High Absenteeism Among Guam Solid Waste Authority Workers Disrupts Trash Collection

The Guam Solid Waste Authority (GSWA) is struggling to overcome a significant absenteeism issue among its sanitation workers and drivers, leading to widespread delays in trash and recyclables collection. On a typical day, up to 20% of the 35-member workforce fails to show up for work, exacerbating operational challenges.

The no-show rate has surged from 12% last year to between 15% and 20% in May, with a peak of 12 workers absent on May 10. Transportation problems, illness, and unexplained absences are the main reasons cited for these no-shows.

The impact of this absenteeism is significant, with hundreds of customers experiencing delays in trash collection. The Harmon Transfer Station and Household Hazardous Waste Facility have been closed every Monday to redirect three truck drivers to trash duty, further straining resources.

GSWA General Manager Irv Slike noted, "For whatever reason, it's increased to an average of between 15% and 20% of workers, or five to seven people, not showing up." The authority plans to hire three to five new full-time employees soon to mitigate the impact of these regular absences.

Why this matters: The reliability of waste management services has a direct impact on public health and environmental sustainability. If left unaddressed, the high absenteeism rate among sanitation workers could lead to increased pollution, health risks, and decreased quality of life for the residents of Guam.

The GSWA board is deeply concerned about the high no-show rate and its implications for trash collection services. Despite collecting upwards of 99% of customer trash on time through the first four months of the year, the missed collection rate in Guam remains higher than in comparable US towns.

The authority is regrouping following Governor Lou Leon Guerrero's veto of a bill that would mandate household trash collection services. The governor cited concerns about affordability for low-income households in her decision. GSWA plans to meet with the governor to discuss the next steps.

The current trash rate is $30 a month, with plans to increase it to $35 if island-wide trash service is not implemented. Approximately 11,000 customers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would qualify for a reduced trash rate of $15 if the mandatory plan moves forward.

GSWA board member Jim Oehlerking expressed determination to address the absenteeism issue, stating, "We'll find some way to get a worker to show up." The board's efforts to hire new employees and discuss solutions with the governor reflect their commitment to improving service reliability.

As GSWA tackles these challenges, the focus remains on ensuring timely trash collection for the residents of Guam. The authority's proactive measures, including hiring new staff and engaging with government officials, aim to stabilize operations and meet customer expectations.

Key Takeaways

• Guam Solid Waste Authority faces 15-20% absenteeism rate among sanitation workers.
• Absenteeism causes delays in trash and recyclables collection, affecting hundreds of customers.
• Main reasons for no-shows: transportation issues, illness, and unexplained absences.
• GSWA plans to hire 3-5 new employees to mitigate the impact of absences.
• High absenteeism rate threatens public health and environmental sustainability.