Recognizing the week of June 17th through June 23rd as "Sanitation Workers Week" in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Across Philadelphia, sanitation workers collect, transport and properly dispose of waste and recycling in our neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, Regardless of temperature or inclement weather, these individuals ensure our communities remain clean and safe; and

WHEREAS, However, sanitation departments across Pennsylvania struggle to retain workers due to physically taxing nature of the work and persistent threats to staff health and safety; and

WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 pandemic, sanitation workers were a critical component of the essential workforce; and

WHEREAS, These community members worked extended hours, up to seven days a week in some cases, to meet increased demands across the state; and

WHEREAS, Stay-at-home orders led to a 30% increase in trash collections, further exacerbating issues plaguing the sanitation workforce; and

WHEREAS, The sanitation workers continue their exceptional work in the face of skyrocketing residential trash volume, with the City’s on-time pick-up rate hovering around 98%; and

WHEREAS, The work sanitation workers do is invaluable and fundamental to our daily lives and the environment; and

WHEREAS, The Council celebrates our sanitation workers and shows our appreciation for their contributions in keeping Pennsylvania beautiful; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the week of June 17th through June 23rd be recognized as “Sanitation Workers Week” in the City of Philadelphia.

End