The Great Garbage Strike of When? A NYC Trash Odyssey
Ah, New York City. The city that never sleeps... except maybe for that one glorious week in 1968 when it apparently never took out the trash. That's right, folks, we're talking about the Great Garbage Strike of When? (Dramatic music intensifies)
You might be wondering, amidst the mental image of pigeons taking over Times Square and rats holding a jazz concert in Central Park, exactly what year did this fragrant fiasco take place? Well, put down that baguette you were nervously nibbling on and allow me to enlighten you.
Drumroll please...
The year was 1968! Yes, the same year we saw the rise of platform shoes, the fall of Richard Nixon's hairline (allegedly), and enough garbage on the streets of NYC to rival Mount Everest.
The Sanitation Worker's Lament: A Tale of Woe (and Trash)
Why, you ask, did these sanitation heroes decide to down tools and let the Big Apple become the Big Landfill? Well, like most strikes, it boiled down to a classic case of "No contract, no work!" The sanitation workers, feeling underpaid and underappreciated (can you blame them?), decided to take a stand.
The Strike That Launched a Thousand Rats (Probably Not)
For nine glorious, or perhaps not-so-glorious, days, the trash piled up. Newspapers described the city as a "vast slum," with "mounds of refuse" growing higher with each passing day. Imagine the stench! It must have been enough to make even a Broadway play take a nosedive in attendance.
The End is Nigh (or Smelly)
Thankfully, after what seemed like an eternity (but was actually only nine days), a deal was struck. The sanitation workers got their raise (and hopefully some industrial-strength air freshener), and the city slowly began to dig itself out of a literal mountain of garbage.
But wait, there's more!
Did you know that the Great Garbage Strike of 1968 wasn't the only time New York's sanitation workers went on strike? There have been a few other doozies over the years, but none quite as legendary (or smelly) as the one in '68.
## Frequently Asked Trash Questions (FAQ):
How to avoid a personal garbage strike at home?
- Take out the trash regularly! It's not rocket science, folks.
How to identify the early signs of a garbage strike in your neighborhood?
- Increased sightings of pigeons with suspiciously bulging cheeks.
- A sudden rise in the popularity of nose plugs.
- Your local news station starts referring to your street as "Trash Alley."
How to survive a garbage strike?
- Stock up on air freshener (and maybe some matches).
- Invest in a good pair of boots.
- Practice holding your breath for extended periods.
How to dispose of garbage responsibly during a strike?
- If it can wait, let it wait. Don't add to the mountain!
- If it can't wait, find a designated drop-off point (if available).
- Be a good neighbor and don't just dump your trash on the sidewalk (seriously, don't be that guy).
How to make sure your garbage doesn't revolt?
- Treat your trash can with respect. Keep it clean and well-maintained.
- Offer your garbage occasional compliments ("Wow, you're looking a little lighter today!").
- Maybe even play some soothing music for it (garbage can also appreciate the classics).
