By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — About 450 members of Teamsters Local 25 who work for the town’s trash contractor, Republic Services, voted to go on strike late Monday night as their contract was set to expire at midnight without having reached a settlement.
The strike went into effect Tuesday morning at the Peabody-based company. As a result, no trash or recycling pick-ups were made in town on the Tuesday routes.
But on Tuesday afternoon, the town was informed that trash and recycling pickups would resume on a one-day delay starting Wednesday, July 2 to cover the Tuesday route, and would include pick-ups on both the 4th of July holiday and Saturday, July 5 to make up for the lost day on Tuesday. (Ordinarily, a holiday would result in a one-day delay depending on which day of the week the holiday falls).
The updated notice to residents from the DPW requested all items to be curbside by 6:30 a.m. “The DPW will closely monitor Republic’s performance and residents are asked to call 978-357-5260 if their trash/recycling is not collected on the day after their regular collection day this week,” the update concluded.
The work stoppage was not unanticipated as the company had notified the town last week that it was a possibility that trash and recycling pickups could be impacted locally if a settlement was not reached. But Republic also assured the town that it was putting in place contingency plans to continue provide service to the town.
Communities impacted by the strike, in addition to North Reading, include Reading, Lynnfield, Wakefield, Peabody, Danvers, Topsfield, Saugus, Beverly, Swampscott, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Marblehead, Malden, Arlington, Watertown and Canton. None of these towns are a party to the contract negotiations between Republic Services and its unionized employees.
Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto told the Transcript that the town’s contract with Republic Services runs through June 30, 2026.
As a result of the strike, on Tuesday the Select Board posted a meeting notice that the board will be meeting today (July 3) at 3:30 p.m. This is a virtual-only meeting via Zoom with one executive session agenda item — to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation re: the town’s trash/recycling contract with Republic Services. The board will reconvene in open session and provide an update on the town’s trash and recycling collection before adjourning.
DPW issues Reverse 9-1-1 statement
On Tuesday morning, the following Reverse 911 message was sent to town residents to notify them of the strike: “This is a message from the North Reading Department of Public Works. The town’s contracted trash/recycling hauler, Republic Services, informed the town late last night that its employees have voted to go on strike. There will be no trash or recycling collection in North Reading today, Tuesday, July 1, and there have been similar service impacts in other communities served by Republic. Residents are asked to not put their trash or recycling out at this time. The town is in contact with Republic regarding temporary staffing plans and more information about the upcoming collection schedule will be communicated later today. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Similarly, on Monday evening, June 30 at 10 p.m., the town sent out an email blast and posted the following message on the home page of the town’s website (northreadingma.gov) and its social media: “The town’s contracted trash/recycling hauler, Republic Services, informed the town at 10:00 this evening that its employees will go on strike tonight and there will be no trash/recycling collection in North Reading tomorrow, Tuesday, July 1. Residents are asked to not put their trash/recycling out. The town is in contact with Republic and is informed that Republic has contingency staffing plans in place. More information about the upcoming collection schedule will be communicated tomorrow (Tuesday). Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Statement from Teamsters Local 25
Teamsters Local 25 also informed the public of its intention to strike if it was not satisfied with the bargaining process. The Teamsters issued a press release Sunday that stated: “Teamsters Local 25 is in contract negotiations with Republic Services, with the current agreement set to expire Monday, June 30. Despite Teamsters Local 25’s several attempts to negotiate in good faith with the company, Republic Services has refused to agree to accept basic community standards—including fair wages, strong health and welfare benefits, comparable working conditions and paid time off.
“More than 400 hardworking members of Teamsters Local 25 provide essential waste and recycling collection services to residents, businesses, and construction sites across many local communities.
“Without a fair agreement by June 30, these communities will face major service disruptions in waste collection—a completely avoidable outcome but only if Republic Services returns to the bargaining table and negotiates a fair agreement that includes good wages and benefits and a safe work environment. Teamsters Local 25 asks community members to contact this highly profitable waste collection giant and urge the company to respect its workers and the vital services they provide to 17 communities.
“Teamsters Local 25 is strike ready and is urging the community to stand together to protect vital public services, support working families, and ensure fairness and respect for the essential workers who serve our cities and towns every day.”
Statement from Republic Services
In response to the strike, Republic Services issued the following statement on Tuesday: “It is disappointing the union called a work stoppage rather than continue negotiating in good faith. We planned for the possibility of a work stoppage and have taken several steps to continue providing service.”
The Transcript will post updates to its social media pages and website (LocalHeadlineNews.com) as new information becomes available.