While Córdoba was accumulating waste in the streets, Surrbac halted the service and then requested inspections against the concessionary companies. The Secretariat of Labor ordered inspections at Piedras Blancas and at the operational bases of Lusa, Lam, and Urbacor. The decision comes after a mandatory conciliation that didn't solve the service's problems.
The inspections aim to verify working, hygiene, and safety conditions, but no sanctions are being considered for the union that halted work. The union's demand comes after several days of serious failures in collection without taking responsibility. Meanwhile, residents continue to live with accumulated garbage throughout the city.
Between July 18 and 25, 1,360 containers were found unemptied due to collection failures in more than 4,300 affected blocks. The official survey reported 201 incidents, mainly due to incomplete routes and off-schedule runs. Fines for the companies can reach one million pesos (2,205 pounds) if they don't correct the errors.
Dump sites, inspections, and differences in neighborhoods
The central area concentrates the most significant problems because there, wet waste is collected three times and dry waste daily, which requires more regularity. In less dense areas in the north and south of the city, dry waste routes are weekly, which further complicates accumulation. In addition, there are inspections in peripheral neighborhoods and vehicles have been seized.
Córdoba toughened penalties for those who create illegal dump sites after reforming the Code of Coexistence at the beginning of this year. However, Surrbac's role during the crisis reignited criticism due to the lack of union responsibility. While they demand action from the companies, they avoided responding for the collapse they themselves initiated.
The union not only triggered the conflict but also left the city exposed to health risks, visual pollution, and the proliferation of disease vectors. Images of overflowing containers and dirty streets were repeated for days on social media and in local media. No one from the union was fined or investigated for the chaos caused.
