It’s been more then a week and sanitation workers who collect trash and recycling in parts of Anne Arundel county remain on strike.

Employees of Ecology Services, contracted by the Department of Public Works for curbside trash pickup, went on strike Sept. 3 after contract negotiations fell through, alleging “unsafe working conditions, serious accidents and disrespectful negotiations.”

The drivers and workers, represented by Teamsters Local 570, said many vehicles don’t have air conditioning, proper seating and seatbelts. They also said a coworker recently suffered a head injury after falling from a truck due to heat exhaustion. Furthermore, the company has only offered a 38-cent wage increase.

“This strike is a direct consequence of Ecology Curbside Services’ greed and blatant disregard for worker safety,” Sean Cedenio, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 570, said in a statement.

“We have the right to come to work without fearing for our safety or wondering if we’ll make it home to our families at the end of the day,” Herman Young, a driver at Ecology Curbside Services and a Local 570 shop steward, said in a statement. “This strike is our last resort. None of us want to be out here, but the company has left us no choice. We refuse to continue working under these hazardous conditions.”

In early August, Ronald Silver II, a crew member of DPW Baltimore, had a medical emergency while riding in the work truck that required urgent attention, according to a joint statement from Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and acting Public Works Director Khalil Zaied.

His death caused his family to demand answers from the city regarding employees’ working conditions.

The county has been working to minimize pickup disruptions since the strike started. Gunther Refuse Service, MBG Refuse Service and Goode Companies are working in the service areas affected by the labor dispute.

The affected areas are Severna Park, Pasadena, Laurel and Odenton areas, according to Department of Public Works public information officer Matt Diehl.

Residents can see if they live in one of these service areas by entering their address in the Find My Collection Day website page.

Ecology Services and Teamsters Local 570 did not respond for comment.

WJZ News, a media partner of The Baltimore Banner, contributed to this report.