Five Long Beach refuse operators are speaking publicly about what they describe as unsafe working conditions, heavy workloads and a shortage of operational collection trucks—problems they say are contributing to injuries and leaving some routes unfinished.
During an exclusive group interview with NBC4, all five workers raised their hands when asked whether they believe the department is understaffed. All five also raised their hands when asked whether they believe current working conditions are unsafe.
The city says all 114 of its budgeted refuse operator positions are filled. The workers, however, claim 23 operators are currently out because of job-related injuries.
The city did not confirm that number.
In a statement, the city said refuse operators may be absent for several reasons, including workplace or non-occupational injuries, family and medical leave, military leave, vacations and sick time.
The city previously acknowledged that the department recently experienced a “35 to 40 percent staffing shortage due to injuries, sickness and vacation.”
The workers also claim there are not enough operational collection trucks to cover the city’s trash and organics routes. The city did not say how many trucks are currently available or directly answer whether there is a shortage.
“The Collections Bureau has not received any reports of injuries related to a lack of equipment or vehicle availability,” the city said.
The city maintains that there is no citywide trash delay and says its “missed daily collection rate remains below the industry average standard of one percent.”
Workers describe injuries and pressure to continue working
Phillip Benton, who is currently off work because of an injury, said he hurt his shoulder while collecting a bulky item.
“When I got injured, the couch was weighing at least over 100 pounds,” Benton said. “And as I was pulling it, I heard a pop in my shoulder. But I still kept working.”
Kory Anderson told NBC4 that supervisors have instructed workers to continue their shifts after they reported being injured.
“Absolutely, yeah. It’s not even hidden,” Anderson said. “They’re gonna tell you to go back out.”
The city did not confirm or dispute Anderson’s specific account.
“Since we do not have details about the specific situation you are referencing, we can speak only to our general processes,” the city said in a follow-up response.
The city said supervisors are trained and expected to follow established safety protocols. It also encouraged employees with workplace safety concerns to report them through department leadership, their department’s administrative office or the City Safety Bureau.
In an earlier response, the city said supervisors assess an employee’s condition when an injury is reported and arrange medical care when needed.
“Employees are not permitted to return to work until they have been appropriately evaluated and cleared by qualified medical professionals to safely perform their assigned duties,” the city said.
Hector Quintana, who said he has worked for the department for 21 years, described the physical toll of the job.
“I got six screws in my neck. They fixed my knee. Now this knee’s buckling,” Quintana said. “My back hurts. My shoulder hurts. I got surgery on my shoulder. But I’m still here.”
When asked what he thought about the city’s position that there is no citywide delay, Quintana responded, “That’s a lie. We don’t got people to work.”
Unfinished routes can carry into the next day
The workers say staffing and equipment problems can cause one unfinished route to disrupt collections scheduled for the following day.
“Just today, I had to go and pick up a route that was left out from yesterday. And that happens regularly,” Anderson said. “So I had to go and pick up the organic route from Monday, and today’s Tuesday. So now my Tuesday route has been left out.”
Another operator, Anthony Holmes, described one instance in which he said a supervisor directed his crew to leave a route in the Sixth District and respond to complaints in Belmont Shore and Naples.
“I had supervisors tell me, ‘We need y’all to break from here and go to Belmont Shore and the Naples area to clean up that area,’” Holmes said.
Holmes said that when he questioned the instruction, a supervisor told him people in those neighborhoods were more likely to call the city.
The city said it “does not prioritize collection service based on a neighborhood’s likelihood of contacting the City or filing complaints.”
The city acknowledged that supervisors may redirect crews during the workday based on operational needs. It said those decisions may consider how long an area has been waiting, previously missed collections, operational efficiency and formally reported service requests.
“The number or anticipated likelihood of complaints from any neighborhood is not a factor in determining which routes receive priority,” the city said.
Workers voice concerns about retaliation
Holmes said more operators had planned to participate in the NBC4 interview but some decided not to appear because they were concerned about retaliation.
“We’re here because we’re tired. It’s an unsafe workplace,” Holmes said. “It was supposed to be more of us here today, like about 10, 12 of us. A lot of them didn’t come. They’re scared of retaliation.”
The city said it “does not take, nor does it intend to take, retaliatory action against any employee for raising workplace concerns or participating in protected activity.”
The city added that employees remain responsible for following workplace policies, safety requirements and performance expectations.
City pushes recovery estimate to mid-September
The city previously said trash collection service was expected to return to normal by the end of August.
It has now pushed that estimate back by approximately two weeks.
“We are looking to be back on track by mid-September,” the city said.
Interviews for supplemental refuse operator positions are scheduled for next week. The city said it hopes those additional workers, once hired and onboarded, will help ease the current workload.