While I was a student at University of the Arts in 1986, the city of Philadelphia endured one of the worst strikes in it’s history. Municipal workers walked off the job July 10, 1986 and came back 20 days later. During a 20 day strike, about 20,000 tons of trash piled up across the city. It made for one smelly mess. I decided to photograph the scene at Veterans Stadium, which was home to the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles. I had never seen anything like it. Or as stinky. #tbt #throwbackthursday

A man unloads trash into piles next to Veteran’s Stadium in August 1986 during a municipal worker strike in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. During the 20 day strike, that started July 10, 1986, about 20,000 tons of trash piled up across the city. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)

Trash piles up next to Veteran’s Stadium in August 1986 during a municipal worker strike in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. During the 20 day strike, that started July 10, 1986, about 20,000 tons of trash piled up across the city. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)