Garbage trucks were seen in the neighborhood early this morning, but Waste Management workers went on strike mid-morning, according to The Seattle Times.
Union garbage haulers went out on strike at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, culminating a three-week standoff with their employer, Waste Management, which provides collection services to about 1 million customers in King and Snohomish Counties.
Members of Teamsters Local 174 were told to return their trucks to their bases and set up picket lines outside Waste Management facilities, said spokesman Michael Gonzales.
“We’re telling our members to turn their trucks back,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales said the company has violated federal labor law, including bargaining in bad faith, coercing employees, threatening to retaliate against workers and unilaterally changing working conditions. The Teamsters have been working without a contract since April 1.
Read the full Times story here.
Waste Management’s contract covers the northwest and south sections of Seattle.
Seattle Public Utilities just issued this press release:
Those customers whose collections are missed today are asked to put all of their garbage and yard waste out next week on their regular collection day.
The City’s recycling services are covered by a different contract, and should not be affected by the strike. All customers are asked to keep their recycling out.
Approximately 18,000 residential customers could be affected by the strike action today in the following approximate areas:
– N. 105th St to N. 85th St, W. of SR-99
Delridge Way SW to Beacon Ave. S, from S. Royal Brougham to SW Roxbury St.
View a detailed map of the affected area.
