SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES
Are you qualified to drive a garbage truck?
Aug 1, 2012, 2:08 AM | Updated: 4:36 pm
Waste management says it will hire new permanent replacement drivers to get service rolling again in Western Washington.
What does it take to be a trash, yard waste or recycle truck driver? Here are the qualifications Waste Management lists on its website for residential recycle drivers.
Residential/Recycle Drivers are responsible for the collection and hand loading of residential waste/recyclables as well as the transporting of this waste/recyclables by a front-load or rear-load truck to a transfer station, landfill site, or a materials recycling facility.
Qualifications:
21 years of age or older
Legally eligible to work in the United States
Valid Class A or B commercial driver’s license with airbrakes endorsement
At least 1 year of previous experience operating a vehicle requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL)
Clean driving record
Successfully pass pre-employment (post offer) drug screen, background and motor vehicle records check and Department of Transportation Physical
At Waste Management, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Short Term Disability. As well as Stock Purchase Plan, Company match on 401k plan, Tuition Reimbursement and employees also receive Paid Vacation, Holidays and Personal Days.
Waste Management’s contract with Local 117 expired at the end of May. The union wants to close a gap of about $9 an hour between the pay of its recycling truck drivers and the garbage truck drivers of Local 174. Waste Management is offering a six-year deal it says would raise average salaries from $58,000 to $68,000 a year. If benefits are included, the offer is worth $98,000 a year to a driver at the end of the sixth year.
Garbage haulers on strike are warning customers the quality of work may not be as great. Listen to their phone call:
Related: Trash talk – whose side are you on?
By LINDA THOMAS
AP/Ted S. Warren photo
