Monday morning at the stroke of midnight 200 Republic Service workers hit the pavement in front of their South Memphis office to strike.

Cornelius Finley, from Republic said, "When you clean up the earth and you do what you supposed to do people supposed to take care of you so you can take care of your family. I mean it's an insult to us I mean we go to work put our hand of garbage needles blood."

Armed with powerful voices and I am a man signs. The bottom line, these sanitation workers are striking about money.

"These men are contractually guaranteed a safety bonus the company now, this is the 3rd week these guys have gone without their safety bonus," said Matt Brown, Teamsters.

But in addition to safety bonuses, pensions and benefits are also at the heart of the pacing strike.

Shaka Khalphani, from Republic said, "Workers are simply tired of being exploited and taken advantage of by these big corporations."

So what's at stake for customers?  According to workers, no service for more than 250,000 people expecting trash pickup.  Trucks complete stopped.

FOX13 News has obtained a statement from Republic Allied which reads in part:  "First and foremost, we want to assure our customers their waste and recycling will be picked up. There will be some delays, but service will be provided. We are in the process of notifying the municipalities we serve.

We have a plan in place that is now being put into action.  Many of our managers are out on routes, while additional Republic personnel are being brought in."

But workers say they don't plan to stop picketing until they have answers and resolution.

Cornelius Finley, from Republic says, "I mean some things got to give and were gonna be here till it happens."