Waste Management: No negotiating until drivers stop picketing
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SEATTLE - Waste Management garbage haulers have joined other drivers on strike Thursday, meaning that the garbage of hundreds of thousands of King and Snohomish County residents will not be picked up.
The company's recycling and yard waste drivers hit the picket lines on Wednesday after working without a contract since May 31.
They're upset in part over a pay disparity. Recycling and yard waste drivers make about $9 an hour less than garbage haulers.
Under their contract, the garbage truck drivers are allowed to strike in solidarity.
The strike affects customers from Algona to Woodinville in King County and from Snohomish to Montlake Terrace in Snohomish County.
Angry Teamsters said they are ready to return to the bargaining table.
"We need a contract now. Contract now -- right here, right now. Then we go work," said striking Teamster Pavel Prisak.
Union spokesperson Brenda Wiest said the drivers would rather be working.
"It's a hardship for them to be out here," she said. "They're not earning their wages and taking care of their families."
The union representing 153 recycling and yard waster drivers wanted to schedule a negotiation meeting this Saturday. But Waste Management said it will not negotiate until workers agree to stop picketing.
"Discontinue the pickets," said company spokesperson Robin Freedman. "Allow our drivers to return to work and ensure that work is uninterrupted next week."
But some union members claim the company isn't bargaining in good faith.
"We've done this deal a couple different times. We've walked away; they haven't showed up. I don't think we're going to fall for this one either," said striking Teamster Greg Adams.
However, Waste Management has said it has been trying to reach a deal with the union for the past four months, and have presented 16 different proposals.
The "last, best and final offer" was a 6-year contract that included an average annual pay of $98,000, a fully-funded employee pension and "a generous health and welfare benefits package," according to Freedman.
The union said the National Labor Relations Board is investigating Waste Management for a number of alleged violations, including "bad-faith bargaining, coercing and direct dealing with its employees, threatening to retaliate against workers, and unilaterally changing working conditions."
Wiest said the company failed to provide "information vital to bargaining," and workers have experienced "surveillance and intimidation in the workplace."
Drivers claim they were intimidated when they wore stickers and union T-shirts to work in a show of solidarity. They claim they were told they'd be fired for wearing those items to work.
Waste Management could be fined if the strike drags on. The city can take away $4,500 a day for not making those collections, and the fine could climb as high as $250,000 a day if the strike goes longer than a week.
The company said if the strike continues for days, the company will implement its strike contingency plan, which prioritizes critical customers associated with public health including hospitals, nursing homes and daycare centers.
Both residential and commercial customers can check Waste Management's website for any changes or delays to their service.
The company's recycling and yard waste drivers hit the picket lines on Wednesday after working without a contract since May 31.
They're upset in part over a pay disparity. Recycling and yard waste drivers make about $9 an hour less than garbage haulers.
Under their contract, the garbage truck drivers are allowed to strike in solidarity.
The strike affects customers from Algona to Woodinville in King County and from Snohomish to Montlake Terrace in Snohomish County.
Angry Teamsters said they are ready to return to the bargaining table.
"We need a contract now. Contract now -- right here, right now. Then we go work," said striking Teamster Pavel Prisak.
Union spokesperson Brenda Wiest said the drivers would rather be working.
"It's a hardship for them to be out here," she said. "They're not earning their wages and taking care of their families."
The union representing 153 recycling and yard waster drivers wanted to schedule a negotiation meeting this Saturday. But Waste Management said it will not negotiate until workers agree to stop picketing.
"Discontinue the pickets," said company spokesperson Robin Freedman. "Allow our drivers to return to work and ensure that work is uninterrupted next week."
But some union members claim the company isn't bargaining in good faith.
"We've done this deal a couple different times. We've walked away; they haven't showed up. I don't think we're going to fall for this one either," said striking Teamster Greg Adams.
However, Waste Management has said it has been trying to reach a deal with the union for the past four months, and have presented 16 different proposals.
The "last, best and final offer" was a 6-year contract that included an average annual pay of $98,000, a fully-funded employee pension and "a generous health and welfare benefits package," according to Freedman.
The union said the National Labor Relations Board is investigating Waste Management for a number of alleged violations, including "bad-faith bargaining, coercing and direct dealing with its employees, threatening to retaliate against workers, and unilaterally changing working conditions."
Wiest said the company failed to provide "information vital to bargaining," and workers have experienced "surveillance and intimidation in the workplace."
Drivers claim they were intimidated when they wore stickers and union T-shirts to work in a show of solidarity. They claim they were told they'd be fired for wearing those items to work.
Waste Management could be fined if the strike drags on. The city can take away $4,500 a day for not making those collections, and the fine could climb as high as $250,000 a day if the strike goes longer than a week.
The company said if the strike continues for days, the company will implement its strike contingency plan, which prioritizes critical customers associated with public health including hospitals, nursing homes and daycare centers.
Both residential and commercial customers can check Waste Management's website for any changes or delays to their service.
Whine whine whine. I have nothing better to do with my life then sit around and judge other's because my life sucks and i have nothing better to do. Spend your time wish. call wm and tell them to get back to the bargaining table and put people back to work. Support your local 117 worker. They make an honest living too. Or maybe you would rather pay for there welfare check also. Just saying!
@Shamie Wells 68k a year and full benefits.... screw 117 and 174 I hope WA starts looking at Non-Unionized options for pickup... screw the darn unions
"Entitlements...entitlements???" It's not an entitlement to expect to have a decent job with equal pay and safety on the job. It's not an entitlement to be able to negotiate in good faith with an employer or speak out.Â
Unions make EVERYONE's job better - they raise the standard of living for everyone not just union members.Â
No I am not a union worker.
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@macandsandy Horse Hockey... they not making my life better the dumpsters in our complex are having rodent issues becuase of your GREEDY politics! ... I going ot start dumping my trash at the teamsters offices
This nonsense is beyond frustrating in an economy where so many people are out of work and would gladly step in and take those jobs at the compensation package already in place. I work for a small employer, and I earn a decent base salary. My benefits consist of paid vacation, a 3% match to 401k, and $200 a month towards health insurance. Period. I wonder how many of those employees understand that their pension plan is unheard in the private sector, or how many have ever bothered to do the math to calculate how much they'd have to save on their own to replicate their vested pension payments at retirement. The entitlement mentality is just plain old offensive. Go Teamsters.
Can't the drivers who pick-up recycling and yard waste upgrade to collecting garbage? Shame on Waste Management if they don't have a system for that! Do you time is a recycle and yard waste collector then you can advance up to the higher pay job of collecting garbage. Every company has attrition when it comes to it employees that open the door to advancement. OK, not every recycling and yard waste driver will be able to advance (boo-hoo, the world isn't fair), and it should not be solely based on seniority (how unions like it), but your work performance, too!
@Too funny! For the most part, It is like that. Starting out as a recycle / yard waste and then moving to garbage. That is why you probably remember somehting similar happening in April 2010. That was garbage going through their contract negotiation with WM and AW. AW already signed their contract with their recycle / yard waste last month, but WM is having a hard time coming to an agreement, obviously.Â
At my business, we sometimes forget to move the garbage and recycle containers to the curb, about 20 feet from where they sit. The garbage guy will walk the 20 feet, grab the container, wheel it out, dump it, and put it back. The recycle guy just leaves it and we get a letter in the mail. Well, the garbage guy deserves the higher wage because he gives a damn. The recycle guy can take a hike. Sorry, but that is how I see it. And who gets a nice gift, a very nice gift, at Christmas?
So the question is how long will the union be able to last if the stike lasts for a while? Yes I know they will get their weekly strike pay from the union, but how many will truly be able to live on that
@choliscott Well since they're over paid, and underqualified, they probably have all the extra money stashed in their matress and can pull from that to make up the difference. lol
Cry me a river... These pricks strike every year! Trash is completely different than recycle and should not be paid the same! Give these jobs to people whom appreciate it...
@Shadow Doubt The last strike was in April of 2010 and was for Garbage 174 negotiations with both WM and AW. This is for recycle / Yard waste 117, and if they sign the WM proposed contract you won't hear from them for a WHOLE 6 years!!!! lol
I don't agree with this particular strike or most strikes but to try and tell strikers to stop picketing and with no reciprocity is almost laughable. Back in the day the term would be called 'Chumps'. I seriously doubt any trucker anywhere is a 'Chump'.
Breaking News! Â Babysitters have formed a union! Â "$50/hr! Â Stinky diapers and cartoons deserve more pay and a pension!" Â Up next, gas station clerks. Â "$48/hr; Â counting change is rough, and we get a gun pulled on us from time to time!"
This really can't be a hard union to bust. You have some basic skill sets that are common and the need for a strong back. Bust 'em and move on, this yearly strike is just stupid!
 @SensationaLies zero skilled labor! takes three weeks to get a CDL how stinking had is it to drive pull a lever that picks up the can pull lever can placed back down drive to the next can. NON Skilled labor!
 @wynooheeman ...probably a lot "hader" than spelling "hard" correctly..
 @wynooheeman Hey, un-informed.... Drive a route for a week and then let me know how many insurance claims you have to file because of scratched cars, downed power lines, spilled loads.. You guys are too funny.. saying it's 'unskilled labor' when you haven't done it yourself or know what's involved.Â
 @Poisonous Giraffe NO the us dept of labor has stated that garbage collection is unskilled labor. Talk to your President!
 @wynooheeman Are you a garbage truck driver? Probably not, so you're not really coming from a position of authority here... . Honestly I really don't want unskilled laborers driving a 5-ton truck through my neighborhood. I also understand that you've been brainwashed to think that all unions are bad for which I am truly sorry about. You bought at face value that whole republican meme hook line and sinker. Granted the skill level isn't as high as a doctor, but one does need some skills. Seriously..
 @Poisonous Giraffe is that all you can come back with? Your doing a job a high school drop out could do. Please One typo and you think your IQ doubled. If it were not for the thugocracy of a Union you would be out of a job. Your a loser if you thin garbage collection is skilled labor.
 @wynooheeman If that's what you read into my comment then by all means, have at it... Be warned though, you should no longer play with sharp objects.
 @Poisonous Giraffe So what you are saying is you can't drive a truck with out damaging private property, And that it takes skill to pick up garbage that falls out of a can. Now If a person who worked for me had one insurance claim they would also have their pink slip! By your own comment it shows that the teamsters are unskilled goons!
 @Poisonous Giraffe Helen Keller?
Don't run into cars or power lines.  Try to keep your load in the back of your truck.  Problem solved.  I surely hope you are not my garbage man!!!Â
"No negotiating until drivers stop picketing"Â Â That's like saying no living until they stop dieing. Go figure.
I was thinking along those same lines. I could ahrdly believe what I was reading. Its' downright absurd and extremely laughable.
Remember folks, their salaries come from our taxes. Â
 @KingOfCommonSense And they spend those salaries back in our communities and fund the dry cleaners, grocery stores, restaurants, auto dealers etc. etc. that they support. Those stores then in turn pay taxes into the system and employ other people.
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What, they get paid by our taxes and then live for free? Are you really that obtuse???
 @Howard Beale  I'm not obtuse nor naive.  I'm actually quite educated and understand how the economy works.  Drug dealers also fund grocery stores, restaurants, etc.  Our taxes don't fund their livelihood. We could pay our local toll booth workers $900k/year and their money would also come back into our economy.  So, by your logic we should increase salaries around the board?  Who pays for that?  Should we print more money? Â
 @KingOfCommonSense I don't know what Howard's definition is, but I think $68k/year plus benefits is a GREAT living wage. Like Howard said.. do you want someone earning a living wage and putting money back into the economy or working for table scraps and having them suck off the economy... Fairly clear choice if you ask me...  Common sense you might say, Mr. King.....
@Howard Beale well said!
 @Howard Beale Are you familiar with the history of unions?  I never suggested paying minimum wage.  Also, I don't like your insinuation that you know how much money I make or how hard I work.  You might be surprised. What is your definition of a living wage? Â
 @KingOfCommonSense So toll collectors are drug dealers? What leaps of logic are you using.
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Let me tell you a story about an awful man. A horrible man. A - SOCIALIST. His name was Henry Ford. Now Henry Ford has this CRAZY idea. See, he would pay a living wage to his factory workers, unheard of in his day and age. See he figured that if he paid his workers enough money to own a modest home, support a family, and make enough money to buy one of the cars they were building, well he would get a better work product and sell more cars. Now remember, this SOCIALIST crazy idea of Henry Ford came at a time when a car was a luxury. This would be like suggesting to you, the guy building the Corvette in Kentucky, should be able to buy a Corvette on what he makes. Oh that whacky guy, Henry Ford. Oh wait, I'm not done, telling you about this awful socialist. See he felt they should work - a 40 hour week! WHAT?!? Insanity!!! And, they should have time for family and recreation.
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Workers flocked to Ford's plants, the rest is as they say history.
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And riddle me this, if paying a "fair" wage is so wrong, so evil in your mind, why is it Costco has such low employee turn over, at one-third the rate of other retailers and almost no employee shrinkage to speak of???
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Are you offended that a starting cashier at Costco gets $40,000 a year BEFORE benefits?!? That means a cashier at Costco assuming no overtime with benefits factored is about $55K a year. I mean, that's an unskilled job! How dare the management of Costco pay a fair wage.
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See, there was an idea in this country born by men like Henry Ford. a fair wage for a honest days work. I don't know about you, but I drive in Seattle and between militant cyclists, clueless pedestrians, narrow car choked side streets with cars technically illegally parked the wrong way this way and that way, I would want a skilled, well paid driver operating a piece of dangerous heavy machine hauling under any definition by the government as dangerous waste.
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The rest of your screed was a pointless strawman argument. I'm sorry you're jealous that others make more than you. But that's a product of our entitlement society. See, when I went to school, I wasn't taught you got a trophy for just showing up. I was taught winners celebrate, losers have to work harder not be losers. Instead the losers go, "whaaaaa, someone is making more than me, take it away and give me my trophy because I showed up. I want mine too!!!"
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Sorry, suggest you stop being a loser and work a little harder. Because your alternative, of paying them minimum wage, means you're still paying for them with your taxes (d'uh) because the free medical clinic isn't free, and food stamps come for your taxes too. So you tell me - would you rather they be paid a living wage and SUPPORT the system, or pay them minimum wage and no benefits and have them sponge off the system.
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It's a great business model for Wal-Mart.
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How much do bus drivers make?  How much do starting to mid-level airline pilots make?  Why do individuals who remove garbage from our homes make more than those who have human lives as a payload?  I find this entire event laughable. If I knew this when I was 10 years old  I would have charged my parents $100 every time they asked me to take out the trash.  This union (along with most others) needs to get disbanded.  If this was a manufacturing industry and workers demanded half this pay, it would have been sent overseas a long time ago.  Look at Boeing, they'll be out of state in 10 years.  Greed, one of the 7 deadly sins...Â
First of all, $98,000 is the total package w/ bennies. Typically bennies are 30% of total wages. I would guess the average paycheck is $2000-$2200 every two weeks. Yup, it's a tough, redundant job. So what? They're not going to get any sympathy from the public. WM want's nothing more than to break the union. Their decree of "no negotiations while pickets continue," clearly shows that. Why are they worried about pickets? Their business requires almost no outside union drivers/employees to make deliveries to their facitlities, nor does the public go there. So why should they care about pickets? They just want to butt heads. These guys need to keep their current status quo and go back to work now if they want to preserve their income. Fight another day when the economy is better. Truly, virtually anyone can do this job. What I want to know is why, when my garbage isn't picked up that I still have to pay Seattle full price?
 @bagsofdirtÂ
SO what! It is a min wage job unskilled labor. max wage for that job $17.00 including benefits!
I have a great idea... Â Set up a 2 week vocational school to teach individuals how to drive a large truck. Â Offer $40k in starting wages, advertise to seniors at local high schools, and disband the union. Â Problem solved. Â This is the reason local governments have budget issues. Â How can any reasonable person justify paying someone over $90k to drive a garbage truck?
 @KingOfCommonSense Question: Who pays for teaching those individuals for 2 weeks at that vocational school? WM, the individual, the taxpayer. Who pays for that instructor? Who pays the bills for using that classroom at that vocational school? Who pays for the insurance on the equipment used in that classroom? Heavy trucks do damage to people and property! Who pays for that advertising? Also, our state's labor and industries don't allows18yrs old to drive garbage trucks. No, it's not that simple!
 @KingOfCommonSense That's funny... because the LAST thing I want in my neighborhood is some greasy-haired teenager driving a 5-ton truck.
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"KingofCommonsense".. Are you sure about that?Â
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Show me a garbage driver that earns $90k/year and I'll show you.. well.. nothing, because that guy doesn't exist.Â
 @Poisonous Giraffe LOL! Great post!
 @KingOfCommonSense Aren't you being a little disingenuous here by lumping the benefits package into the $98k figure and calling it "Annual Income"?C'mon now.. play nice.... or at least stop lying.
 @KingOfCommonSense Freedman?You do understand the meaning of "Vested Interest" I hope...........Â
 @Howard Beale  @Poisonous Giraffe The "last, best and final offer" was a 6-year contract that included an average annual pay of $98,000, a fully-funded employee pension and "a generous health and welfare benefits package," according to Freedman.
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 @KingOfCommonSense Simple, they aren't paid $90K a year to drive a truck. But hey, keep spewing that lie over and over again, if you click your heels, you can make it come true.
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Sorry your so jealous and didn't pick the right career path.
 @Howard Beale I don't wear heels, Howard.  But, unlike you, I understand very simple economics (and know the difference between your and you're.)  I have a great career, and get frustrated with where my tax dollars are spent.  Good luck.
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 @Howard Beale I do not shop at Wal-Mart.  I think cops should make more money, and I think jails are crowded.  I would be happy if more of my tax dollars went to teachers, schools, police officers, and firemen.  I don't look down at anyone.  I think blue collar workers work just as hard as anyone else. Your assumptions are way off-base. Â
 @KingOfCommonSense You don't understand economics at all.
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I know your type. You're the kind who whines and complains about crime but don't want to pay the police what they are worth, build more jails to hold the prisoners, or properly fund the prosecutors office so they can actually - prosecute - because good Lord man, that takes taxes.
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You shop at Walmart to get the best deal, and look down at their employees because they get food stamps - how dare they sponge off of me!
I have waste management they picked up this week on tuesday, but if they don't pick up next week I'm gonna stop paying the bill until they start picking it up again. I'm not gonna pay for service I'm not receiving, especially since I'll have to pay for my dad to come down here with his pick up truck and take it to the dump for us. I'm not going to leave garbage to build up and sit around outside my house because I don't want varmints out there getting into things, or worse yet getting into my house, while they can't play nice and get everybody back to work!
I blame the union and the workers. these people are asking for more when they have a perfectly good contract in force. Why don't they stop and think about other people who are being laid off and can't get another job. people  who have worked just as hard all there lives just as the garbage people. IT is time people learned they can't get everything they want. and no I am not a hater niether do I envy them.
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