Trash and recycling hauler J.P. Mascaro & Sons knows their local pickup has been problematic over the course of the pandemic.
The biggest complaint from residents has been delayed pickup.
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Bristol Borough Council President Ralph DiGuiseppi said during last week’s meeting that “there’s a lot of issues with trash” and delayed pickup.
The council president said residents have “every right to complain about what’s going on.”
A representative from J.P. Mascaro & Sons explained to council that the problem right now is a manpower issue.
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“There is a shortage of labor in the economy,” the representative said, adding there is a labor “crisis” in the the Philadelphia region.
The representative said the labor shortage isn’t as great in other parts of the state where it operates, but the impacts are certainly being felt in the Philadelphia area.
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“We are picking up the trash. We are picking up the recycling. We are picking up the yard waste,” the representative said, noting service might be a bit delayed.
Pat Mascaro Sr. wrote in a letter to local municipalities who contract with the company that the pandemic and some government COVID-19 assistance have been causing the problems.
“I can assure you that any service issues you may experience are not the result of our lack of effort or commitment, financial or otherwise,” he said.
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In Bucks County, Lower Southampton, Northampton, Upper Southampton, and Warminster townships also contract with J.P. Mascaro & Sons.
The Wall Street Journal reported this week that the tight labor market caused by numerous factors is impacting numerous industries. The article noted the return of economic activity as the pandemic eases is largely benefitting blue-collar workers who are seeing benefits normally reserved for white-collar jobs being offered and creating a labor shortage.
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J.P. Mascaro & Sons has stepped up efforts to hire by marketing its high-paying jobs more and opening recruiting offices in Montgomery County.
DiGuiseppi said Bristol Borough Manager Jim Dillion is in regular contact with J.P. Mascaro & Sons staff on collection. He stated he has seen crews working as late as 11:45 p.m. last Friday.
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The J.P. Mascaro & Sons representative who spoke before Bristol Borough Council last week said he expects delays to last through the summer.
Last November, the trash hauler and Bristol Borough agreed to a contract extension that would pay the Montgomery County company upfront but lock in a rate of $115 per property for years 2021, 2022, and 2023. The idea was the deal would lock in rates for the borough instead of price increases and provide an influx of cash for hiring efforts by J.P. Mascaro & Sons.
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In the early months of the pandemic, J.P. Mascaro & Sons was dealing with staffing issues due to COVID-19 and problems with increases in trash as many people stayed home and cleaned out their residences.
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