The offer is expected to restore trash and recycling services as soon as Monday, according to the statement, but customers may still see delays as returning drivers complete mandatory retraining.
“We look forward to our employees returning to work on Monday and quickly resuming normal operations,” said Kurt Lavery, market vice president for Republic Services. “We will work tirelessly to restore our customers’ trust.”
Union members overwhelmingly ratified the contract on Friday morning, according to the Teamsters. Union officials said the breakthrough in the 82-day standoff came when Republic agreed to the union’s health plan for dental, audiology, and vision benefits. Wages will rise 46 percent over five years, according a union spokesperson.
“This is an extremely strong contract, and our members are looking forward to going back to work Monday, and back into the communities they service,” Tom Mari, president of Teamsters Local 25, said in a statement. “Thank you to the people who live in the affected communities who openly urged Republic to provide its employees with the contract that represents the hard work the employees perform every day.”
The offer marks an end to a bitter dispute filled with lawsuits and finger pointing, with both parties accusing each other of acting in bad faith.
Republic, based in Phoenix, filed lawsuits alleging the Teamsters have engaged in unlawful strike activity, including vandalizing equipment, blocking garbage trucks, intimidation, and disrupting collections. Teamsters sent strikers to picket Republic operations in California to bring pressure on the company.
The strike also drew criticism from local officials, including Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who urged Republic to make a offer, citing public health concerns and demanding the company clean up the piles of trash. Six local municipalities — Beverly, Malden, Gloucester, Peabody, Danvers, and Canton — unsuccessfully went to court in July over the disruptions.
“This is welcome news for the people and communities served by Republic,” Healey said a statement, “and for the sanitation workers who can immediately return to work with the wages and benefits they deserve.“
Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga said he was relieved that the strike has ended. But, he added, the city plans to hold Republic Services accountable for the disruptions as officials consider whether to renew Republic’s 10-year contract, which expires in September 2026.
“This has been an extremely challenging time for our community,” he said in a statement. “Our DPW team has been working tirelessly to fill service gaps and keep the city moving, which has come with additional costs.”
Malden Public Works director Robert Knox said he “couldn’t be happier,” that the parties have reached an agreement. During the strike, he said, most of the city’s Public Works workers were assigned to tend trash drop-off sites and tag overflowing bins.
He said he expected a brief transition period before a return to regular collection schedules. Still, he said, “This is a good day for everybody and for us to get back to work and normal times. I’m very proud of our staff and how they stepped up during these 80 days.”
Yogev Toby can be reached at yogev.toby@globe.com.
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