SEATTLE - Yard waste collection and recycling services in parts of King and Snohomish counties could be affected as early as next week by a looming showdown between Waste Management and some of its unionized drivers.
The company says it made its "last, best and final offer" last week to 152 union employees in Teamsters Local 117 who handle recycling and food and yard waste collection throughout Puget Sound.
But the Teamsters refused to vote on the proposed labor contract Saturday, saying it is not worth a vote. The union's refusal is the latest development after five months of negotiations between Waste Management and the Teamsters that have grown increasingly tense.
Waste Management's final offer includes a 4 percent raise each year for the next six years - part of a total compensation package worth, on average, about $100,000 for each worker. The company has also sweetened the pot, saying if the contract is ratified in the coming days, a $2,000 bonus for each worker will be included.
The Teamsters submitted a counterproposal, but Waste Management officials have refused to consider it.
"We responded to this last best and final. Gave them an offer and they are refusing to engage in bargaining. They are acting unlawfully," says Tracey Thompson of Teamsters Local 117.
The union has authorized a strike, but says its drivers will report to work on Monday unless they are locked out. They tell KOMO News they believe there is a good chance of that happening if a contract is not reached. The drivers believe the company already has replacement drivers already standing by.
Waste Management officials admit they have contingency plans.
"If there is a labor disruption we will start to trigger parts of our contingency plan," Robin Freedman of Waste Management said in an earlier interview.
One of the key sticking points in the negotiations is the pay gap between recycling drivers and regular garbage truck operators. The union says the difference can be as much as $6 an hour.
"It makes us feel bad," says driver Chuck Davis. "You know, we do the same route. We drive the same trucks. We just want a fair contract."
Another driver, Tim Munz, says the pay hike figures supplied by Waste Management make the offer look better than it is.
"The numbers look so good," he says. "They make it look like we make so much money, and you know we do, we do make good money. But we need to get paid for what we do."
And that, according to the union, is putting their lives on the line.
"We've had four recycle members killed on the job in the last seven years. It is an incredibly dangerous job," says Thompson.
And that's one reason the drivers say they are standing firm.
Says driver Monica Zebley: "I am not going to settle for what they want to offer me. I think I deserve more. I think these guys deserve more."
The company says it made its "last, best and final offer" last week to 152 union employees in Teamsters Local 117 who handle recycling and food and yard waste collection throughout Puget Sound.
But the Teamsters refused to vote on the proposed labor contract Saturday, saying it is not worth a vote. The union's refusal is the latest development after five months of negotiations between Waste Management and the Teamsters that have grown increasingly tense.
Waste Management's final offer includes a 4 percent raise each year for the next six years - part of a total compensation package worth, on average, about $100,000 for each worker. The company has also sweetened the pot, saying if the contract is ratified in the coming days, a $2,000 bonus for each worker will be included.
The Teamsters submitted a counterproposal, but Waste Management officials have refused to consider it.
"We responded to this last best and final. Gave them an offer and they are refusing to engage in bargaining. They are acting unlawfully," says Tracey Thompson of Teamsters Local 117.
The union has authorized a strike, but says its drivers will report to work on Monday unless they are locked out. They tell KOMO News they believe there is a good chance of that happening if a contract is not reached. The drivers believe the company already has replacement drivers already standing by.
Waste Management officials admit they have contingency plans.
"If there is a labor disruption we will start to trigger parts of our contingency plan," Robin Freedman of Waste Management said in an earlier interview.
One of the key sticking points in the negotiations is the pay gap between recycling drivers and regular garbage truck operators. The union says the difference can be as much as $6 an hour.
"It makes us feel bad," says driver Chuck Davis. "You know, we do the same route. We drive the same trucks. We just want a fair contract."
Another driver, Tim Munz, says the pay hike figures supplied by Waste Management make the offer look better than it is.
"The numbers look so good," he says. "They make it look like we make so much money, and you know we do, we do make good money. But we need to get paid for what we do."
And that, according to the union, is putting their lives on the line.
"We've had four recycle members killed on the job in the last seven years. It is an incredibly dangerous job," says Thompson.
And that's one reason the drivers say they are standing firm.
Says driver Monica Zebley: "I am not going to settle for what they want to offer me. I think I deserve more. I think these guys deserve more."