Now that the coronavirus vaccine mandate went into effect Monday for all city employees, some say sanitation workers are playing dirty to protest it.

Piles of trash can be seen corner to corner, with city sidewalks covered in garbage and a smell residents say you can't ignore along 31st Street and Surf Avenue in Coney Island. Neighbors say they are feeling the brunt of a slowdown.

According to Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Department of Sanitation has 17% of workers unvaccinated.

News 12 reached out to DSNY about the issue. The department issued a statement saying, "Sanitation services are continuing across the City. Staffing is in place, and we remain in a healthy position."

De Blasio has canceled all days off for sanitation workers and is requiring them to work Sunday shifts.
There is no word yet on how long this will last and when the trash pickup will speed up.