October 8, 2019
Local 174 members demonstrate tremendous solidarity for three days in show of support for striking Boston Teamsters
At 3:00 A.M. Thursday morning, a small group of Teamsters on strike at Republic Services from Local 25 in Boston, MA showed up in front of several Puget Sound-area Republic Services garbage facilities armed with picket signs, warm jackets, and courage. In groups of two – and in some cases, just one – the Boston Teamsters began patrolling back and forth across the Republic Services facilities’ driveways. And as each Local 174 member arrived for their work shift, one by one they saw the picket line and made the decision to turn around, refusing to cross or work behind the picket line.
Teamsters Local 25 members have been on strike against Republic Services in Boston for 42 days, as they fight for a fair contract with affordable healthcare, retirement, and wages that approach parity with other garbage drivers in their area. The decision to come to Seattle was made in order to bring their fight to the home of Republic Services’ largest shareholder, Bill Gates, via extended picket lines. They were asking for solidarity from the members of Teamsters Local 174 at Republic Services – and they found it.
Throughout the day and night on Thursday, Local 25 members held down lonely one or two-man picket lines at Republic Services facilities in Kent, Bellevue, and Lynnwood. On Friday, another picket was added at a facility in Seattle. The picketing continued right up until the Boston workers headed to the airport to return to home Saturday. In addition to Local 174, the extended picket lines also affected Teamster members of Locals 38, 117, and 763.
The picket lines were held 24 hours a day by the Boston workers, and members of Teamsters Local 174 honored them. Because of this strong act of solidarity, trash piled up around King County as garbage truck drivers honored their brothers from Boston’s struggle. A strong message was sent to Republic Services management and Republic Services ownership: Teamsters across the country stand together, and a fight with one Teamster Local Union can quickly become a fight thousands of miles away.
“We are incredibly proud of our members for showing such strong solidarity with their brothers in Boston,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “Our members sacrificed their paycheck for several days without a second thought, because Local 174 never leaves a brother or sister behind. We also must salute the courage of these Boston Teamsters, who held picket lines by themselves day and night without a break. That shows a true commitment to the fight, and it was our great pleasure to support our Union brothers to help them achieve their goals.”
To the members of Local 174, supporting their Boston coworkers was never a question. “I will never cross a picket line, ever,” said Republic Services driver Ron Sheppard, who remained in solidarity the entire time the Local 25 members extended their picket lines. “I was proud to support my brothers in Boston, because I know if I ever need the same out of them, they will support us just like we supported them. We are all Teamsters, which means we’re all in this together.”
The strike against Republic Services continues in Boston today.
Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 8,100 working men and women in the Seattle area. “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.