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Trash talks head to mediation as strike continues
Service disruption stretches on with no resolution yet in the Republic Services-Union standoff.
As a trash strike stretches into its 11th day, Republic Services and union leaders are set to meet with a federal mediator Friday as both sides continue to trade blame over the stalled negotiations and ongoing service disruptions.
Republic Services announced on Thursday evening that members of Teamsters Local 25, representing the union workers, agreed to work with them and a federal mediator on Friday.
On July 1, 450 Republic Services waste collection workers in Massachusetts went on strike after their contract expired. Teamsters Local 25 has continued negotiations with the company for better wages, improved benefits, and stronger labor protections.
Last week, a meeting between the union and the company with a federal mediator did not result in a new contract.
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Republic Services says it offers employees a competitive wage, benefit plans, and a holiday and paid-time-off program.
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On Thursday morning, Teamsters Local 25 President Thomas G. Mari said that Republic’s refusal to resume negotiations led to the extension of the picket lines across the country, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
Before the announcement of mediation, the president said the union was prepared to extend to additional cities if Republic Services refused to come to the bargaining table and agree to a fair contract.
As of 10 a.m. on Thursday, more than 4,000 Teamsters in California and Washington were either honoring Local 25’s picket lines in those states or on strike in Illinois and Massachusetts.
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“This strike will last as long as necessary to make certain that Republic Teamsters get what they’ve rightfully deserve,” Mari said in a statement. “Our members are fully committed to this effort. This strike will end when Republic comes to its senses and agrees to bring pay and benefits up to the industry standard. We know and Republic knows they can afford it.”
Teamsters Local 25 represents more than 12,000 members in greater Boston and southern New England.
In contrast, Republic Services on Wednesday argued that their employees are among the best paid in the market, with 45% of their drivers represented by the union earning more than $100,000 last year. The company also argued that it pays 100% of their medical premiums.
“We empathize with customers who have been impacted by the Teamsters’ decision to stop work,” the company said. “We are working hard to continue providing service.”
On Tuesday evening, the company said it continued to have collection trucks on the ground, providing services to the municipalities affected by the strike.
Last week, Congressman Seth Moulton and other elected officials supported the striking waste collectors by joining them on the line.
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“You are standing up for working people across America,” Moulton told workers on Tuesday.
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