Sanitation Department to Induct 800 New Workers Tomorrow to Serve New York City

By Yehudit Garmaise

     The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), tomorrow, will administer its Oath of Office to 800 new sanitation workers, who completed their training to begin their new careers serving the city.

     In what Mayor Bill de Blasio called “a major decision and major investment to bring more sanitation workers on the job,” the 800 new DSNY workers, who comprise the department's biggest graduating class since 2005, will bring the agency up to 9,500 workers: a team that the mayor said the city truly values and appreciates.

     “This is a big moment for the city, and this is a really amazing team, that has done great work and will do great work ahead, and I have gotten to see this work first-hand,” said the mayor, who added that "keeping our city clean" is the foundation of New York City's comeback after the pandemic.

     DSNY Commissioner Ed Grayson, who measured his time at the department in winters: this will be his 23rd- spoke passionately about his work at the department.

     “Every year, I think back with pride about my colleagues, then and now, who wake every single day to do everything they can to be dedicated public servants: having an impact on all New Yorkers’ lives as we do our jobs,” Commissioner Grayson said. “It is an honorable profession, and was the best thing to happen to me."

     Now is a great time to start with the department, said Grayson who spoke excitedly about new DSNY programs, such as Precision Cleaning Teams that address quality of life concerns, the expansion of the curbside collection of organics, and increased training for the snow season.

     “We have trained more than 5,000 members for snow service, and we have continued to do that, as we are preparing for winter, and it is an amazing time,” said Grayson, who also looked forward to the electrification of the DSNY’s fleet of vehicles, in the future.

     “We prepare and train to be what the public expects of us: to be their dedicated workforce, and I can honestly tell you that each member is proud of what we do,” Commissioner Grayson said. “We try hard, every single day, whether snow, hurricane, or rain, hot, or cold: we are always out there, doing all we can to keep New York City healthy, safe, and clean.

     Addressing the DSNY’s class of 800 on the mayor’s press call this morning, Grayson said, “A life of public service is usually looked at through the rear-view mirror.

     “You often don’t realize how much good you have done until you look back on it. 

     “I can assure you: you are starting the first steps of a career in which you will do amazing work.”

 Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office