Did your trash get picked up today? Durham solid waste workers on strike for increased pay

For the fourth day in a row, most of the trash isn't being picked up in Durham.

Many of Durham's solid waste workers didn't get on their trucks to collect trash on Thursday. Instead, they're on strike, demanding more money and better benefits.

On Saturday, Durham residents said authorities with the Solid Waste Management Department told them the trash would be picked up in their neighborhoods.

It is not clear who is picking up the trash and which neighborhoods had trash pickup over the weekend.

Workers say they're overworked and underpaid. They're asking for a cost-of-living increase and a $5000 bonus.

According to a city job posting, the salary for a maintenance technician is currently from about $40,000 to $61,000.

Workers spoke to WRAL News, emphasizing the risks they took during the pandemic, never missing a day, regardless of how high COVID numbers spiked.

Many say they work second jobs to make ends meet – and some still can't afford to live in Durham.

"Not putting us in the same category as police and first responders, we came together and did a job that most people won't do in a circumstance such as COVID or any other instance or type of situation," said Antonio Smith, a Solid Waste Department maintenance tech.

Union representatives say wages have gone up 15% since 2019, but they say the cost of living in the area has gone up even more – and the pay isn't keeping pace.

They're asking the city to pay workers for all work outside their job title, and hire all temporary workers to be permanent.

This group rallied at Tuesday's Durham City Council meeting and returned again for Thursday's session.

It was tense inside City Hall. After more than an hour of discussion, the mayor and city manager essentially agreed to discuss a motion on paying bonuses for these workers in a separate meeting.

The employees say until this is resolved - they won't be going to work.

Mayor Elaine O'Neal was emotional after listening to the workers, saying this strike could have been avoided by including raises in the budget vote in June.

"This is about the first time that I'm really wanting to cry, because I'm not a crier," she said. "But I have been in pain watching a lot of this stuff."

Durham is currently working on a compensation and pay study, but some of the employees say the relief needs to be more immediate.

Until then - the trash will continue to pile up in Durham.