>

Mhm! They deserve utmost respect
Depends on where you're from, the shift in mentality in my country was pretty fast once we saw the salary. >

What country? >

If you can get into a unionized position, it's one of the few jobs left with a retirement pension plan.  
To be honest, I have tremendous respect for them. They're out in shitty weather dealing with unknown waste hazards.  Sometimes they're at risk of being hit by vehicles.