Due to the failure of Republic Services and Teamsters 25 union members to negotiate a new contract on Wednesday, around 450 Republic Services garbage collection workers are still on strike as they enter the July 4 holiday weekend.
Following the expiration of their contract with the company, hundreds of workers went on strike on Tuesday. They are calling for increased pay, better benefits, and more robust labor laws on behalf of Teamsters Local 25.
More than a dozen Massachusetts communities’ recycling and garbage services are impacted by the strike.
Republic Services said a federal mediator meeting between the union and the business on Wednesday did not lead to a new deal. The Teamsters declined the offer without a response, according to Republic Services.
The union responded in a statement on Thursday, claiming that Republic has been lying about the strike since the beginning and that the company’s most recent offer is totally irrational and a slap in the face to its members.
Nonetheless, Republic Services claimed to provide workers with a competitive salary, benefits packages, and paid time off and holidays.
According to a press release from the corporation, the union is prioritizing its own interests over those of its members and the communities they serve.
For a second day, the corporation blasted the Teamsters’ criminal and hazardous behavior, claiming that their actions put workers and the public at risk by threatening them, sabotaging trucks, harassing drivers, and cutting tires on occupied cars.
Kurt Lavery, market vice president, stated in a statement that we are dedicated to sincere discussions. Behavior that puts our workers or our communities in danger will not be accepted.
To reduce service interruptions, Republic Services is putting its contingency plan into action. This strategy calls for prioritizing routes, maximizing routing efficiency, and deploying staff from other locations.
Lavery continued, “We are still dedicated to coming to a just agreement that benefits both our customers and our employees.” We sincerely regret any inconvenience the Teamsters may have caused our consumers.
According to Teamsters 25, their requests are in line with those of other members of the industry.
The union said in a statement that true leadership would put the needs of Massachusetts citizens and labor peace ahead of corporate profit.
The union said the spirit of our members on the picket line has been tremendously motivating and thanks the community for its support and solidarity.
Sean O. Brien, the general president of Teamsters, posted a photo of himself on the strike line on X on Wednesday.
According to him, these @Teamsters are battling for fair pay, benefits, and working conditions against the syndicate of white-collar crimes @RepublicService. This line will be maintained for as long as necessary.
#TeamsterStrongThis morning, my siblings and I were on the strike line outside of my hometown, Local 25. These @Teamsters are battling for fair pay, benefits, and working conditions against the white-collar crime syndicate @RepublicService.This line will remain aspic.Twitter: https://tweebdZMnN
Prior to the strikes, Republic Services sanitation worker Mike Ortiz wrote an opinion piece for the Boston Herald on June 28.
Ortiz stated that he was unable to keep up with the cost of living in the area after Republic Services cut his compensation after acquiring his business, JRM, in 2022.
According to Ortiz, one of the riskiest occupations in the world is sanitation, and accidents are frequent. Our work is hard and physically taxing. I transport rubbish to incinerators and landfills as a transfer station driver. I frequently walk through trash mounds that are waist deep. I can’t even count how many times I’ve returned home unwell from a shift while wearing protective gear. We have earned the improved pay, health care, and protections we are fighting for because we understand the value of our labor.
Go here for a list of affected towns and cities.
For Boston.com, Beth Treffeisen works as a general assignment reporter, covering local news, crime, and business in the New England area.
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