Dive Brief:
- Teamsters who attended the Teamsters Hispanic Caucus Convention in Denver, CO showed up at a Colorado Rockies sporting event to tell local residents about the alleged illegal actions of Republic Services.
- According to the Teamsters, Republic Services -- touted as the second-largest a waste services provider in the country -- violates workers' rights nationwide.
- During the event, Rockies fans were alerted to what the Teamsters cite as the “worst landfill fire in history.” The organization recounted the details of the underground blaze as the fire inches closer to nuclear waste buried at Republic Services’ site at the West Lake landfill in Bridgeton, MO. Republic Services operates two landfills in the Denver area and is a hauler in the state.
Dive Insight:
In August of 2014, 14 lawsuits were filed against Republic Services, the owners of the Bridgeton, MO site. The lawsuit, brought about by residents who live near the landfill, alleges a foul odor is originating from the site, leading to health and environmental risks to those living in the area.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million people in the US and Canada and is active in organizing its members to speak out on the issues that affect them. On April 29, 2014, the group protested Republic Services at the Waste Expo Convention.
The Teamsters have a recent history of locking horns with the company. In June 2014, Teamsters in Mobile, AL conducted a mock protest against Republic Services in response to changes to its employee health insurance policy. In April of 2013, Teamsters in McDonough, GA joined members on strike picketing against Republic Services’ alleged violations of federal labor law.
