Dive Summary:

• Following a confidential meeting, Waste Management announced that they have reached a tentative agreement with Teamsters Local 117 on a new 6 year contract.  
• Teamsters members will vote to ratify the contract at 9am local time on Thursday.
• While garbage and recycling drivers will return to work on Thursday, it is expected to take a number of days to return to a normal schedule. 
• The agreement ends the eight day strike between the two groups.  Waste Management was facing significant fines from the city had the work stoppage continued.    See previous coverage here.
   

From the Waste Management release:

Following a confidential meeting between the parties’ lead negotiators, Waste Management and Teamsters Local 117 announced that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new 6-year contract. Teamster leadership and the bargaining committee will fully recommend that members approve the new contract at the ratification vote scheduled for 9:00am on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at the Union Hall in Tukwila.

Note: Garbage drivers will return to work in the morning and begin servicing their regular Thursday collection routes. However, due to the timing of the ratification vote, recycling and yard waste collection will be limited. Please see www.wmnorthwest.com for more information.

“We are extremely pleased that we reached an agreement on a new contract that delivers a solid compensation package to our hardworking and professional drivers”, said Robin Freedman, spokesperson for Waste Management. “Although regular drivers will be back on their routes tomorrow it will take time to fully recover from this unfortunate situation. We appreciate the community’s patience during this time.”

“Teamster drivers work hard and deserve fair compensation for the important work that they perform,” announced Tracey Thompson, Secretary Treasurer for Teamster Local 117. “We are pleased to have negotiated a contract that recognizes the professionalism of our members.”