CRISIS COMMUNICATION DURING A GARBAGE STRIKE

摘要

The 2004 garbage haulers strike in northeastern Illinois was never officially declared a public health crisis, but it significantly inconvenienced millions of people. The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, IL (SWALCO) became the main communication conduit in this area since none of the solid waste management companies were disseminating information, and the spokesman for the union only made very brief statements to the press. As the bags of garbage and recyclables piled up, SWALCO coordinated with other agencies on issuing daily press releases and website updates to keep local officials, businesses and residents informed. SWALCO did not have a crisis communication plan to follow, but several lessons were learned that will direct the agency as it formulates its first plan.