were the nice pictures.
Jeannette: you had a grocery strike? for 6 months?
Aaarghhh. I think our 21st century western civilization should be way beyond strikes. They're so barbaric and pointless. Get over yourselves already. We have lawyers. labour experts and professional negotiators to settle labour issues. There's no need for this thuggery. I hate this shite.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nightmare!
ReplyDeleteFrankly altho' this is obviously causing inconvenience often this is the only way workers can get attention to their problems. Employers rarely do anything for workers out of the kindness of their own corporate hearts, and lawyers can only do so much.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm glad this isn't the summer we planned on visiting Toronto! Amazing what a challenge will get people out to photograph! Great pics!
ReplyDeleteIt is a terrible situation in Toronto and I am glad I don't live there too. I can't imagine how bad it must be.
ReplyDeleteYuck! I'm glad we're not having that problem here.
ReplyDeleteLove your texture photos in the Sunday post, by the way.
Ewww.
ReplyDeleteThat's all.
XUP: after your bus strike last winter no wonder you have a bit of anger towards unions!
ReplyDeleteAlice Audrey: it is a nightmare for many.
Amanda: yes, BUT some of the demands are rather petty and with the timing, a little absurd.
Oliag: I know, my friend could not believe it when I said I wanted to find some of the overflowing garbage to photograph. In many touristy parts of the city it isn't too bad because of private contractors.
ReplyDeleteDawn: I know people near one of the big parks... no pleasant evening strolls for them.
Sherry: thanks
Jazz. yes.
Wow. Not something that has happened here in VA, from what I've been told. Makes me wonder what would happen if it did/does. Glad my contribution to the trash is minimal.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little behind in my reading and so have been trying to catch up!
ReplyDeleteI recall when NY had a terrible strike like this. It was just horrific. :( I hope it all get resolved soon for the Toronto folks. Phewie.....
Annette: something like this makes you think a little more seriously about your own garbage.
ReplyDeleteSistertex: tempers are flaring, made worse by such antics as the strikers being told to make people wait when they come by the dump sites.
Oh my gosh!!! I think you win the post for Best PH Garbage Post. Wow. And a strike!! lol, how's it going?
ReplyDelete*sniff sniff* I can smell Canada from here...
Thanks for visiting my Garbage post last week. :)
Mrs. Mecomber
http://newyorktraveler.net