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Residents, council press Waste Connections on missed pickups and staffing; company says driver shortages to blame
Summary
Waste Connections representatives told DeRidder council they are operating short six drivers and have added automated trucks; council members and residents described missed pickups and brush left at curbs, urging better communication while the company runs a hiring event.
Waste Connections representatives told the DeRidder City Council on June 23 that the company has been operating short-staffed and is trying to catch up on missed residential trash and limb-debris pickups.
"We are short approximately six drivers right now," Timothy Deonshire, a company representative, said, adding that the firm has introduced an automated side-load truck to improve efficiency and is holding hiring events to increase staffing. "We're doing the very best we can," he said, noting a recruiter is involved and new hires are starting soon.
Council members and at least one resident described repeated missed pickups, brush and limb piles left at curbs, and a lack of proactive communication from the contractor. A speaker who reported following trucks and documenting missed service told the council they had repeatedly sent pictures and received no timely responses.
Council members stressed that communication matters as much as collection. "We want to do business with you, but we expect good service," a council member said, urging the company to notify city officials and residents when routes are disrupted so alternative arrangements can be made.
Waste Connections acknowledged operational limits caused by recent departures and weather and said it has been adding temporary coverage and a boom truck on affected routes. The company said it will continue hiring and expects at least one new driver to start on Monday, June 30.
City staff and elected officials also said they have been coordinating with RC Paving and DPW crews to clear debris and that Derek Lambert and contractor crews have already hauled roughly 500 yards and made about 25 trips to remove accumulated brush.
The council did not take formal action on the issue at the meeting but requested better contractor-to-city communication and documentation of complaints so the administration can follow up with the vendor and constituents.
