Photo: Emma Friedman/WBZ NewsRadio
CANTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Hundreds of sanitation workers around Massachusetts have been on the picket lines for nearly a week, but trash collection is set to start up again in a handful of affected communities.
Republic Services said it would deploy replacement crews on Monday to resume trash pickup, after residents were asked not to put out trash or recycling for pickup last week.
Community leaders sent a letter to the waste disposal company on Thursday, asking for better communication and pushing the waste collection company to find a resolution to end the strike.
Those who co-signed the letter include leaders from Canton, Malden, Peabody, Gloucester, Watertown, Beverly, Danvers, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Swampscott, and Wakefield.
“We write to you as municipal leaders from across the region and as customers of Republic Services, regarding the ongoing work stoppage caused by stalled union negotiations,” wrote Canton Town Administrator Charles E. Doody. “Reliable curbside waste and recycling collection is an essential public service, and this disruption has had significant ripple effects throughout our communities.”
Community leaders said they “fully respect the collective bargaining process,” but are urging both sides to return to the negotiating table, according to the letter.
The sanitation workers on strike are represented by Teamsters 25. The union said Republic Services has refused to give workers a fair deal, and that workers are demanding higher wages, better benefits and stronger labor protections.
Republic Services said it provides workers with competitive wages, an “industry-leading” healthcare plan, a pension plan and a “generous” time-off and holiday plan.
One of the communities where replacement crews are headed is Canton. Peter, a Canton resident, said it’s about time.
“I live in a condo community and [the trash is ] just all piled up now,” he said.
Another Canton resident, Nick, said he hasn’t seen any trash pile up and is on the side of the striking workers.
“I’m always in support of any community activism to stand up for what’s right, of course,” he said.
Other local organizations have come out in support of the strike, including the Massachusetts Nurses Association and the Peabody Firefighters Union.
WBZ's Emma Friedman (@EmmaFriedmanWBZ) reports.