With most people cloistered at home attempting to stay safe, the garbage outside is accumulating quickly, much faster than it does in non-pandemic everyday life.
So, without frontline workers willing to drive by and pick it up, the lockdown would be much more dangerous, and likely, incur a tad more of a smell.
Not to worry, however, as the 28,000 frontline workers for Republic Services have been on the frontline for the entire crisis, including those at the street level gathering and picking up the garbage throughout the region.
Residents are showing their gratitude by placing signs on their garbage cans, sometimes showering drivers with gifts and well wishes. Drivers have even been recognized by State Sen. Tom Umberg, according to Manuel “Manny” Gouveia, Municipal Relationship Manager with Republic Services.
Not only that, Gouveia said the company has launched a “Committed to Serve” campaign, rewarding employees by supporting other small businesses in the community.
“Small businesses are often hit the hardest during times of uncertainty, he said.
According to Gouveia, the ‘Committed to Serve’ initiative is a gesture of support for both “our employees and our local small businesses,” whom he said “are also our customers.”
“The reaction from small business owners and employees has been pure appreciation,” said Gouveia. Additionally, he said employees feel a sense of pride being able to give back to the local communities we are committed to serve.
Umberg said in a Facebook post this week that “our battle against the virus is being waged on a number of fronts.” “One of those,” he said, “is making sure our government services continue to run smoothly for people.” He thanked Republic and their employees for “helping to keep our neighborhoods clean.”
Umberg said “I am proud to name Francisco Chavez as an “Everyday Hero. Chavez, a Senior Residential Driver for Republic Services, has driven a collection truck for two decades.
“Francisco and his team prove every day that he comes into work that he is an everyday hero,” said Umberg. In fact, Umberg said all of the local Los Al and Seal Beach drivers, Jose Sandoval, Jesus Ramirez, Adolfo Aoevedo and Javier Mendoza deserve recognition.
“I thank the entire Republic Services family for doing their part in this difficult time for our communities,” he added. Gouveia said Umberg even called Chavez personally and “that meant so much to him and to Republic Services.”
Gouveia said Republic’s “Committed to Serve” initiative includes meals being purchased from local, small businesses in Los Alamitos and Seal Beach in an effort to recognize frontline employees, their families, and small business customers locally and across the country.
Over the next two months, all of Republic Services’ 28,000 frontline employees will receive a weekly meal, a weekly dinner for employees and their families, and bi-weekly $100 gift cards ($400 per employee) to be spent locally at restaurants, pharmacies, grocery stores and retail outlets – keeping dollars in our communities, said Gouveia.
All meals are being be purchased from local, small businesses to help support Republic Services’ customers and the communities served by the company.
In the greater Los Alamitos/Seal Beach area, Republic Services is providing meals to almost 400 employees per week at both of their nearby hauling divisions located in Long Beach and Huntington Beach.