Waste Management settle with city for $1.24 million over garbage hauling strike

Lynn Thompson
The Seattle Times
25, 2012

Some Seattle residents and businesses will see a refund on their garbage bill, their share of a $1.24 million settlement the city reached over the recent strike against Waste Management.

Mayor Mike McGinn Tuesday announced the settlement with the trash giant over missed collections including recycling and yard waste during an eight-day strike last month by Teamster union drivers.

Residential accounts will be credited $10 on solid waste bills for November-December, Condominiums, businesses and apartments will receive a $50 credit per Dumpster account, the mayor said.

Only those who are served by Waste Management will receive refunds Those served by CleanScapes will not receive refunds.

"This was the longest garbage strike in the city's history, and thousands of residents and businesses were inconvenienced," McGinn said in a statement. "The good news is that our contract with Waste Management provided for substantial payment penalties for a strike lasting more than seven days — and we were able to use that provision to help bring an end to the strike."

On day seven of the strike, McGinn announced that the city would begin to assess the fines.

Teamsters Local 117 recycling drivers struck with the support of Local 174, garbage, food and yard waste drivers.

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