I asked my collectors once what their pay was. They told me $22. per hour plus time and a half for over time, that was a couple of years ago and they are not union.
I always tip the two of them around Christmas time. If a raccoon gets in my garbage, they pick it up off the street for me, that’s not part of their job. That alone is worth the tip.
They actually like their job, and like doing a good job at it.
Everybody puts their trashcans higglety-piggelty up and down the street. But when the guys some pick up our trash... the cans are left aligned in a military kind of straight line. Upside down, to drain.
They know I'll feel the truck coming by, and be out there to pick up my container. I do appreciate them.
/johnny