#Datel trash talker drivers#
#Datel trash talker driver#

In New York City overall, private sanitation trucks killed seven people in 2017. By contrast, city municipal sanitation trucks haven’t caused a fatality since 2014. But since 2008, the company’s trucks have killed five pedestrians or cyclists. And unlike some other companies, Action provides high-visibility gear and conducts safety meetings. A union shop, it offers starting pay of about $16 per hour for helpers and $23 for drivers, far more than many other companies. In the universe of New York’s garbage industry, Action is considered a company that takes the high road.

#Datel trash talker driver#

As to the questions of overwork and driver fatigue, Bergamini responded, “That’s a struggle that the whole industry has - of getting people to work less.” But you cannot turn around and say, ‘Hey just take your time, go as long as you want.’” He pointed out that workers can anonymously report concerns to a safety hotline. But you have to find the balance between efficiency and safety, and that’s a struggle we work on every day. “They shouldn’t be, and they’d be fired if they ever told people to run red lights or speed. “In the history of the company I am sure there have been times where supervisors have inappropriately rushed people,” said Action Carting CEO Ron Bergamini. (All Action employees asked for anonymity for fear of retaliation.) “But you aren’t doing anything about it.” “You’re showing us videos of guys being fatigued, guys falling asleep,” a driver told me.

#Datel trash talker drivers#

The company holds monthly safety meetings and plays videos, taken by cameras installed inside the trucks, of Action drivers falling asleep at the wheel. Working 10- to 14-hour days, six days per week, means that no one is ever anything close to rested.

Working 10- to 14-hour days, six days per week, means that no one is ever anything close to rested. “This route should take you 12 hours,” the boss often told them. The workers were racing to pick up as much garbage as possible before dawn arrived and the streets filled with slow traffic. The Action truck began driving on the wrong side of the road in preparation for the next stop. Just a few miles away the week before, another man had died in the middle of the night beneath the wheels of another company’s garbage truck. Going 20 miles per hour above the city’s 25 mph limit, the Action truck ran another red light with a worker, called a “helper,” hanging off the back.

“Where are you on the route? Hurry up, it shouldn’t take this long.” Theirs was one of 133 garbage trucks owned by Action Carting, the largest waste company in New York City, which picks up the garbage and recycling from 16,700 businesses. Before long, they would start getting calls from their boss. The two workers aboard were running late. on a recent November night, a garbage truck with a New York Yankees decal on the side sped through a red light on an empty street in the Bronx. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time. By subscribing, you agree to share your email address with us and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from us.