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