Piles of garbage have lain uncollected in certain parts of the Island while trash collectors staged a mini-revolt over having to collect rubbish which contained animal and human faeces.

The Royal Gazette took to the streets of Hamilton yesterday to find out how the general public feel about the issue, which was last night understood to have been resolved.

People were asked: "Do you think that it is wrong that garbage men should pick up trash with faeces in it, or are they just avoiding doing their jobs?''.

The majority of the people approached during the informal poll threw their support behind the garbage collectors.

Student Sandy Pacheco said: "No one else would want to pick it up so why should trash collectors?'' The idea of having to pick up another's waste, even if it was in a bag was deemed unacceptable by Postal Clerk Bettyann Pierre.

She said: "Putting human waste into the trash is disgusting and totally out of order.'' And MarketPlace cashier Brenda Parsons pointed to the health risks raw faeces would pose to sanitation workers.

"Trash bags are not safe now and the garbage men will catch germs,'' she said.

However, banker Alvin Daniels said the garbage collectors could have handled the situation better than by striking.

Mr. Daniels noted: "I agree with them that people should not do that because of the health risk, but I think they should have brought it to somebody's attention before having an election.'' And insurance underwriter Gail Martin questioned how there was proof that faeces was being put in the garbage.

"I think there may be extremes on both ends,'' she said.

"If it happened, it probably happened once or twice. I can't imagine faeces being found in the trash all the time. In fact, I can't imagine it happening at all.'' But community activist Charles Spanswick took a different approach.

He said: "I believe they should pick it up regardless because that is what they are paid to do and they get good money.'' However he added: "Perhaps the Government should enforce the use of stronger trash bags though.'' Brenda Parsons Alvin Daniels Sandy Pacheco