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Rio rubbish collectors continue strike despite union deal Rio rubbish collectors continue strike despite union deal
(about 14 hours later)
Rubbish is still piling up in Rio de Janeiro as the Brazilian city's street cleaners continue a strike, despite an announced agreement with the union. Rubbish is still piling up in Rio de Janeiro's streets, as cleaners continue to strike despite their union agreeing a deal to end the action.
Hundreds of refuse workers protested at the mayor's office on Friday demanding better pay and working conditions.Hundreds of refuse workers protested at the mayor's office on Friday demanding better pay and working conditions.
Authorities said on Monday that they had reached an agreement with union leaders and expected normal collection to be resumed within days.Authorities said on Monday that they had reached an agreement with union leaders and expected normal collection to be resumed within days.
But many workers say the union is not representing their interests.But many workers say the union is not representing their interests.
The president of Rio's rubbish collecting company, Comlurb, has even appealed to the population to store rubbish at home whenever possible, the BBC's Julia Carneiro reports from Rio. The president of Rio's rubbish collecting company, Comlurb, has even appealed to people to store rubbish at home whenever possible, the BBC's Julia Carneiro reports from Rio.
Friday's protests stopped the traffic in central Rio, despite threats from the authorities to fire those who did not show up to work. Friday's protests stopped traffic in central Rio, despite threats from authorities to sack collectors who did not show up to work.
'Treated like rubbish''Treated like rubbish'
On Monday, municipal authorities said they had sealed a deal with leaders of the 15,000 rubbish collectors after offering a salary raise of 9%. On Monday, municipal authorities said they had sealed a deal with leaders of the 15,000 rubbish collectors after offering a salary increase of 9%.
But a group of street cleaners – whose starting monthly salary is 803 reais ($342; £205) – is demanding a pay of 1,200 reais ($510; £306) and other benefits. But a group of street cleaners – whose starting monthly salary is 803 reais ($342; £205) – is demanding a sum of 1,200 reais ($510; £306) and other benefits.
They say they are being "being treated like rubbish" and threaten to cause further disruptions during the football World Cup, due to start on 12 June. They say they are being "being treated like rubbish" and threaten to cause further disruptions during the football World Cup finals, due to start on 12 June.
"The mayor wants to hold the World Cup, bin men want to go shopping," read some of their banners on Friday."The mayor wants to hold the World Cup, bin men want to go shopping," read some of their banners on Friday.
The strikers say more than half of the workforce are still with them and vowed to stage fresh demonstrations over the weekend. The strikers say that more than half of collectors are continuing the industrial action and vowed to stage fresh demonstrations over the weekend.
But the street cleaners' union says the strikers are a minority. The street cleaners' union says the strikers are a minority.
In some parts of the city, groups of rubbish collectors have started to clean up the rubbish left by this year's carnival festivities, which ended on Wednesday. In some parts of the city, groups of rubbish collectors have started to clean up the rubbish left by this year's Carnival festivities, which ended on Wednesday.
Security officers have been deployed to protect the workers from their striking colleagues, authorities say. Security officers have been deployed to protect the workers from striking colleagues, authorities say.
Tonnes of rubbish left after many street parties and by samba schools and beach goers were left piling up in the city for days. Tonnes of rubbish left after parties remain on the streets.
The BBC's Julia Carneiro says the local culture of littering the streets makes matters worse. Our correspondent says the local culture of littering makes matters worse.
Even Rio's mayor, Eduardo Paes, was caught on video allegedly throwing rubbish on the street. Even Rio's mayor, Eduardo Paes, was caught on video throwing rubbish.
Mr Paes said he did not remember the event, but nevertheless asked the authorities to fine him to serve as an example. Mr Paes said he did not remember the event, but asked the authorities to fine him to serve as an example.
Last year, his government announced a "zero tolerance" policy towards street littering.Last year, his government announced a "zero tolerance" policy towards street littering.