It was a company picnic they'll never forget. On June 14, Arie de Jong handed out $1 million in bonuses to his company's 170 employees thanking them for their dedication during the twenty years he owned the business.

Everyone at the San Diego-based Coast Waste Management Inc., even those earning as little as $5.50 an hour, received between $3,000 and $15,000.

"I've done well," de Jong said, "and I'm very grateful."

Arturo Anguiano, an employee for more than 15 years, was given $11,000.

"I called my wife because I couldn't believe, and she thought it was a joke," he said.

Anguiano, 36, is a supervisor earning $18.50 an hour.

Coast Waste was acquired on May 30 by Texas-based USA Waste Services Inc. De Jong said he would remain on board as a consultant and a major stockholder.

(Source: Washington Post; June 15, 1997)