Saint John suspends compost and recycling pickup 'until further notice' due to strike

Saint John has suspended the household collection of compost and recycling "until further notice," citing the ongoing strike by inside workers.

The city has also released details about the salaries, vacation, sick pay and other benefits of the roughly 140 clerical, administrative and support staff — members of CUPE Local 486 — who have been on strike since last Tuesday over wages.

On Monday, the city issued a reminder that it's "experiencing delays in providing curbside garbage, compost and recycling collection due to the strike activities of CUPE Local 486 inside workforce.

"For this reason, the city is prioritizing the collection of household garbage at this time," it said.

The city will provide updates on its website and social media accounts, it added.

Asked to clarify why the strike by inside workers is affecting these outside services, city spokesperson Lisa Caissie told CBC that Local 486 members have been blocking city trucks along Fairville Boulevard and at the sanitation landfill.

"They've also been following city trucks to set up picket lines when they stop "on city streets and provincial roadways, she alleged in an emailed statement.

Brittany Doyle, president of Local 486, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Last week, pickets at several garbage depots saw garbage pickup for east Saint John residents delayed by 20 hours, while compost collection was even later.

Members of other unions, including garbage collection workers, have the right to not cross picket lines, Doyle has said.

In a separate news release Monday, the city argued the inside workers are compensated "fairly and competitively."

The average regular salary for the workers, who perform desk duties such as answering customer service lines and processing permits, as well 911 dispatching, was approximately $65,000 last year, with the highest paid employee earning over $137,000, including overtime, it said.

Among the highest paid CUPE Local 486 inside workers are those in positions such as public safety communications centre (PSCC) supervisor, technologists, and network specialist.

As a responsible public service, it's important to look at the full package of wages and benefits when determining how much the taxpayers of Saint John can afford, Mayor Donna Reardon said in a statement.