Union workers picketing on July 4 as Republic Services strike continues
REVERE TONIGHT. PETER. AND ERICA. YEAH, YOU CAN SEE THE WORKERS BEHIND ME RIGHT NOW. THEY’RE WALKING THE PICKET LINE RIGHT NOW HERE IN REVERE AND OTHER LOCATIONS ACROSS THE NORTH SHORE IN GREATER BOSTON. AND WHILE SOME WORKERS ARE BEING BROUGHT IN THE TRASH IN SOME COMMUNITIES IS NOT GETTING PICKED UP. IT’S GOING TO BE A HORROR SHOW AND NOTHING IS GOING TO BE PICKED UP. THIS WEEK. IT’S WEDNESDAY. MALDEN RESIDENTS WORRIED. NOW THE TRASH WON’T BE PICKED UP UNTIL MONDAY AT THE EARLIEST. IT’S A HOLIDAY WEEKEND, SO CHANCES ARE THEY’LL BE COOKOUTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. YOU’D BE SURPRISED HOW MUCH WASTE ONE COUPLE CAN PRODUCE. IMAGINE A FAMILY. IT’S JUST THE HEAT, YOU KNOW. IF THEY DON’T SETTLE THIS PRETTY SOON, IT’S GOING TO SMELL THE HIGH HEAVEN TRASH SITTING OUT BECAUSE PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS ARE REFUSING TO PICK IT UP UNTIL THEY GET MORE MONEY AND BETTER BENEFITS FROM THE COMPANY. WAGE INCREASES, PENSION INCREASES, HEALTH CARE PLAN, MORE TIME OFF. JUST TRYING TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH THE OTHER COMPANIES THAT ARE RECEIVING MORE THAN US. VINCENT CLERICO AND OTHERS ARE PICKETING IN REVERE TODAY. YESTERDAY, REVERE POLICE RECEIVED A REPORT FROM A PUBLIC SAYING STRIKING WORKERS KEYED THREE TRUCKS AND SLASHED TIRES HERE. SINCE THEN, IT’S BEEN QUIET. NO ACTIVITY, NO TRUCKS COMING AND GOING. TODAY THEY’RE ALL UP IN PEABODY. PEABODY WAS CONTENTIOUS TODAY AS TEMPORARY OUT OF TOWN WORKERS WERE BROUGHT IN TO PICK UP THE TRASH. THE PICKETERS WOULDN’T LET THEM IN OR LEAVE. NOW THE TRASH CONTINUES TO SIT. IT IMPACTS HEALTH AND THE LIKE THAT THEY SHOULD WORK WHILE THEY’RE UNDER NEGOTIATION IN GOOD FAITH. AND A LIVE LOOK BACK HERE AT THE PICKET LINE IN REVERE. WORKERS HERE TELL US THAT NEGOTIATIONS TOOK PLACE TODAY. THEY’RE HOPING THINGS GO IN THEIR FAVOR AND THAT THERE IS A DEAL SOON. BUT AT THIS HOUR, STILL NO DEAL HAS BEEN REACHED BETWEEN REPUBLIC SERVICES AND THE TEAMSTERS LOCAL 25. WE’RE LIVE HERE I
Union workers picketing on July 4 as Republic Services strike continues
Union officials representing more than 450 local workers are organizing picket lines on July 4, the fourth day of their strike against Republic Services. Members of Teamsters Local 25 are striking for higher wages, better benefits and stronger labor protections. They said Republic has refused to pay the same rates negotiated by Local 25 members at two competing companies in the area. “We’re not looking for Republic to pay more than others. We just want them to meet the standards we’ve already established in Greater Boston,” said Thomas G. Mari, President of Local 25.Republic Services said it was planning to raise wages in the new collective bargaining agreement, and that it remains committed to “good-faith negotiations for a fair agreement” with the Teamsters.The strike is becoming increasingly contentious, with Republic Services accusing striking workers of slashing tires and harassing replacement drivers. The union has not responded to the allegations.Service disruptions are affecting 20 communities that rely on Republic Services.The union told affected customers served by Republic Services that, “if your rubbish is piling up on the Fourth of July,” the company, not the union, is responsible for it. Planned picket lines for July 4 will be located in Peabody, Revere, Holbrook, Roxbury and Quincy, the union said:277 Newbury St, Peabody109 Newbury St, Peabody300 Forest St, Peabody5 Lakeland Park Dr, Peabody320A Charger St, Revere300 Centre St, Holbrook66 Norfolk Ave, Roxbury22 Nightingale Ave, QuincyIn Marblehead, residents have been advised to either pull their trash back in or bring it to the dump for free. Canton residents have been informed that trash pick-up will resume on Monday. Many residents feel caught in the middle of the dispute.”Not sure what we’re gonna do with trash, wait until it’s over,” one resident said. “I think they should get paid fairly, but it’s hot, so it’s gonna smell really bad if we don’t get trash picked up soon.”Malden advised residents that there would be no trash or recycling pickup in the city for the rest of this week.”Nothing is going to be picked up this week, it’s Wednesday,” Malden resident Julio Salado said. “You’d be surprised how much waste a couple can produce, imagine a family.”Communities that could be impacted by the strike include Peabody, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Wakefield, Marblehead, Malden, Topsfield, Saugus, Beverly, Danvers, North Reading, Reading, Lynnfield, Swampscott, Arlington, Watertown and Canton.
Union officials representing more than 450 local workers are organizing picket lines on July 4, the fourth day of their strike against Republic Services.
Members of Teamsters Local 25 are striking for higher wages, better benefits and stronger labor protections. They said Republic has refused to pay the same rates negotiated by Local 25 members at two competing companies in the area.
“We’re not looking for Republic to pay more than others. We just want them to meet the standards we’ve already established in Greater Boston,” said Thomas G. Mari, President of Local 25.
Republic Services said it was planning to raise wages in the new collective bargaining agreement, and that it remains committed to “good-faith negotiations for a fair agreement” with the Teamsters.
The strike is becoming increasingly contentious, with Republic Services accusing striking workers of slashing tires and harassing replacement drivers. The union has not responded to the allegations.
Service disruptions are affecting 20 communities that rely on Republic Services.
The union told affected customers served by Republic Services that, “if your rubbish is piling up on the Fourth of July,” the company, not the union, is responsible for it.
Planned picket lines for July 4 will be located in Peabody, Revere, Holbrook, Roxbury and Quincy, the union said:
- 277 Newbury St, Peabody
- 109 Newbury St, Peabody
- 300 Forest St, Peabody
- 5 Lakeland Park Dr, Peabody
- 320A Charger St, Revere
- 300 Centre St, Holbrook
- 66 Norfolk Ave, Roxbury
- 22 Nightingale Ave, Quincy
In Marblehead, residents have been advised to either pull their trash back in or bring it to the dump for free. Canton residents have been informed that trash pick-up will resume on Monday. Many residents feel caught in the middle of the dispute.
“Not sure what we’re gonna do with trash, wait until it’s over,” one resident said. “I think they should get paid fairly, but it’s hot, so it’s gonna smell really bad if we don’t get trash picked up soon.”
Malden advised residents that there would be no trash or recycling pickup in the city for the rest of this week.
“Nothing is going to be picked up this week, it’s Wednesday,” Malden resident Julio Salado said. “You’d be surprised how much waste a couple can produce, imagine a family.”
Communities that could be impacted by the strike include Peabody, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Wakefield, Marblehead, Malden, Topsfield, Saugus, Beverly, Danvers, North Reading, Reading, Lynnfield, Swampscott, Arlington, Watertown and Canton.