Strike slows Princeton garbage collection

Waste Management service in borough and township affected.

By: Jennifer Potash
   A strike by a sanitation union has not caused serious garbage woes for Princeton Borough and Princeton Township this week, but municipal officials are examining a number of options in the event the strike lasts for a longer period of time.
   The borough’s trash hauler, Waste Management, is in the middle of a labor dispute with its Teamsters union members, who rejected a contract offer from the hauler on Sunday and went on strike Monday.
   The Waste Management office, based in Trenton, brought in replacement workers who didn’t get very far on the routes Monday, said Princeton Borough Administrator Robert Bruschi.
   Trash pickup in the borough continued on Tuesday and Thursday and is expected to be completed today, Mr. Bruschi said.
   "They’re making a good attempt to keep up with it," he said.
   The borough is working with downtown merchants — who are not covered under the municipal garbage contract but may have private arrangements with Waste Management — to make alternate plans for trash removal, Mr. Bruschi said.
   "There were a couple of bad spots," he said of the downtown. "We’ve provided them with a list of other haulers they may wish to contact."
   The borough has a small garbage truck, primarily used for leaf pickup, but lacks the proper state licenses for trash collection, Mr. Bruschi said.
   "We’re examining what our options are," he said.
   Based on the contract with Waste Management, the borough intends to fine the company for the missed pickups, Mr. Bruschi said.
   Princeton Township, which does not offer municipal trash pickup, is keeping posted on the trash situation as many residents have contracts with Waste Management, said James Pascale the township administrator.
   "We’re monitoring it on a day-to-day basis," he said.
   Thus far, few residents have contacted the township about garbage concerns, said Donald Hansen, public works superintendent.
   "So far, so good," he said.
   Lacking the density of much of Princeton Borough, the only place that might be a cause for worry is the Princeton Shopping Center, he said. But the shopping center uses a different waste hauler, Mr. Hansen said.
   Recycling service in the township was also affected because the company that serves Mercer County municipalities, Central Jersey Waste & Recycling Inc., has more than 40 drivers represented by the striking union. Those drivers are not on strike, but will not cross the picket lines at the county’s waste transfer station in Ewing.
   The bulk of the recycling pickup appeared to have been completed by Wednesday, Mr. Pascale said.