REcycle
Waste Management drivers set up picket lines at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday in King and Snohomish Counties. (AP/David J. Phillip)

Waste Management strike halts pickups for second day

BY MyNorthwest.com  on July 25, 2012 @ 9:33 am (Updated: 9:19 am - 7/26/12 )

Related
Waste Management says a strike by recycling and yard waste haulers will prevent pickups for a second straight day. Workers set up picket lines in King and Snohomish Counties Wednesday after months of contract talks failed to produce an agreement.

Contract requests from Teamsters Local 117 include higher pay to match garbage drivers, who reportedly earn $9 more per hour than recycling drivers.

The union says the company is trying to unilaterally change working conditions, is threatening to retaliate against workers, and is bargaining in bad-faith.

"Waste Management has forced this labor dispute through its blatant disregard of U.S. law," said Local 117 Secretary-Treasurer, Tracey A. Thompson, in a news release. "Now they are on the verge of provoking a public health crisis. Waste Management needs to realize that this community will not sit idly by while they put our families at risk."

The 153 recycle and yard waste drivers have been working without a contract since May 31. Replacement drivers have been ready to take over since a strike vote was taken June 2.

"They are not bargaining in good faith. They are not returning to the table and it's time that we take action to get them to return to the table and bargain in good faith," said curbside yard waste driver Brent Barrett on the picket line.

"We're deeply dismayed that this is the choice that the union leadership took. It was an unnecessary, disappointing move," company spokeswoman Robin Freedman said.

Waste Management says if your area isn't on this list, assume your regular collection schedule.

You can call 1-800-230-7418 to report recycle, yard waste, and garbage service disruptions and visit www.seattletrashwatch.org for updates and information.

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
The team that brings you MyNorthwest.com
Related:
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Sopranos Star Dies at 51
    James Gandolfini, the actor famous for "The Sopranos", died suddenly in Italy

  • More to the Story
    Liberace's ex-lover says the world will hear more of his story, and Michael Jackson's in there

  • A Skeptic's Doubts
    An ESPN columnist doubts Russell Wilson will ever be elite
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (51)


  • Add A Comment

  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    Dear waste management, I will drive a truck for 20% less
    July 25, 2012 9:54 am
    Than the $90k you are paying those greedy bastids.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ye Olde Hagge wrote...
    My husband has been unemployed for a few months
    July 25, 2012 9:57 am
    and I'm sure he would happily work for less than what the whiners are demanding. He would definitely complain less.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    What Are You Smokin?.........
    July 25, 2012 11:01 am
    90K a year?

    Put down the bong and copy and paste this into you address bar:

    http://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Waste-Management-Salaries-E2094.htm

    Here's another little nugget to copy/paste for some more education:

    http://www.forbes.com/lists/2012/12/ceo-compensation-12_David-P-Steiner_Z09T.html

    Guy's making a 5 year average of 5.2 million. How's it work where you work?

    P.S....to all you union haters ( I don't work for Waste Management )

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    Hpygolkyone: you should remember to include cost of full benefits, which are substantial
    July 25, 2012 11:28 am
    Before making a fool of yourself. This whole strike is is nothing more than a money grab by the teamsters who stand to get a significant bump in dues if recycle and yard waste base pay goes up. Garbage drivers make more because......the job is gross. What makes you think that sitting amongst grass clippings and paper is worth the same as sitting among used diapers and tampons? What makes you think that the garbage drivers are going to demand a differential if the salaries are leveled up?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Hmmmmmm?.........
    July 25, 2012 11:47 am
    So tell me how I can make a fool out of myself? I work for a union....have for a long time.

    I was out of work for 20 months.....went back to work for 10 months....that job ended and have been without work for 7 months.

    So tell me again, what don't I know about unions?

    On another note: I haven't had to collect a DIME of unemployment....why? I knew that the industry I was getting into had it's up's and it's down's. ( I saved like a crazy person for just such a day ) It has been in the toilet for over 5 years. I operate several businesses that sustain me in a very nice home, send my kids to college....and I'm doing okay.

    My basic dues has gone up a few bucks in the last few years and I pay several thousand dollars in "working dues". All that comes off my taxes at the end of the year...boo hoo.

    Still think I am a fool; maybe I am?....I am well aware of the cost of their benefits.....duh. All my benefits amount to another $16.00/hr. How's it work where you work? Does your employer pay ANY benefits to you? If they do, then I should be complaining to them, because they are passing that cost on to the public in whatever product or service they provide.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    Hpygolkyone: You are a fool because....
    July 25, 2012 11:58 am
    WM Drivers can make $60k per year with overtime and even on glass door, which is unreliable and statistically insignificant, one driver reports $51k per year. If you just tacked on your benefits quote, which sounds low given the perks the teamsters have, that is another $32k per year. That comes to $83k per year just using your two anecdotal data points. If you want to set that as the new bar, I will STILL drive a recycle truck for 20% less than that.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Citizen............
    July 25, 2012 1:28 pm
    Have at 'er.

    Waste Management is hiring!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sean wrote...
    hpygolkyone,
    July 26, 2012 1:30 pm
    The "public" doesn't pay a PENNY of my salary and benefits, just like it dorsn't pay a PENNY of ANY private company's salaries or benefits. Those levels are MARKET-driven -- just as many of these hyper-inflated union jobs SHOULD be. Get a clue!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • joetheretiredguy wrote...
    So what.
    July 25, 2012 11:56 am
    So you don't work for WM. Neither do I. What management makes (Approved by stockholder including the IRAs and fund managers because they make a profit through good management) has bearing on the situation only that it brings out the class envy folks and other socialists who think government can do it better. Why look at the congress. They name and vote on their own salary. They leave congress millionaires. How? You vote them back in year after year. So what do you think they do with all that money? The answer is they create jobs through investing and buying those things you envy them for like yachts and high end cars. You need to go to your nearest homeless person and ask them for a job. Or, maybe your next door neighbor may be hiring.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • joetheretiredguy wrote...
    so what
    July 25, 2012 12:00 pm
    I meant to answer hpygolkyone. I agree with Citizen of Krazy Town. The grab for money means more power and luxury for the labor bosses.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ottmilkr wrote...
    Dear Krazy Citizen
    July 25, 2012 5:51 pm
    I will drive the truck for 20% less than you will, once the Teamster contract is gone, I can do that. Ever think of that?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • jpetro wrote...
    I hope
    July 25, 2012 10:00 am
    they all get canned....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bmaddy wrote...
    Bunch of babies!
    July 25, 2012 10:14 am
    You union workers piss me off! 20 years ago you had to get out of the truck and lift the trash, now its a joy stick! Hope you tools loose your OVER PAID union jobs!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ottmilkr wrote...
    bmaddy
    July 25, 2012 8:50 pm
    Wishing bad upon others is frowned upon in the bible. I would not want your karma.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • just Fred wrote...
    unbelievable
    July 25, 2012 10:55 am
    These union idiots need to start living in reality. As most of the posts indicate, there are lots of people without jobs right now that would love to go to work. Waste Management needs to dump these whiners and hire people that want to work. Unions were needed 75-100 years ago, but they are just a leech sucking the life out of companies and workers in todays environment.I have never wanted or needed to hide behind a union and want someone to do my talking and negotiating for me. If I didn't like my job, for whatever reason, I simply went out and got a different one. Unions have created an environment where workers are rewarded for being lazy and incompetent - promotion because of seniority and not skill and knowledge.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ottmilkr wrote...
    Just Fred
    July 25, 2012 6:31 pm
    Where did you get that idea.. listening to Rush Limbaugh? Let me tell you something, go down to Food Services of America , Sysco, Quality Custom Distribution or Golden State Foods, and just simply walk around with a fork truck operator on a shift, go out with a driver in a 12-14 hour hand truck delivery day , and watch what the real story is.. You will feel foolish that you ever typed this stuff you typed. Try thinking for a change.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Wow ottmilkr
    July 26, 2012 8:36 am
    That was a really good cut & paste job you did. Right out of the Democrat handbook... You sound more brain dead than "Say it ain't so" Joe Bidden. of course the new Democrat theme is: " Constantly striving for a we level of incompetence"....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Or rather
    July 26, 2012 11:28 am
    Democrats: Constantly striving for a new level of incompetence!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Fuego wrote...
    Someone once said...
    July 25, 2012 11:17 am
    "A fool and his job are soon separated".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Country_Dog wrote...
    No worries
    July 25, 2012 11:22 am
    I have a contingency plan.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Bucket Dad wrote...
    If they aren't picking up my trash
    July 25, 2012 11:25 am
    do I get a lower bill for the month? After all, there was no service provided.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sean wrote...
    No, BucketDad...
    July 26, 2012 1:37 pm
    They're going to DOUBLE their workload the next pick-up day. What does THAT tell you about how hard the job is? And by the way, their rep on the radio said they'd do this "at no additional charge." WOW -- that's SO GRACIOUS!!! Are you kidding me Do you think we're THAT stupid????
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    Hpygolkyone- Ha Ha Ha what a joke!
    July 25, 2012 12:01 pm
    You post a link to a site that has company reviews posted anonymously by employees, Not real salaries, and who cares how much the CEO makes he is the CEO for a reason and not a truck driver. Lock them all out and replace them permanently.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Idiots!
    July 25, 2012 12:12 pm
    Striking in this economy. Pure idiocracy! Lunacy!

    Union guy shakes head!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ottmilkr wrote...
    This economy ?
    July 26, 2012 4:07 am
    Takes 2 hours to go from Puyallup at 6 am to Woodinville at 8 am because of traffic, the stores are jam packed everywhere you go, I don't see any evidence that "this economy" is any diff than back in the 2000's when people were consuming at will. "This economy" is a term the wealthy have cooked up to steal your benefits and cut your pay.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Vlastimil wrote...
    here's an idea
    July 25, 2012 1:12 pm
    Take $4.50 an hour from garbage haulers and give it to the recycle and yard waste operators. There, parity achieved.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ottmilkr wrote...
    Vlast
    July 25, 2012 6:32 pm
    Why is "take" part of your mentality...?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }