BELLEVUE, Wash. — As temperatures tick up, a free garbage drop-off location in Bellevue provided some relief for customers who haven’t had their trash collected for days as a labor dispute drags on.
Lines into Bannerwood Park wrapped up the road as people waited their turn to hand over hot, stinky bags of garbage to a team of Republic Services workers who were there to collect it.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Trash pickup disrupted in western Washington by Teamsters strike
The lack of garbage pickup follows a labor strike and nationwide work stoppage against Republic Services by members of Teamsters Locals 252 in Lacey and 25 in Boston. Contract talks resumed Tuesday morning in Boston, but as things stand, no one is returning to the negotiation table in Lacey until July 30, according to Matt McQuaid, a Teamsters spokesperson.
McQuaid said their membership is fighting for wages that are consistent with the cost of living and state of industry, for health care coverage that is affordable and accessible, as well as work rules that are fairer.
Workers in five cities are currently on strike, but Teamsters in cities across the nation are united and observing work stoppages until these labor issues are resolved.
The strike in Thurston County comes shortly after Republic Teamsters in Boston; Ottawa, Illinois; Cumming, Georgia; and Stockton, California went on strike.
In a statement, the Teamsters union said it will extend picket lines to Los Angeles and a major landfill in Ohio. As a result, more than 2 million Los Angeles residents will be affected, and 12 million pounds of trash per day won’t be unloaded in one of the nation’s largest landfills.
“It’s shocking, and increasingly disgusting, how far Republic Services is willing to push its workforce. Our members are everyday Americans performing essential services across our communities, but Republic is unwilling to offer workers good wages, decent benefits, or a fair contract,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The American public needs to understand that Republic Services and its overpaid, corrupt executives own this strike. Their greed is forcing trash collectors and waste haulers across the country out into the street. We don’t want this garbage piling up. We want to return to work. But we refuse to be exploited.”
Republic Services also responded through email, claiming “local employees are facing intimidation and threats to keep them from crossing the picket lines. Union representatives from Boston and elsewhere have threatened our drivers with fines and the loss of union benefits and future representation if they show up to work.”
Republic Services said with the help of non-union employees, the company is collecting trash for most of their commercial customers and all critical locations, such as hospitals, grocery stores and public facilities in the Puget Sound area. However, “most of our residential customers will experience modified service. We advise residents to bag extra garbage in strong bags or extra garbage containers. We will collect all material on the next regular, uninterrupted service day.”
Free collection will continue on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Bannerwood Park, located at 1790 Richards Road in Bellevue.
Aside from Bellevue, service is also paused in Renton, Kent, Lynnwood, Edmonds and a transfer station in south Seattle, as well as unincorporated King and Snohomish counties, among other service sites.
Republic Services said the company will collect double garbage, recycling, and compost on its next regularly scheduled service day after the strike ends at no additional charge.
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