Most of the time, they find nothing, and sanitation workers clear the field.
In the 1970's there were more than 10,000 sanitation workers.
The sanitation workers' raise is even higher than the teachers' 15 percent pay increase over a similar period.
He makes $10 an hour as a sanitation worker but needs more to support his wife and two children.
The sanitation workers' starting pay will be higher than the $25,100 rate for police officers.
The sanitation workers' position was made public during the second day of the strike, which began Sunday morning.
Under the contract, the most senior sanitation workers would be able to make about $53,400 a year beginning in 1999.
The city also will not hire 200 new sanitation workers who would have been added next month.
Whatever the cause, Chicago looks great these days - despite a sanitation workers' strike.
Sanitation workers could be asked to pick up more trash.