Toulouse: the garbage collectors’ strike divides the inhabitants
The garbage collectors’ strike continues. Faced with piling up waste, the opinions of Toulousans are mixed.
Joëlle, retired, slalom through the waste. This resident of the Joan of Arc district walks cautiously. “A stroller can no longer pass on the sidewalks, the waste invades them”, she observes. The rue Matabiau is dotted with full trash cans this Friday. “Fortunately, it is not hot. The smell outside would be difficult to bear “, continues the Toulouse woman before adding:” I am not aware of the dissensions between Toulouse Métropole and the garbage collectors. I just hope it will work out. “
A few meters away, a shopkeeper admits to “understanding the garbage collectors on strike”. As long as this mode of action remains “a snap”, that’s fine with me. If, on the other hand, the situation drags on, things will quickly become complicated, ”he confides.
In the city center, a few garbage trucks circulate before noon. Their presence is not enough to catch up. Far from there.
Since the start of the garbage collection movement on November 22, the streets of the city have changed. The blocking of the two deposits started this Thursday has almost nullified the collection of trash. All neighborhoods suffer from it.
In the Grand Mirail, in Bagatelle, heaps of garbage cans jonchen the ground at the foot of the residences. Franck, a garbage bag in his hand, looks for where to put it. “The bins are full. I’ll put it on top. It’s the only option, ”he says. According to Franck, “the strike is not justified”. “We all work seven hours a day. Yes, it’s a tough job but there is enough compensation for it. All of Toulouse is crumbling under garbage. They must wake up, ”he pleaded.
The Toulouse suburbs are also affected by the strike. In Blagnac, Paulo, a resident, says: “I live near a large building. In front, there is a wall of garbage cans. Rats roam. I’ve never seen that. On pay taxes. The town hall must not leave us without a solution. “
On social networks, residents of outlying towns growl. Some people wonder: “Why not entrust the collection of waste to private companies. The negotiations do not succeed… ”The president of the Metropolis, Jean-Luc Moudenc, mentioned this possibility. Pending an outcome, the unions are determined to continue this war. Next week, they toughened up the strike a bit more.