The Municipality blamed Surrbac for the lack of waste collection; the union replied with counter-accusations
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Streets filled with garbage, impassable sidewalks, and unbearable odors marked the start of the tourist weekend in Córdoba. The same scene is repeated in every neighborhood of the provincial capital. The city welcomed tourists with a decaying urban landscape.
Residents from different areas protested for days without receiving clear answers. Only on Friday did the Municipality summon the service providers. The goal was to contain public anger over the lack of service.
The Secretary of Environment, Gabriel Martín, acknowledged that 70% of the waste was not collected. The admission came after the meeting with the companies. He clarified that they "suppose" the conflict is due to labor demands that have not yet been formalized.
el 70% de los residuos no fue recolectado durante el fin de semana.
Municipality and union in a blame game
"The goal of the meeting was to bring some clarity," Martín stated in remarks to El Doce. The official reported that they submitted a letter requesting a discussion table with the union. However, there is no definite date for a resolution.
Surrbac, meanwhile, issued a statement in an ironic tone. It claimed that the service "is being provided normally," despite the obvious overflow of garbage. It denied the existence of strike actions, placing responsibility on the municipality.
The union reported that the companies do not have the tools to operate. They pointed to a multimillion-dollar debt owed by the municipal government to the service providers. "Sometimes the garbage is not on the streets," the statement ironically noted.
Calles repletas de basura, veredas intransitables y olores insoportables marcaron el inicio del finde turístico en Córdoba.
The people, hostages of neglect
The health and visual crisis had a direct impact on tourism activity during the last weekend of winter vacation. Business owners in central and gastronomic areas reported a drop in sales. They indicated that the bad odors and filth drove visitors away.
The local Tourism Board did not issue any official statements. On social media, posts from outraged visitors and residents about the state of the city multiplied. The viral images showed overflowing bins and open bags on public roads.
El secretario de Ambiente, Gabriel Martín, "supone" que el conflicto se debe a reclamos gremiales aún no formalizados.
Promises of normalization
Starting today, Monday the 21st, Secretary Gabriel Martín confirmed that the service is beginning to return to normal. He stated that the routes were completed on Sunday, but with delays. He attributed the delays to "union strike actions" and promised improvements during the day.
At 10 a.m., a meeting between the parties was called at the provincial Department of Labor. The intention was to solve the underlying conflict. There are still no details on how the debt reported by Surrbac will be settled.
The Municipality is trying to show control of the situation, although the damage is already done. Córdoba capital, once again, was buried under garbage and political infighting.
