Garbage drivers accept new Waste Management contract
Aug 1, 2012, 6:23 PM | Updated: Aug 2, 2012, 1:00 pm
Drivers are expected to return to regular collection routes Thursday after approving a new Waste Management contract. (97.3 KIRO FM/Tim Haeck)
The garbage strike is over after Waste
Management recycling-yard waste drivers
ratified a new six-year contract. Terms of the deal have
not been released.
Waste Management and Teamsters Local 117 reached a
tentative agreement Wednesday evening.
Teamsters leadership recommended that striking
recycling and yard waste truck drivers approve the pact
before a vote on Thursday morning, the two sides said in a
statement.
“This deal recognizes Seattle-area recycle and yard waste
drivers for the tremendous job they do in performing
difficult, dangerous work that protects the public health
and the environment,” Tracey Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer
of Teamsters Local 117 said in a news release. “Recycling
is our future. We thank our drivers for their critical
role in keeping our cities clean and for helping to make
our region one of the leaders in the industry.”
The ratification means more than 200,000 customers can
expect the return of regular yard waste and recycling
service. The strike began July 25.
Garbage truck drivers, represented by a different
Teamsters local, have been honoring the strikers’ picket
lines, but also returned to work Thursday.
“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,
spokesperson for
Waste Management.
Due to the timing of the ratification vote, recycling and
yard waste collection on Thursday will be limited.
The company is telling residential and commercial
customers to put out their bins if Thursday is their
regular collection day.
Mayor Mike McGinn said Waste Management customers
in Seattle can continue to drop off up to six bags of
garbage or yard waste at transfer stations for free. This
free service will last through this Sunday.
The company has said it expects it will be fined for
missing pickups. Its contract with the city allows
penalties of $1.25 million a day for service disruptions
that last more than a week. The fines would be used to
help customers pay bills.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
