SEATTLE — A labor fight between Waste Management and its picketing employees has cut garbage, recycling and yard waste service for thousands in King and Snohomish counties, and the company hinted late Thursday it might be ready to bring in replacement workers.
See affected areas here, information for Seattle customers here, and information for Renton customers here.
According to Teamsters Local Union 117, 153 recycling and yard waste drivers are on strike. Though garbage haulers are not on strike, most of the 300 drivers are supporting their fellow employees with a work stoppage.
The city of Renton sent a news release Thursday afternoon that said Thursday's missed collections would be picked up Friday, and that Wednesday's missed collections would be picked up Saturday. The city did not say if that meant Waste Management is hiring replacement workers. The company didn't immediately c0mment on the release, other than to say it is seriously talking about what it calls "contingency plans."
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Confusion between union, company
Waste Management spokeswoman Robin Freedman didn't answer questions Thursday after appearing to read a statement, but she did say the company is willing to meet with the union on Saturday.
"We are prepared to meet, provided the union leadership does three things: Discontinue the pickets, allow our drivers to return to work and ensure that work is uninterrupted next week."
The company sent KIRO 7 a news release detailing that offer as a news crew headed to a Teamster's news conference, where it quickly became apparent the union hadn't heard about Waste Management's willingness to negotiate.
"I had not seen the company's press release prior to coming in here," union spokeswoman Brenda Wiest said. "I had no idea. This is the first I've heard."
Meanwhile, Waste Management sought to ease concerns about trash, recycling and yard-waste pick up.
“If you do not receive collection today, and today is your collection day, you can double load next week for no extra charge. Furthermore, we do have a contingency plan. We'll be analyzing pieces of that today and we'll be triggering parts of that on an as-needed basis,” said Robin Freedman with Waste Management.
Why are workers striking?
Drivers said Waste Management walked away from the bargaining table and broke labor laws. Waste Management said it presented a fair six-year contract with 4 percent raises each year. On the final year, the drivers would get a total package of $98,000 including health and retirement benefits.
Employees turned the offer down.
“It’s not about the money. It’s about unfair labor practices, and we do a dangerous job. We do a hard job. We do on average between six, seven or 800 stops a day. On a good day, we pull close to 10 tons,” said driver Chuck Davis.
Yard waste and recycling truck drivers said their pay is lower than that of garbage truck drivers, who make $109,000 a year, even though they essentially do the same job.
Some Waste Management customers think their demands are excessive.
"These guys are real out of line this time, and the economy, the way it is, to be asking the amount that they want," said customer Ronald Fairbairn.
Waste Management said it has put 16 offers on the table and all of them have been rejected.
"The things that they're putting in those offers, they're not willing to bargain over," said driver Brent Barrett.
Waste management said customers can get daily collection information at www.wmnorthwest.com.
KIRO
