Republic Services, Teamsters resume talks as frustration — and trash — pile up

Frustration continues to grow among officials and residents about the ongoing trash strike in Massachusetts as it’s been nearly three weeks since workers from Teamsters Local 25 first walked off the job, demanding better pay and labor protections from Republic Services.

Gov. Maura Healey has said this situation is now beyond a headache — it’s a public health concern, and it’s expensive for everyone involved.

Union members and Republic Services are expected to return to the negotiating table on Friday for the 13th time, and the hope is that a deal can be reached.

Massachusetts communities dealing with a weekslong trash strike are scrambling to find solutions, with a group of mayors and town administrators decrying Republic Services’ service.

This comes just one day after administrators and mayors from six separate towns that use Republic Services filed a joint complaint in Salem Superior Court, calling on the company to remove the “public health risk” that has resulted from their failure to adequately collect and dispose of trash and recycling in their respective communities despite Republic hiring replacement workers.

“The lack of attention and response from the CEO of Republic to our needs and communities is telling us a story about who they are,” exclaimed Beverly Mayor Michael Cahill, who said his city plans to take financial action against Republic Services.

A hearing on their joint complaint will take place Monday.

More than a dozen Massachusetts cities and towns are still scrambling to collect trash and recycling amid the ongoing Republic Services sanitation workers strike.

Republic Services has also filed their own suit against Teamsters Local 25, alleging violent behavior, including shouting slurs, slashing vehicle tires and possibly stealing a truck.

In the suit, Republic Services is asking for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop the union from what it’s calling “illegal acts.”

A hearing for this suit is also scheduled for Monday in Salem Superior Court.