Republic Services to resume trash collection in WA as Teamsters cease picketing

KENT, Wash. — Republic Services announced it will resume all collection services for residential customers in King and Snohomish counties starting Monday, July 21.

The company stated that Teamsters from Boston and other areas have ceased picketing at Seattle-area locations during their strike, allowing drivers to return to work.

LEARN MORE | Trash pickup disrupted in western Washington by Teamsters strike

“We appreciate the community’s patience as we work hard to get caught up with needed recycling and waste collection,” Republic Services said in a statement

The lack of garbage pickup followed a labor strike and nationwide work stoppage against Republic Services by members of Teamsters Locals 252 in Lacey and 25 in Boston.

Trash collectors and other workers with Republic Services went on strike in Thurston County on Wednesday, vowing to stay off the job until they received better pay, benefits, and working conditions.

While the main strike started in Lacey, it led to a ripple effect of work stoppages in cities like Kent, Bellevue, Renton, and Edmonds in King and Snohomish counties.

RELATED | Teamsters say non-union workers running Kent trash drop-offs amid garbage strike

Amid the strike, multiple Washington cities held independent collection venues, with residents hauling their own garbage.

In its announcement, Republic did not give any details on what led to the resumption of service, whether an agreement had been reached, or if picketing was continuing in other states.

Republic stated its appreciation of the community’s patience as it catches up with collection, and said customers will be served on their normal collection day and should leave out all containers.