LYNNWOOD—As Teamsters union workers continue to strike against Republic Services waste disposal, trash collection services have been suspended in portions of King and Snohomish Counties leading to buildups in waste in some cities.
Over 2,000 Republic Teamsters have joined the strike since July 1 demanding higher wages, improved healthcare, and other benefits.
“[We’re fighting for] wages that allow our members to just have a higher quality of life,” Matt McQuaid, a spokesperson for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, told the Lynnwood Times. “We just want a better healthcare package and be paid wages that are more consistent with the area’s standards.”
Teamsters members in Lacey, Washington, where the strike is currently taking place in Western Washington, make about 13% less than the industry average for other trash hauling companies according to McQuaid.
Employment information websites such as Indeed and Glassdoor state garbage collector positions at Republic Services begin at $19 an hour on average.
Republic Services — the second-largest sanitation company in North America — received a total revenue of $16 billion in 2024, a nearly six percent increase over the year prior. The firm also returned $1.18 billion to shareholders and close to $13 million to its CEO, the union said.
There are five Teamsters strikes taking place all over the country as of July 18. The two strikes that effect Washington State are Local 25 and Local 252. Teamsters’ union workers from Boston have also flown into Washington to help add visibility to the picket lines.
Though the strike is happening in Lacey, the union extended its picket lines to other Republic Services facilities – including Lynnwood and Edmonds.
“Workers of other facilities who are members of different Teamsters locals are not on strike themselves but because there is a picket line up at their jobs, and Teamsters don’t cross picket lines, they are not reporting to work,” said McQuaid.
These other Republic Services Facilities include Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Everett, and Arlington, where trash collection services have been nonexistent for nearly a month.
As of Friday, July 18, the Republic Services website has not been updated from its initial service disruption announcement which reads:
“Collection services are suspended today due to an out-of-market labor disruption that has caused a work stoppage at Republic Services’ operations in King County and Snohomish County. As with inclement weather service delays, Republic Services will collect double garbage, recycling, and organic materials on your next regularly scheduled service day at no additional charge. We sincerely appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Negotiations between Republic and Teamsters began in Boston Friday, facilitated by a federal mediary. For Lacey workers the negotiation date was set for July 30. Local union workers reached out to meet sooner but have not yet heard back from Republic Services.
Teamsters union workers have previously filed an unfair labor practice lawsuit against Republic Services for violating the Wagner Act. Those charges include unlawfully terminating an employee in Boston for union activity.
According to Republic Services, most of the strikers are not Republic Service employees nor residents of the Seattle metro area. They are focused on preventing service, including blocking collection and disposal facilities, as well as picketing at drop-ff locations, causing delay for residents utilizing this option.
“Most of these picketers are not Republic Services employees, do not live or work in the Seattle area, and some aren’t even in the waste industry. They have been deployed by the Teamsters in Boston with one goal: disrupt service. Our employees want to work, but the Teamsters are threatening them with fines and loss of representation and benefits if they cross the picket line,” a Republic Services spokesperson told the Lynnwood Times. “We empathize with the community and ask for their patience during this Teamsters-led work stoppage. We want nothing more than to welcome our employees back to work.”
Republic Services said it is prioritizing waste collection for critical customers, such as hospitals and care facilities, servicing additional customers as available workforce allows. The waste management company plans to bring in additional Republic Services employees from other areas to help provide service.
Though Republic Services opened four new drop-off locations Friday, with more opening tomorrow, there is currently no drop-off location in the South Snohomish County area. Republic Services suggests residents living in this area double-bag their waste and leave it at the curb until it can resume a regular collection schedule.
Residents have now missed three weeks of garbage pickup even after paying their normal rate. Republic Services has not yet committed to offering refunds.
Based on the Washington Utility and Transportation Commission’s policies Republic is required to offer alternative drop-off locations, pickups, or refunds once a second trash day is missed.
Service information for each city can be found here: www.republicservices.com/washington, though as of Friday, July 18, the link appears to be broken.
Lynnwood residents can receive updates to local garbage collect services by visiting: https://www.republicservices.com/municipality/lynnwood-wa
Author: Kienan Briscoe
One Response
People can also do better separating their trash.thinga can go to good well, giving g things away for free, yard waste , recycle. Breaking g thi gs down leaves more room also