Waste Management and Teamsters Local 117 have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract that will have garbage drivers back on their regular collection routes by Thursday morning, Waste Management said.
The company said that teamster leadership and the bargaining committee will recommend members approve the new contract during a vote scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at Union Hall in Tukwila.
“We are pleased to have negotiated a contract that recognizes the professionalism of our members,” said Tracey Thompson, Secretary Treasurer for Teamsters Local 117 in a statement.
Due to the timing of the vote, a Waste Management release said, recycling and yard waste collection will still be limited until further notice.
“We are extremely pleased that we reached an agreement on a new contract that delivers a solid compensation package to our hardworking and professional drivers,” said Robin Freedman, a spokesperson for Waste Management.
Freedman said it may take a while for the company to fully recuperate, though.
For more information on collection times, the company is referring customers to its website.