08 Jul Nationwide Strike Brings Trash Collection Delays Across Bay Area

(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via Bay City News)

By Samantha Kennedy
Bay City News

A nationwide sanitation strike is stopping trash collection for some residents in the Bay Area.

Workers at some Republic Services facilities in the Bay Area are refusing to cross a picket line in solidarity with workers striking for better pay, benefits and labor protections.

Workers with the union Teamsters Local 439 launched their strike Tuesday and said the stoppage could disrupt collections for “tens of thousands” of Stockton residents, the union said in a statement.

The strike comes days after Republic Services workers in Boston, Philadelphia and near Atlanta went on strike.

For some in West Contra Costa County, Supervisor John Gioia said garbage collection won’t be happening Tuesday.

“We are advised that this is due to drivers not crossing a picket line which was set up to support workers who are on strike at a Republic owned Landfill near Stockton,” Gioia wrote Tuesday morning on social media.

Republic Services serves the cities of Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, Hercules and unincorporated areas of the county, according to the company’s website. The stoppage does not impact trash collection in El Cerrito or Kensington.

Collection could start back up again Thursday, Gioia said on social media.

Disruptions in Union City, Newark and Fremont to garbage, recycling and compost collection are also happening, the cities said in separate statements. Services are expected to start up again in one to two days.

Half Moon Bay residents are also experiencing delays, the city said in a statement.

Republic Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but a pre-recorded message at its Richmond facility said delays were due to “unforeseen labor circumstances.”

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