The last few weeks, labor news has been dominated by the Republic Services / Allied Waste lockout of union employees in Evansville, Indiana. Now, labor troubles between Waste Management and the Teamsters Local 117 in Puget Sound appear likely.
The two sides have been negotiating a new labor agreement for some time. Now, Waste Management has put what it is calling a final and best offer on the table. It includes a 4 percent raise each year for the next six years and is part of a total compensation package worth, on average, about $100,000 for each worker.
The Teamsters remain unsatisfied. They clam that the workers, who handle recycling and food and yard waste collection, are paid significantly less than waste haulers in the region. They want to close the gap. The union also says that the workers have unanimously authorized a strike if an agreement can not be reached.
Waste Management is now asking union leaders to allow workers to vote on the latest offer this weekend. To sweeten the deal, they say that if contract is ratified, each worker will be given a $2,000 bonus.
In the event of a strike, Waste Management is prepared to bring in replacement workers.
"A few days ago we saw the union tweet that they're preparing for a strike, so of course when we see that, we want to ensure that we have a contingency plan in place because we want to deliver services to the communities," Waste Management's Robin Freedman told Komo News.
