Waste Management to permanently replace striking workers

Waste Management says replacement drivers are picking up garbage for some residential customers in the Seattle area Wednesday for the first time since a Teamsters strike a week ago disrupted service for 217,000 customers.

The company also says it will start hiring permanent replacement drivers for recycling and yard waste truck drivers who walked out July 25 in a contract dispute.

Striking workers set up a new picket line at Waste Management’s Burlington facility on Tuesday. The facility serves north Snohomish and Skagit counties. Garbage workers are refusing to cross the picket lines according to a representative of Teamsters Local 117.

The strike has affected over 200,000 customers in King and Snohomish counties.

>>>Service delays from Waste Management

The company has brought in replacement drivers, and says they will focus on commercial customers and residential service should return for some on Wednesday.

Waste Management is telling customers to put their trash out if it is their pickup day.

Waste Management has rebuffed union demands to return to the bargaining table to settle the strike by recycle and yard waste drivers. Garbage haulers have refused to cross the picket lines in solidarity.

“The company has left us with very little options to persuade them to come back to the table. So the option we have is to utilize the solidarity of the teamsters that work at Waste Management,” said Brenda Weist, a spokeswoman with Teamsters Local 117.

While no new talks are scheduled, Seattle Public Utilities has warned Waste Management it could begin imposing fines of up to $1.25 million a day if the strike continues. Other cities could impose fines of their own.

As a courtesy to customers in Seattle, the City of Seattle is offering free dumping at transfer stations starting Wednesday.

Union officials say they’re more than willing to resume talks, but insist the company won’t budge.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.