They do that here (UK) too. It's still the local govt that's paying the bill though. I guess that's why we have seemingly high municipal taxes, they're 'all inclusive.'

It's funny, the waste management people in our town are still unionised out the wazoo, and they're in deep with the labor party so they keep going on strike to put pressure on the incumbent greens. It's really not a good advertisement for the labor movement.