Service disruptions possible for Republic waste customers after union votes to authorize strike
By Q13 News Staff
Photo from Republic Services Teamsters
TUKWILA, Wash. - Customers of Republic Recycle and Yard Waste Services could see service disruptions as early as June following a unanimous vote by Teamster union members to authorize a strike.
A group of 130 Teamster yard waste and recycle drivers, employed by Republic Services, voted to authorize a strike. The Republic employees were joined by over a hundred yard waste and recycle drivers for Waste Management who voted unanimously to ratify a fully recommended contract proposal.
The central issue in both the Republic and Waste Management negotiations has been the significant disparity in overall compensation between the garbage haulers and the recycle and yard waste drivers. According to Teamsters, Republic Services has rejected the drivers’ call for equity.