The numbers are looking good!

Teamsters in the solid waste industry at three Puget Sound-area Local Unions voted overwhelmingly on Saturday, January 31, to ratify a new 5-year master agreement with Republic Services. The agreement secures strong wage and pension increases, improved benefits, and no out-of-pocket increases to workers' medical costs for the duration of the contract.

The coalition of Locals 38, 117, and 174—representing approximately 350 Teamsters—won tremendous gains for workers across all classifications, including drivers, bailer mechanics, and heavy equipment operators.

"This is an incredible win for Teamsters in the solid waste industry,” said Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 117 and one of the lead negotiators for the coalition. "These workers perform dangerous, physically demanding work to haul away waste and keep our communities clean. This contract secures fair pay and benefits that go a long way toward recognizing the value of their labor.”

Secretary-Treasurer Paul Dascher breaks down the improvements impacting Local 117 members.

The Union’s negotiation team achieved a number of enhanced benefits in the contract: an additional week of vacation for senior employees, improved holidays, increased boot allowance, expanded bereavement leave, and stronger safety protections. Republic will also fund a new legal services benefit for full-time employees.

“The gains in this agreement show we are stronger when we bargain together,” said Local 38 Secretary-Treasurer Samantha Kantak, another leader at the bargaining table. “We took the strongest language in the contracts from our three Locals and merged it into one powerful master agreement that will improve the lives of hundreds of Teamster families.”

For Shop Steward Troy McIntyre, this was his first experience at the bargaining table. “I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I can see now how powerful we are when all the Locals support each other, and nobody is left behind. This contract is a big win for all of us.”

Shop Steward Troy McIntyre helped propel the bargain forward.

While all workers secured strong compensation gains, the agreement is particularly transformative for heavy equipment operators at Republic's 3rd and Lander transfer and recycle station.

“When our union rank & file committee members realized that several of their coworkers working at the Recycle Center were not valued by the Company the same as they are, these members made sure the Company understood how serious this was," said Teamsters Joint Council 28 President Rick Hicks. "The committee demanded their coworkers be treated with respect by correcting the pay and benefit inequities immediately."

These 3rd and Lander Teamsters will see life-changing improvements in wages and benefits.

“I feel so proud to be a Teamster,” said DeShawn Carter, a Shop Steward and 20-year member who served on the bargaining committee. “At 3^rd and Lander, we always felt disrespected. But now we’re all under one contract that lifts everybody. We stood together and they had to give us what we want and what we deserve.”