For Thursday I’d like you to read Robin Nagle’s account of part of her training to be a sanitation worker for the New York City Sanitation Department. (You’ll need to click through at the bottom of each page; she wrote one entry a day for five days.)
The New York Times ran a short profile of Dr. Nagle last year that mentions her recent efforts toward establishing a museum for the history of sanitation in New York City.
If you haven’t already, take a look at Garbage Glut, the survey/choose-your-own-adventure game about trash, recycling, and sanitation in New York. As we discussed in class, it’s not the very best game in the world, but it’s a pretty good overview of facts related to trashflow in the city.
It was so funny when I read the sentence “It’s plainly more important than sex”. Yes, it is. Just like last night, one of my roommates moved to another apartment, I just cannot believe how many garbage he left, they were all in front of our house. Luckily, the next day was the day that the city employees came to collect the garbage. This problem just solved so easily. In the area where I live, the sanitation workers collect garbage twice a week, they really helps and keep my house clean, we definitely need them, we just do not realize it sometime. Their work deserve more than what they got now. If we can, just do something for them.
Like with many of the articles we read this one was eye opening. I never knew sanitation workers had to go through so much just to become one. And if they’re lucky enough to become one, they work extremely hard and get no respect. It makes me wonder why anyone would want to become one. Sure its a paycheck, job security, benefits, and pension after 20 years (assuming you’re not seriously injured or killed) but it seems so unrewarding.
I guess it’s a dirty job and somebody’s has to do it. And they do it well.
Ever since growing up, I have always been told and given the impression that sanitation workers made a decent salary. I have never looked down upon them and I actually have always been appreciative of the services they provide for society.
After reading Robin Nagle’s account of her training to become a sanitation worker however, I realize how tough it is to become a “garbage man”. The written exam, physical exam and then intense training [both with vehicles and with job descriptions and tasks] they go through must be overwhelming. These individuals must not only have the mental and physical capabilities but they must have the patience, endurance and heart for the job in order to succeed.
it is amazing how many things i realized i took for granted just from reading the various articles this semester, from how my food is prepared, to my own cell phone, and even what happens to my garbage. i couldnt beleieve what it takes in order to become a sanitation employee. It might be easier to get a degree. I have truly never put thought into the waiting list, the trainging, how hard it could be to actually drive a truck. When the author talks about driving the truck and how people treat her on the road i think next time i cut off a sanitation truck because i dont want to get stuck behind, i am going to think twice. I think the sanitation should select more women then 4 out of 125 as long as they are qualified, to take part in the training to become an employee.
This was a really good reading for me, the fact that it was written in journal entries allows me to actually know what specific things people said and exactly how Robin Nagle felt. I actually had no idea of the intense training and testing it takes to become a sanitation worker. I guess no matter what career path you take one can never truly escape class. Dr. Nagle did bring a higher sense of appreciation for sanitation workers in me, however I did feel it before, but I am now more informed about all they have to go through. I thought their biggest obstacle was the garbage itself, but after reading the article I know now that there is much more to go through. I am glad I’m more informed on the DSNY and I do hope people have less of a prejudice towards sanitation workers after reading the jornal of Dr. Nagle
I found Robin Nagle’s article to be very insightful and at the same time amusingI It was funny how she wrote that garbage has a signature smell and that wherever in the world you are, whether it’s Paris, London or New York – the stink is the same. Further she wrote that sanitation workers swear that you get used to the stink, and that by the end of her on-the-job training it turned out to be true for her also. I doubt BIG TIME that I would ever get used to it or not mind it! Whenever I go through places where stinky garbage is placed I have to literally stop breathing for a minute!!!
Sanition worker are definately being taken for granted. You never think about where your trash is going and what a huge problem it would be if suddenly sanitation workers went on a strike! The City and the smell would probably be unbearable. No wonder that they are being paid well! But I think it’s ridiculous that you have to go through so many tests to become one – what next? Why not demand a college degree while you’re at it? Or maybe a “Sanitation Academy” LOL. Ridiculous.
I am still amazed at the process they have to go through in order to get hired. Every time I see a sanitation worker I remember this article. Thanks for the insight. It is really wonderful to be able to know more than meets the eye especially when it comes to something we all over look so much on a daily basis.
To my surprise, i never knew sanitation workers need to accomplish so much just to become one. After becoming one, they are paid minimum and there social lives are completely not of those of any ordinary job. Sanitation workers face tuff working hours which are not in a linear format. They also face the tuff and miser working conditions. Aside from that their personal lives also face changes, for dating a sanitation worker is not a “ideal” companion.
this article reminded me about a situation in the past.
I remembering asking my brother’s friend what he wanted to be when he gets out of high school and he said “a garbage man”. I started laughing and looked at him. I then realized he was being serious.
He explained to me the perks of being a sanitation worker, how much help they need, and how much is needed of them. I was shocked and apologized for being so ignorant. I never knew the importance of a sanitation worker and how they benefit us everday.
Based on my understanding, I though that working in sanintaion is a easy job and has pretty good salary. But I am worng, now I realize that it is dangerous job and salaries start at $30,000 is low. Most importantly, they work very early. I am so pround of them.
I’m happy that we have a chance to discuss this type of topic. Most of us tend to overlook the significance and contribution of the workers who have given us our basic essential need, hygiene. I have learned to be more appreciative of their jobs.