King County Recology customers facing possible garbage strike

SEATTLE — Recology customers in King County could be facing a smelly and unpleasant problem after six office employees authorized a strike that would shut down garbage collection.

The vote by the small group office data specialists at Recology, who are Teamsters Local 174 members, came amid stalled contract negotiations.

Because the union is the same one that represents the drivers and dispatchers at Recology’s Seattle location, all members of Local 174 Recology Teamsters have the right to refuse to cross the picket line.

According to a news release from the union, when the small group of specialized workers first voted to join the Teamsters, they expected to get the same terms and conditions as the 230 other members of the union serving communities in Seattle, Shoreline, Bothell, Des Moines, Issaquah, Mercer Island and Maple Valley.

The union said if picket lines were to be extended, even more workers and communities would be affected.

“This is short-sighted corporate greed, as Recology would rather face a countywide strike than treat these six additional people with the same dignity and respect that has been bargained for the other 230 employees that they work with,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks.

In response to the union’s action, Recology said in a statement Wednesday:

"Recology has an excellent relationship with our employees and a great track record of working with the Teamsters – demonstrated by our 291 employee-owners who are members of the Local. Yesterday we began bargaining to cover data quality employees. We were surprised that within hours of just one introductory bargaining session where the Teamsters presented their first offer, and prior to receiving any proposal from Recology, the Union notified us of their intention to strike. As a result, Recology had no choice but to protect the company and all of our customers by appealing to the National Labor Relations Board for immediate relief to prevent a strike and continue negotiations. Recology is committed to working this out with the Teamsters through good faith negotiations.

“We do not believe negotiations concerning 5 employees should jeopardize garbage and recycling collection for thousands of customers and we have we asked the Teamsters to return to the bargaining table so we can provide a response to their initial proposal. Recology is committed to participating in a fair and thoughtful bargaining process and will bargain with the Teamsters in good faith. Recology is also dedicated to maintaining excellent customer service during this time.”

But the union said now that a strike has been authorized, Teamsters Local 174 leaders can call for a work stoppage at any time.

Additionally, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Solid Waste Division has given approval to extend picket lines throughout Recology’s jurisdiction in the Western US, Teamsters Local 174 said.

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