Strike delays trash collection for some in San Mateo County

“One thing that’s consistent with this company, at all locations, is that they take their workers for granted and seemingly couldn’t care less about them,” he said.

The Local 439 union, situated in Stockton, is a part of the ongoing work stoppage strike against Republic Services. The union representing San Mateo, San Francisco and San Jose Counties, Local 350, is not on strike but will not be crossing picket lines in service areas in solidarity, Local 350 Secretary Treasurer John Bouchard said.

“It really shows solidarity, in that one local’s fight is all of our fight. We all have to stand together to ensure everybody is getting what they deserve,” he said.

That includes waste collection services in some areas, as well as union members who work for other companies dumping waste at Republic Services landfills, Bouchard said.

According to Republic Services media relations, service delays are occurring across the Bay Area, however, waste management and trash collection is still being provided at essential businesses like hospitals, nursing homes and apartment complexes.

“We are making adjustments to our operations to continue providing service during this situation,” an email statement from Republic Services said. “We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause.”

In Half Moon Bay — which entered into a 10-year agreement with Republic Services in 2017 — city staff are working to provide solutions to the community while also respecting workers’ rights to organize, City Manager Matthew Chidester said.

“The city absolutely respects and upholds workers’ right to organize. This is part of that process,” he said. “That’s tempered by our need to make sure our community is healthy and safe.”

Half Moon Bay is looking at solutions like placing debris boxes in public spaces for impacted residents to put waste, Chidester said. While Republic Services doesn’t have specific numbers on how many residents have been impacted, roughly 40% of the service area is experiencing delays thus far during the two days of striking, he said.

Any solutions that the city and Republic Services come up with are further complicated by the fact that most individuals with the certifications to handle waste management are union members that are unlikely to cross picket lines, Chidester said.

“The ability to do this work all comes from represented workers, and most unions are not going to cross picket lines,” he said.

McQuaid said that ending the strike would be contingent upon Republic Services bargaining in good faith and providing waste service workers with a fair contract.

“It’s really up to the company if they gave us a fair deal,” he said. “If they don’t then it’s going to get worse for them.”

Bay Area communities have been expressing support for the strike, McQuaid said, which is much-appreciated by local workers and union members.

“We’ve been really honored by the support we’ve gotten from the community. We’re grateful for all the people throughout the Bay who have voiced support for teamsters,” he said. “Republic Services is a big, national company from out of state. Our members don’t just work in cities they provide services to. They live there. They send their kids to school there.”