If it is true that there was a deliberate job slowdown by sanitation workers, as reported in the New York Post during the recent devastating blizzard because they were angry about layoffs and budget cuts to their department, there needs to be a thorough investigation as to why this was permitted.
Certainly the workers have a right to be upset about layoffs and budget cuts — they have families to support and bills to pay. But we all have to pay bills and support families in this city. There is absolutely no valid or logical reason for the sanitation workers to deliberately slow down the plowing of streets and roadways.
There were so many streets that were not plowed right after the storm all over the area and this caused serious problems for the FDNY, the NYPD, emergency services and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority with hundreds of buses and other vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks, trapped in the snow.
Yes, this was a powerful storm with blinding, blowing snow falling at the rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour and accompanied by 50 to 60 mph winds, thunder and lightning. Certainly it made plowing by the city Sanitation Department difficult.
But you cannot take out your frustrations on the mayor through not doing the job of plowing the streets and roadways, which is your responsibility. If this was the case, then it is an absolute disgrace.
Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty needs to conduct an internal investigation as to why this occurred. What will happen when the next storm comes along? After all, it was only the end of December and we have January, February and March to get through.
John Amato
Fresh Meadows
