SALEM — A hearing was held this afternoon in Salem Superior Court as communities served by trash company Republic Services sought a preliminary injunction to require the company to immediately do the work it is contracted to do.
Beverly, Malden, Peabody, Gloucester, Danvers and Canton have all signed on to the complaint, with health directors from each of the six municipalities highlighting how residents and businesses are dealing with rats in areas of piled-up trash, strong odors, and overflowing dumpsters.
“The accumulation of trash and recycling throughout the municipalities has resulted in nuisances and sources of filth and causes of sicknesses,” the complaint states, “which may be injurious to the public health.
“Issuing a preliminary injunction serves the public interest,” it adds, “because it is necessary to prevent these conditions that have directly resulted from the defendant’s failure to provide full and regular weekly trash collection within the municipalities from further harming the public.”
Meanwhile, more than 400 members of Teamsters Local 25 remain on strike for a third week, fighting for fairness and equity. The workers are seeking the same fair wages, quality affordable health care, and improved working conditions provided by other union trash companies in Greater Boston.
Following a disappointing day of negotiations on Friday, during which Republic Services reportedly took a five hour break, Teamsters Local 25 filed an Unfair Practice Charge against the company.
Here is the Teamsters’ statement:
“Following another wasted bargaining session where Republic took a 5-hour caucus and then returned without any increase in its wage proposal and refused to budge from its position not to agree to the more comprehensive Teamsters Health Insurance Plan, Tom Mari, President of Teamsters Local Union No. 25 stated, ‘This continues Republic’s policy of surface bargaining. They’re going through the motion with no intent to reach an agreement and that’s why we filed an Unfair Practice Charge against the company with the National Labor Relations Board.’
“‘At 10:00 a.m. this morning we offered a complete package that would still leave Republic almost $5 behind Capitol in the first year of the contract because we offered to delay the implementation of the Teamsters Health Insurance for one year and would permit employees who aren’t covered by the company’s plan to opt out of ours. You would think that offer, with the possibility of a 5-year contract, would force the company to give us a significant counter proposal. Instead, after 5 hours of waiting, the company gave us NOTHING! They refused to increase their wage offer, refused the Teamster health insurance, still insisted on using cameras in the cabs to discipline drivers, refused to allow drivers to honor picket lines and continued to threaten punishment for employees for picket line activities,’ Mari said.
“Local 25’s negotiating committee refused to be intimidated by Republic’s unlawful behavior. Instead, the committee developed another offer that, if accepted by Republic, would be presented to the membership Friday evening. Mari said, ‘I promised the company that we would recommend its acceptance, and the employees would return to work on Saturday, but, once again, Republic refused to negotiate.” Mari concluded, “Obviously, we have no choice but to continue our strike until Republic comes to its senses.’ Today’s session ended without any agreement on future dates for negotiations.
“Teamster members remain on strike at several Republic locations throughout the United States as well as thousands of Teamsters members continue to honor extended picket lines in many states.
Following is a statement from Republic Services:
“We are 18 days into the Teamsters-led strike, and a stark contrast has emerged: Republic Services is focused on facts and reaching an agreement that provides our employees with market-leading pay and benefits, while Teamsters leadership is focused on disinformation and disruption.
“Negotiations ended earlier than we wanted today, and the meeting revealed the Teamsters’ true priorities – their work stoppage isn’t about our Boston employees’ welfare. It’s about demands that benefit the union and a desire to cause chaos and conflict.
“While Republic Services has offered to:
• Pay industry-leading wages
• Maintain our zero-premium healthcare plan with no deductible
• Provide industry-leading retirement contributions
“The Teamsters have:
• Rejected strong proposals without allowing members to review or vote
• Demanded the ability to force Boston employees to strike over disputes in other states, which would harm our communities
• Engaged in dangerous and unlawful intimidation tactics
• Vandalized equipment and physically assaulted our employees
“Yet, during today’s meeting, Local 25 President Tom Mari claimed that ‘we are stonewalling them.’ This could not be further from the truth. Our proposal to increase wages 16% immediately, and 43% over the life of the contract is far from ‘stonewalling.’
The Teamsters’ pattern of criminal behavior — including truck theft, tire slashing, spraying chemicals on drivers and hate speech — demonstrates the union’s preference for chaos over compromise. The Teamsters have the audacity to demand – as one of their top priorities – amnesty for their threats, violence and criminal activity during this work stoppage. We believe everyone – even the Teamsters – should be held accountable for their actions.
“Republic Services remains committed to our employees and the communities we serve. We want to welcome our team back to work with the industry-leading pay and benefits they deserve. The Teamsters appear willing to sacrifice employee paychecks and community needs to advance their own agenda rather than supporting the employees they claim to support.
“No negotiating sessions are scheduled at this time.
“We continue working hard to provide service. Customers seeking service updates can visit www.republicservices.com/BostonUpdates.”