Stockton residents may experience trash pickup delays this week due to a strike by sanitation workers employed by Republic Services.
Members of the Teamsters Local 439 are on strike in Stockton in an effort to reach an agreement with Republic Services. Employees went on strike at noon on Tuesday, July 8.
The strike continued on Wednesday at Republic Services at 1145 W. Charter Way in Stockton and Forward Landfill at 9999 S. Austin Road in Manteca.
“Republic Services forced our members in Stockton out on strike by refusing to make meaningful progress at the bargaining table or provide Local 439 members with a contract that gives them a living wage that’s consistent with industry standards, affordable and accessible health care, and fair work rules,” Matt McQuaid, project manager, communications team for Teamsters Department of Strategic Initiatives told The Stockton Record via email on Wednesday.
McQuaid said there are about 40 members of the Teamsters Local 439 on strike and more than 600 members from other Teamsters local unions honoring the picket lines.
“Local 439 members who work at Republic Services are dedicated public servants. They don’t just work in Stockton, they live in Stockton,” McQuaid said. “Republic Teamsters would rather be back at work, but the employer left them with no other option.”
Teamsters Local 439 is a labor union that represents members in San Joaquin, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. They have served these areas for more than 60 years, representing more than 5,600 members and with over 85 employers participating in collective bargaining agreements with them, according to the labor union’s website.
McQuaid said Teamsters settle more than 90% of the waste industry contracts without stoppage of work.
“This strike is Republic’s fault,” McQuaid said.
What to know about anticipated delays in waste pickup
Republic Services confirmed the strike and the possibility of waste collection delays.
“Republic Services is in contract negotiations with IBT 439, the union representing some of our employees at Forward Landfill. Those employees are engaged in a temporary work stoppage and are picketing at other Republic Services locations in the area,” Republic Services officials said in a statement. “As a result, we anticipate temporary service delays for some recycling and waste collection customers in the area.”
Republic Services officials also stated that services at essential businesses such as hospitals, nursing homes and apartment complexes are still being provided.
The company shared a list of communities where service delays are being experienced. Communities experiencing service delays include:
“We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause,” Republic Services officials said.
McQuaid said businesses and residents that receive trash collection services from Republic Services throughout Stockton, “should expect their garbage to pile up until the strike is resolved.”
He said that the strike can end tomorrow if Republic Services gives Teamsters what they are asking for.
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Stockton ‘exploring alternative options’ amid strike
Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi told The Record via email on Wednesday that the city was informed of the strike on Tuesday. Since the strike had not started at that time, city officials waited to verify the information was correct before issuing a public update.
By Tuesday afternoon, the city of Stockton took to social media to inform the community of the anticipated interruption.
“The City understands how important reliable service is to our community. We are communicating with Republic Services and will share updates as they become available. Republic Services is also providing updates to its customers via the customer’s preferred form of communication (email or phone message). Thank you for your patience and understanding as this situation develops.”
Fugazi said that while all routes are not impacted, service is limited. She went on to say that supervisors and team members are doing their best to continue the collection of waste.
Fugazi is hopeful the “strike will not last longer than a week,” but said it depends on the negotiations between Republic Services and Teamsters.
“We are currently exploring alternative options, such as designated drop-off locations. In the meantime, some residents and businesses may need to hold onto their waste until service resumes,” Fugazi said. “This is also a good opportunity to evaluate what items belong in regular trash bins, and which can be sorted into recycling or green waste. Many items that are typically thrown away can be diverted from the landfill with proper sorting.”
Stockton residents have taken to the city’s post about the waste collection service interruption to ask if they will receive any sort of discount on their bills if their trash is not picked up. Fugazi said questions regarding “billing or possible service credits” should be directed to Republic Services.
“At this time, we are focused on maximizing waste collection and will address billing questions in the near future,” Republic Services officials said. “We are making adjustments to our operations to continue providing service during this situation.”
Republic Services workers strike nationwide
Stockton’s sanitation workers are not the only employees striking.
In the Midwest, strikes have also made headlines in Evansville, Indiana where members of the Teamsters Local 215 are in contract talks with Republic Services. Trash has also started to pile up in the streets of Philadelphia amid a AFSCME Union strike, among other cities.
“Republic Teamsters are striking nationwide because this is a national fight,” McQuaid said. “Whether it’s Stockton, Boston, Illinois, Georgia, or Washington State, this company consistently takes its workforce for granted.”
For Republic Services waste collection services updates, visit republicservices.com or call 209-466-3604.
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow
This article originally appeared on The Record: ‘No other option’: Republic Services workers on strike; expect trash pickup delays
Reporting by Angelaydet Rocha, The Stockton Record / The Record
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