Massachusetts – A trash collectors’ strike is causing widespread disruption across 14 cities and towns in Massachusetts, as more than 400 workers from Republic Services walked off the job early Tuesday morning.
The workers, represented by Teamsters Local 25, are demanding better pay and benefits.
Affected Communities
The strike is impacting garbage collection services in the following cities and towns:
- Beverly
- Canton
- Danvers
- Gloucester
- Ipswich
- Lynnfield
- Malden
- Manchester-By-The-Sea
- Marblehead
- North Reading
- Peabody
- Swampscott
- Wakefield
- Watertown
As of Tuesday, Marblehead, Watertown, and Canton residents were notified that trash and recycling collection would be suspended due to the strike. Canton, however, informed its residents that replacement workers would begin collecting trash by next Monday, nearly a week from the strike’s start.
Disruption and Company Response
The strike has led to significant frustration, with towns scrambling to manage the situation. Canton’s Town Administrator, Charles Doody, acknowledged the inconvenience and urged patience as Republic Services works to restore the collection services.
Republic Services has issued a statement expressing disappointment over the work stoppage, stating that it planned for the possibility of a strike and has taken steps to continue service.
They have secured employees from other areas and prioritized routes to try to minimize disruption.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” Republic Services said, adding that many customers may experience modified service schedules due to the strike. The company also mentioned that they are hopeful for a resolution soon.
Potential for Additional Strikes
The union warned that more Teamsters across the country might join the strike soon due to similar contract disputes with Republic Services.
Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien called out the company’s management in a statement, attributing the issue to “white-collar criminals” and stating that Republic workers “will finish the fight” for better respect and conditions.
Read Also: Trump-Deployed National Guard in L.A. May Be Redirected to Wildfire Response
Business Impact
For many businesses, the strike has proven to be a logistical nightmare. Nick Dixon, the culinary director for Broadway Restaurant Group, called the situation a “complete mess,” noting that he had to hire a third-party service when Republic Services failed to show up for his restaurant. “Trash is like a huge part of every single business, especially the restaurant business, and it’s just a disaster,” Dixon said.
In Watertown, residents struggled with overflowing trash bins on sidewalks, with some even trying to bring their waste to a local transfer station, only to find it closed due to the strike.
“Its a necessity, it’s not just we’re putting out trash just to put it out,” said Walter Morris, a Watertown resident who noticed his dogs weren’t barking on Tuesday morning because there were no trash trucks coming by.
Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences regarding this issue in the comments below. For more updates and information on similar stories, visit ridgecrestpact.org.
