Big compensation increases, enhanced benefits for 350 Teamsters at three Locals
(TUKWILA, WA) – Teamsters in the solid waste industry at three Puget Sound-area Local Unions voted overwhelmingly on Saturday, January 31, to ratify a new 5-year master agreement with Republic Services. The agreement secures strong wage and pension increases, improved benefits, with no out-of-pocket increases to workers’ medical costs for the duration of the contract. The contractual gains apply not just to economics, but also address contract essentials such as picket line language and excessive overtime, and most importantly, the contract remedies the exploitation of the employees at the 3rd & Lander Recycle Center by forcing the Company to bring the wage and benefit package up to match other Republic workers represented under this agreement.
The coalition of Locals 38, 117, and 174—representing approximately 350 Teamsters—won tremendous gains for workers across all classifications, including transport drivers, collection drivers, container and toter delivery drivers, bailer mechanics, and heavy equipment operators.
“This incredibly strong contract is the direct result of solidarity in action for a huge group of Teamsters standing together across all three Local Unions,” said Teamsters Joint Council 28 President Rick Hicks. “When our union rank & file committee members realized that several of their coworkers working at the Recycle Center were not valued by the Company the same as they are, these members made sure the Company understood how serious this was. The committee demanded their coworkers be treated with respect by correcting the pay and benefit inequities immediately. This selfless act is one of the greatest displays of Union Solidarity I have ever witnessed. I am so proud to have been part of these negotiations, witnessing what can be accomplished when we all stand together!”
“This is a huge win for Teamsters in the solid waste industry,” said Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 117 and one of the lead negotiators for the coalition. “These workers perform dangerous, physically demanding work to haul away waste and keep our communities clean. This contract secures fair pay and benefits that go a long way toward recognizing the value of their labor.”
The Union’s negotiation team achieved a number of enhanced benefits in the contract: an additional week of vacation for senior employees, improved holidays, increased boot allowance, expanded bereavement leave, and stronger safety protections. Republic will also fund a new legal services benefit for all bargaining unit employees.
“The incredible gains in this agreement show we are stronger when we bargain together,” said Local 38 Secretary-Treasurer Samantha Kantak, another leader at the bargaining table. “We took the strongest language in the contracts from our three Locals and merged it into one powerful master agreement that will improve the lives of hundreds of Teamster families.”
For Shop Steward Troy McIntyre, this was his first experience at the bargaining table. “I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I can see now how powerful we are when all the Locals support each other, and nobody is left behind. This contract is a big win for all of us.”
While all workers secured strong compensation gains, the agreement is particularly transformative for heavy equipment operators at Republic’s 3rd and Lander transfer and recycle station.
“I feel so proud to be a Teamster,” said DeShawn Carter, a Shop Steward and 20-year member who served on the bargaining committee. “At 3rd and Lander, we always felt disrespected. But now we’re all under one contract that lifts everybody. We stood together and they had to give us what we want and what we deserve.”