"Chicago Inspector General Targets Garbage Crew Loafers", (Chicago Tribune, October 8, 2008)
Between May and September, investigators for Inspector General David Hoffman spied on 77 garbage truck drivers and 145 laborers in 10 wards. They reported what they called "systemic, pervasive" waste and fraud.
"The investigators found a remarkably consistent pattern throughout all the wards," the report said. "Although the crews were well paid to work 8 full hours a day, on average they only worked less than six hours a day."
Assuming the same work habits by employees throughout the city, the report calculates that loafing on city garbage crews costs $14.3 million a year in lost wages. Add in worker benefits and equipment, and the loss grows to more than $20 million.
