Amsterdam: Trash city - the return

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article stating my opinions about the trash men doing a strike. The strike has been happening for exactly a week now and it's time to look back (and forward).

So when I wrote my first article about the strike I was somewhat sympathetic for the men (and women) who are fighting for their rights. Now however I am not so sympathetic.

The reason does not lie in the most obvious reason: the huge amount of garbage that has been polluting the city for a week now. (Of course I am not happy about the garbage piles at all. It makes the city stink and it is already scaring the tourists away.) No, the reason for me not being sympathetic anymore lies in a whole other area.

At first I didn't quite know what the men were striking for. I just figured it was a good reason and I always believe in standing up for your rights. When I found out that they currently make about 1500-1700 euro's a month after taxes I was dumbstruck. They want another 2,75% on top of a salary that is already more than I make. I really don't mean to be disrespectful, but these guys make more money than I do in a job where no education is required. I went to school for 4 years to get a college degree and I am quite happy with what I earn. So why the hell do these men think they should get more money on top of an already quite sizable salary. It truly baffles me!

And in the meanwhile, while they are being greedy, we are stuck with garbage piles that are getting bigger and bigger. Rats are running around the city like back in medieval times. It is just disgusting. And you know what surprised me the most? I was watching the news yesterday about the strike. It reported about some businesses in the centre of town that decided to clean up their own garbage and got fined (!) because it is against the law to obstruct a strike. What?!?! I mean... seriously... WHAT?!?!

In the meanwhile we have made our own private garbage pile on our balcony, because unlike some people we followed the rules and kept our garbage at home. The news is now reporting of the unions getting close to a solution. If that doesn't happen, starting from monday, most garbage disposal points in the city should open so that individuals can bring their own trash there for processing. Luckily I got my parents car for the week so I definitely know what I'm doing on monday!