A NATIONWIDE SANITATION STRIKE is stopping trash collection for some residents in the Bay Area.
Workers at some Republic Services facilities in the Bay Area are refusing to cross a picket line in solidarity with workers striking for better pay, benefits and labor protections.
Workers with the union Teamsters Local 439 launched their strike Tuesday at the Forward Landfill in Manteca and said the stoppage could disrupt collections for “tens of thousands” of Stockton-area residents, the union said in a statement.
The strike comes days after Republic Services workers in Boston, near Chicago and near Atlanta went on strike.
Republic Services said they anticipate service delays for some customers in the Bay Area. The company noted that the Manteca landfill is one of only four locations in North America where the union has called a work stoppage.
“We are making adjustments to our operations to ensure our ability to continue providing service during this situation. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this situation may cause,” the company said in a statement.
Republic Services said, “We remain ready to reach fair agreements in each of these locations that benefit our employees and our customers.”
For some in West Contra Costa County, Supervisor John Gioia said garbage collection wouldn’t be happening Tuesday.
“We are advised that this is due to drivers not crossing a picket line which was set up to support workers who are on strike at a Republic owned Landfill near Stockton,” Gioia wrote Tuesday morning on social media.
Republic Services serves the cities of Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, Hercules and unincorporated areas of the county, according to the company’s website. The stoppage does not impact trash collection in El Cerrito or Kensington.
Collection could start back up again Thursday, Gioia said on social media.
Disruptions in Union City, Newark and Fremont to garbage, recycling and compost collection were also happening, the cities said in separate statements. Services are expected to start up again in one to two days.
Half Moon Bay residents were also experiencing delays, the city said in a statement.
A pre-recorded message at its Richmond facility Tuesday morning said delays were due to “unforeseen labor circumstances.”
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