Teamsters are taking coordinated strike action at Republic Services to fight for fair pay and strong contracts at one of the largest private sanitation companies in North America.
More than 7,000 Teamsters work at Republic Services. They are covered under separate local contracts. But they are taking coordinated national strike action to fight back and win.
The first strike was launched on July 1 by 450 Local 25 Teamsters in Boston, where Republic is refusing to match the wages and benefits that Teamsters make at the company’s main competitor in Eastern Massachusetts, Capitol Waste and Star Waste Systems.
Since then, Republic Teamsters in five states have launched strikes of their own, including members of Georgia Local 728, Illinois Local 179, Stockton Local 439 and Washington Local 252.
Extending Picket Lines
Teamsters from each local are building their bargaining leverage by extending their picket lines to Republic locations where Teamsters have the right to honor picket lines and refuse to go to work.
"After we walked, Teamsters from locals all over the Bay Area joined us by honoring our picket lines,” said Jose Zepeda, a chief shop steward at the Stockton Republic landfill. Garbage collection for more than a million people in Northern California is being affected.
“The company is hurting because of our unity. That's the firepower we need to win the contract we deserve,” Zepeda said.
Teamster solidarity is spreading to thousands of Republic workers. That number could grow to 3,500 nationwide.
Last week, Local 396 members at EQ Environmental Services/Republic Services voted to authorize a strike. More than 1,000 Teamsters in Southern California could cease working if picket lines are extended to their locations.
Republic is the second-largest sanitation company in North America. The company hauled in a total revenue of $16 billion last year and paid CEO Jon Vander Ark $13 million.
Republic has the money to provide fair wages and benefits and Teamster members are striking together to get what’s theirs.