ATOKA, TN -
(WMC-TV) - A sanitation strike is causing trash to pile up in neighborhoods throughout the Mid-South.
ATOKA
In the Templeton Farms subdivision in Atoka, trash is piled up on top of some garbage cans.
"There have been some delays in collection," said Atoka Town Administrator Brian Koral. "They've got management and replacement crews working. Trucks are here in Atoka collecting trash."
Koral first learned of the strike at Republic Services Monday morning. It is only the company's fourth week on the job in the small town of Atoka.
"We have some folks calling where their normal collection is maybe first thing in the morning but they haven't seen it yet," he explained.
Overnight, company officials picketed in Memphis in an effort to negotiate benefits.
Meanwhile, trash pickup in many areas may be delayed until the issue is settled.
In addition to affecting customers in Atoka and Covington, the trash strike is also affecting about 250,000 customers in Shelby County and DeSoto County.
LAKELAND
In Lakeland, additional employees are being brought in to collect waste and recycling. Trash collection will resume in Lakeland on Wednesday. If you normally get your trash picked up on Monday, it will be picked up Wednesday. If your trash is usually picked up Tuesday, it will be picked up Thursday, and so on.
"There will be some delays, but service will be provided," the Republic Services said in a written statement. "We are committed to taking care of our customers and our employees."
GERMANTOWN
In Germantown, residents are asked to place household trash, recyclables and yard debris at the curb on their regular collection day and leave it there until it is collected.
Like Lakeland, Republic plans to begin collection in Germantown on Wednesday, starting with those homes scheduled for Monday pick-up. The contractor will work through the weekend until everything is collected.
Note to city officials: If you have an announcement regarding trash collection in your town, please e-mail it to us at desk@wmctv.com.
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