Dive Brief:

• 50 picketing Unity Disposal and Recycling workers were visited by State Senator Victor Ramirez and Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez; the two lawmakers also spoke with COO Jerald Boyd, who maintained that the workers were free to work and had not been fired.
• The company had issued flyers to the workers which stated that their absence from work was insubordination and would be considered their immediate resignation; after the lawmakers left, another flyer was handed out that welcomed the workers back to the job.
• ​The workers rejected the offer, stating that their concerns were not addressed; workers want union representation to negotiate affordable healthcare and higher wages.

Dive Insight:

Executives decided not to speak with lawmakers without a lawyer present, so the meeting was cut short. The firing of the workers could have some legal issues as the action may not have been legal. The workers are currently still on strike and have been replaced by temp workers.