Bay Area sanitation workers are set to return to their jobs Saturday after Republic Services and a union reached an agreement Friday, bringing the strike to an end as it entered its second week, according to a statement from Republic Services.
Republic Services reached a tentative agreement with Teamsters Local 439 and the employees of Forward Landfill in Manteca, the company said.
“We appreciate the community’s patience throughout this situation, and we will work hard to catch up with needed recycling and waste collection as quickly as we can,” the company said.
Sanitation workers across the Bay Area walked off the job last week in solidarity with Forward Landfill employees, who went on strike in a push for higher wages and better benefits. The strike was one of several in a nationwide garbage “war” between the Teamsters and Republic Services.
David Canepa, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement that the development was “great news.”
“The strike is over and we can expect the garbage to finally be picked up,” he added.
Cities impacted by the strike included San Jose, Richmond, San Pablo, Union City, Newark, Fremont, Half Moon Bay, Daly City, Colma and more. Earlier this week, partial trash pickup resumed in some cities, including Richmond and San Jose, as Republic Services brought in outside workers to help.
Workers with Teamsters Local 439 began negotiations for a contract last year. Picket lines were set up across the country that other unions agreed not to cross.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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