We’re more than a week into Toronto’s garbage strike and I’m officially annoyed with everyone involved.

I can’t feel sorry for the city. This situation didn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s not like Mayor Miller has blazed a trail of belt-tightening or fiscal responsibility.

I have zero sympathy for the union’s position either. Though I understand people’s reluctance to give up benefits and perks that they’ve previously enjoyed, the fact remains that we’re in a recession and sacrifices must be made. The company I work at has made cutbacks. We’ve had two rounds of layoffs, lost our company’s contribution to employee RSPs, and every employee is required to take one week of unpaid leave. Plus, I’ve only ever had four sick days per year, and it’s “use them or lose them.” I don’t want to hear one more word about the city wanting their “pound of flesh.” Fact is, it has to come from somewhere, and Torontonians have already lost enough.

Speaking of Torontonians, I’m pretty disappointed in some of them as well. If tossing your garbage in the park, on side streets, or on the Allen Expressway, or beside taped-up garbage cans is some sort of statement, think it through. We all have to live in the squalor you’re creating. And to those who have almost come to blows over temporary garbage drop-off sites, suck it up. If you look around, you’ll discover that there are more important battles to fight.