Solid-waste workers, union and council press for more trucks, pay and City enforcement

Houston — Dozens of Solid Waste employees, union representatives and council members used public comment at the July 8 Houston City Council meeting to press the administration for immediate fixes to widespread trash-collection problems they say have left routes broken, recycling behind and crews overworked.

Workers described daily truck failures, long waits at city transfer stations and slow repairs that often keep drivers from leaving their yards on time. “I arrive and I clock in at 05:53 every morning hoping there’s a truck,” said Jesus Gonzales, a union steward and Solid Waste driver, describing delays caused by vehicles waiting for parts and transfer-station backups. “I am lucky if I get to leave the yard by 06:30 to 7 a.m.”

The pleas drew responses from council members who repeatedly framed the problem as a mix of legacy underfunding, recent budget decisions and management challenges. Council member Delicia Martinez told workers the council will press for more resources, and said a permanent “trash fee” remains the likeliest long-term solution to fund vehicles, pay and operational…