The Virgin Islands’ worsening fiscal situation is again affecting one of the most basic government services on St. Croix, trash removal.
On Monday, four contractors who remove garbage from public housing communities and government offices said they would go on strike beginning Tuesday if the $2 million they are owed by the government from as far back as 1995 isn’t paid.
After discussions with Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II on Monday, representatives of Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, Fergutrax Heavy Equipment, Dan’s Trucking and G&T Trucking rejected a $503,000 payment — approximately two months' debt.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Michael Burton, James’s press officer, said no further progress had been made. Another meeting will be held next Monday.
Other than receiving what is owed them, the haulers have not said when they will end their strike.
This is the haulers’ latest protest against nonpayment. In May, the same companies stopped collecting trash for the same reason. They returned to work after the government paid a portion of its debt.