Massachusetts trash strike grows hotter, stinkier
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Republic Services trash and recycling collectors have been on strike since July 1 in several Massachusetts towns. Trash is piling up and negotiations have stalled after failed talks with federal mediators.
Why it matters: It's starting to stink real bad. Overflowing dumpsters are exacerbating the region's rodent problem during an atypically hot and humid summer.
- Restaurants like The Avenue Bar in Allston report rats "eating well" from the mounting food waste.
Driving the news: Over 400 members of Teamsters Local 25 are striking across 14 communities.
- Brookline has around 160 commercial customers that use Republic Services. Newton has even started a temporary trash drop-off program for residents and businesses.
Zoom in: The Boston City Council unanimously passed a resolution in solidarity with the union and called the strike a public health emergency.
- Though the city doesn't use Republic Services, plenty of private dumpsters are served by the company. Apartment complexes, restaurants and back alleys are starting to stink up the city.
- Lawsuits are also piling up, with irate clients like apartment building managers filing suits accusing Republic of breach-of-contract for not picking up the garbage.
- Towns that contract with Republic, like Danvers, Canton, Beverly, Malden, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Peabody, are threatening to seek compensation from Republic.
Follow the money: In their negotiations, Republic offered a 43% wage increase over five years, but the union is sticking to demands for the company to match competitor Capitol Waste Services' higher pay level.