The City of Philadelphia Is Currently Buried Alive In Mountains of Trash After The Trash Collectors Have Been On Strike For An Entire Week
Mark Makela. Getty Images.People who don't know a damn think about Philadelphia often like to shit on Philly for being a trash. Usually they are talking about the people. Sure, maybe we can be scumbags at time. Sure, maybe the city has a certain scent to it at times that could be described as "unique" at best. But Philadelphia is the furthest thing from a trash city. It's a city that is filled with rich history, culture, an unbelievable food scene, and hard-working honest people.
However…over the last week, it has quite literally turned into a trash city.
The largest labor union in Philly went on strike a week ago. The labor union of over 9,000 workers which includes 911 operators, medical examiners, airport employees, and--most importantly--sanitation workers.
You know, the people who pick up the trash all week in a city of 1.5 million people.
It would be one thing if the sanitation workers went on strike in the beginning of March when it's still 40 degrees out. But it's been a blistering hot week in July. On top of that, it was a holiday weekend. It's been a week that has hosted major events like the "Welcome America" concert on the 4th of July, and a FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal game on Friday. Add up all those numbers and you're looking at a goddamn shit ton of trash. A shit ton of trash, and nobody to pick any of it up.
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And just so everybody knows what to look forward to here: The weather in Philly this week is supposed to be a mix of boiling hot days in the 90s, and rain. We're talking about a 2-week pile up of some disgusting, sopping wet hot trash. The rats and squirrels are going to be getting into everything. The city might legitimately drown in trash. I know everybody hates a scab, but it might be a good opportunity for any aspiring entrepreneurs out there.
If you thought the people of Philadelphia were a little ornery and on edge before, just wait and see what happens if this strike continues on for another week or more. The last time there was a strike like this in Philadelphia was back in 1986, and that lasted for 3 weeks. Something tells me that we've become a little more unhinged since '86. If this thing gets to 2 full weeks, we could be looking at Armageddon. The breaking point is probably in a few more days before shit really starts to go sideways. It was all fun and games for the first few days, but now it's getting to the point where you can't trust that Philadelphians are going to handle this in the most…civilized way possible.
All I'm saying is that Mayor Cherelle Parker might want to get a pulse check on the city right now. Just look at what is going down at Citizens Bank Park over the weekend. The frustration is already causing fans to snap on the Phillies. If they're willing to do this to our beloved baseball team, just think about what they'll do about a Mayor that nobody cares about anyway.
Sidenote: I do love the fact that the mountains of trash are being referred to as "Parker Piles". That's a fantastic touch.