Republic Services strike disrupts trash pickup for hundreds of thousands in Boston area

Waste collection for hundreds of thousands of households in the Boston area has been affected due to a strike by Republic Services employees.

The walkout, which involves 450 Republic Services employees represented by Teamsters Local 25, started just after midnight on Tuesday when a current contract expired.

The Republic Teamsters are calling for better pay, benefits, and more robust labor laws.

According to Teamsters General President Sean O. Brien, the garbage firm is forcing workers to the picket line because it won’t give them a fair contract.

In a statement, he said, “Remember who’s to blame if your trash is piling up on July 4th: the white-collar criminals who run Republic Services.”

Republic Teamsters did not initiate this struggle, but we will see it through, O Brien added. In order to finally receive the respect they deserve, our members will stop at nothing.

As comparable contract issues unfold, Republic Teamsters predict picket lines might spread across the country, leading to a work stoppage of more than 3,500 employees.

Victor Mineros, director of the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division and international vice president for the Teamsters Western Region, stated that this battle is not limited to Boston.

He claimed that Teamsters all over the country, from Massachusetts to California, are having the same issues with this business. We will set an example for this employer’s maltreatment of our people if Republic doesn’t swiftly get its act together. Better is due to American labor.

1.3 million persons in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Republic Services responded to the strike with a statement. It expressed disappointment that instead of pursuing further talks, the union chose to call for a work stoppage.

According to the corporation, it already offers its workers competitive pay, health benefits, a pension, and vacation and holiday time. Additionally, it stated that it went into the talks hoping to increase wages.

In order to maintain service, the waste management firm is taking a number of actions, such as prioritizing routes, securing Republic Services staff from other regions, and increasing routing efficiency.

Republic Services stated that it would notify consumers of any changes and that customers might encounter a changed service schedule.

Residents of the Town of Cantont were informed on Tuesday morning that there would be no garbage or recycling collection for at least a day. The town stated that Republic Services is currently organizing relief drivers to resume collection services in the upcoming days and has notified the town that it expects a work stoppage.

Over 13 million clients are served by Republic Services, a publicly traded firm with 1,000 facilities across North America. About 42,000 individuals are employed by the company.