Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
As trash strike drags on, Teamsters get a win in court
A work stoppage involving trash collectors passed the 20-day mark. With dumpsters overflowing and negotiations stalling, there appears to be no end in sight.
Workers for waste removal company Republic Services are continuing to strike this week, extending their work stoppage past the 20-day mark. As negotiations continue to be unfruitful, various related battles are playing out in court.
Notably, Republic was dealt a blow Monday when a federal judge denied the company’s motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the striking Teamsters. Republic sued Teamsters Local 25 last week, alleging a range of unlawful and violent conduct from the striking workers.
In that complaint, Republic implied that a union member briefly stole a company truck from a Roxbury facility. The company also accused Teamsters of violently swarming vehicles being operated by non-union employees, keying some and hitting others with their hands and flashlights. One Teamster even used a knife to slash the tires of a vehicle, Republic alleged in court documents.
Advertisement:
But, during a hearing Monday, Judge Brian Murphy found Republic’s evidence to be lacking and denied the company’s motions, according to a Teamsters spokesperson.
“Frankly, I’m not surprised. We knew the allegations made by Republic did not justify any action by the federal court,” Teamsters Local 25 President Tom Mari said in a statement. “As usual, Republic misled the court about our conduct. Maybe now Republic will come to its senses and come back to the bargaining table to resolve the strike.”
Tuesday will also be a significant day in court. Six of the 14 Massachusetts communities that rely on Republic for municipal waste removal filed a complaint for injunctive relief in Essex Superior Court against Republic last week, saying that the company was not upholding its contracts and was failing to pick up waste in a timely manner.
Advertisement:
A hearing on that matter is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Beverly, Canton, Danvers, Gloucester, Malden, and Peabody signed on to the complaint, which seeks to require Republic to immediately collect all trash and recycling within those communities. Officials in each of those municipalities said that overflowing dumpsters, rats, and strong odors are causing adverse effects on residents.
“The accumulation of trash and recycling throughout the municipalities has resulted in nuisances and sources of filth and causes of sicknesses,” the complaint states.
Previously:
Republic, a Phoenix-based company that generates around $16 billion in revenue a year, has some 130,000 residential and 270,000 commercial customers in Massachusetts. The 14 communities that contract with Republic for trash pickup are mostly located on the North Shore, but commercial customers such as restaurants are being impacted by the strike throughout the state. Republic is still picking up waste, but many trash pickups are being severely delayed or missed entirely.
The strike has expanded across the country, with more than 2,000 Teamsters either actively on strike or honoring picket lines, according to the union. Teamsters leadership declared “war” on Republic and said that garbage collection in state after state will be shut down until the company gives the workers what they deserve.
Advertisement:
In Massachusetts, Both Gov. Maura Healey and Secretary of State Bill Galvin have called on Republic to strike a deal with Teamsters Local 25.
But the prospects of that happening anytime soon appear dim. Negotiators for both sides have met more than 10 times, lately with the help of a federal mediator, but remain at an impasse. The union is demanding better wages, the ability to have Republic workers enroll in the Teamsters health insurance plan, and better labor protections.
The most recent bargaining session occurred last Friday. Afterwards the Teamsters said that Republic “wasted” the union’s time, taking a 5-hour caucus before returning without an increase to its wage proposal or concessions about health insurance.
Republic, on the other hand, maintains that it is offering industry-leading wages and benefits. The company is wholly focused on reaching an agreement, Republic said in a release Friday, but the Teamsters prefer “chaos over compromise.”
“The Teamsters appear willing to sacrifice employee paychecks and community needs to advance their own agenda rather than supporting the employees they claim to support,” Republic said.
After talks broke down on Friday, the two sides did not agree to a future negotiating session. It is unclear when Republic and the Teamsters will bargain again.
Advertisement:
A spokesperson for Republic confirmed Tuesday evening that no bargaining sessions are scheduled.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com