Sanitation workers in Massachusetts are doubling down on their strike as trash troubles continue to get worse for many cities and towns as the strike remains ongoing more than a month after Teamsters Local 25 workers first walked off the job.
The vast majority of Republic Services employees voted to stay on strike Sunday, entering five weeks of failed negotiations between the union and the Fortune 500 company. The Revere City Council unanimously approved a letter earlier this week calling on the CEO to settle.
Union President Tom Mari claims that Republic Services has refused to meet with the union for more than 15 days and is disrespecting union members by refusing to raise wages and benefits up to the standards that are established with Capitol and Star.
“The decision to stay on strike carried by 93%. It was a fantastic display of commitment after five weeks of the strike. In fact, a larger percentage of employees voted to continue the strike today than voted to strike on July 1,” Mari said.
The union is continuing to call for better pay, better benefits and more labor protections.
At the meeting Sunday, two representatives from the union’s negotiation committee expressed strong feelings about Republic’s alleged refusal to negotiate in good faith with Local 25. Employees were also told about Republic’s repeated unsuccessful efforts to get an injunction form the federal courts. They then voted by secret ballot to reject Republic’s last offer and to continue their strike.
Republic Services has released video that they say show striking workers blocking trash collection in Massachusetts.
Republic Services tells NBC10 Boston in a statement that they are disappointed in the vote to continue the work stoppage rather than encourage Teamsters Local 25 leadership to return tot he bargaining table in good faith.
“Despite that decision, our non-union employees and support staff will continue servicing our customers in the greater Boston area,” the company said, adding that they have proposed a strong package with industry-leading wage and health benefits.
Republic says their proposal includes a 16% wage increase in the first year and a 43% wage increase over the life of the contract, as well as a zero-premium healthcare plan with no deductible and generous retirement contributions.
Republic Services also claimed in its statement that the union informed them that they do not intend to agree to a discount unless every one of its demands are met, including amnesty.
“Despite video evidence, Teamsters Local 25 continues to claim that it is not engaging in unlawful and disruptive tactics yet demands amnesty for its members. If no laws have been broken, why is amnesty for strike-related behavior one of the union’s primary goals?” Republic wrote. “It is more clear than ever that the union relies on these unlawful and dangerous tactics with one goal in mind: disrupt service.”
The company concluded its statement Sunday saying they remain ready to meet with union leadership when “they are serious about reaching an agreement.”
With garbage still piling up amid the ongoing trash strike in Massachusetts, several communities were in court asking a judge to compel Republic Services to do a better job of collecting waste. But the company said they’re doing the best they can.
immediately the Revere City Council is worried about rat problems and public health implications, so they’re thinking about issuing fines to commercial businesses who have contracts with Republic Services to spur some movement.
“Our contract is through Capitol Waste so Republic only does condos and commercial businesses here in the city so we have seen condos and restaurants get a little backed up,” Revere City Council President Marc Silvestri said.
“We could in theory fine the commercial sites that’s something that was kicked around in our council meeting on Monday,” said Revere City Councilor Juan Pablo Jaramillo.
“We don’t want to take it out on these business that have no control but trying to do something to urge the ownership to come to a conclusion,” said Revere City Councilor Paul Argenzio.
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