Trash Strike Talks Resume As Towns Scramble, MA Leaders Mount Pressure On Republic Services

DANVERS, MA — Trash strike contract talks resumed between Republic Services and Local Union 25 sanitation workers after a four-day break on Tuesday as affected North Shore and Greater Boston cities and towns scrambled to provide alternative drop-off options and pressure mounted from politicians to reach an agreement to end the work stoppage.

The Peabody City Council sent a public letter to Bill Gates, whose Casscade Investments is a principal shareholder in Republic Services, urging Gates to use his influence to push the company to return to "good faith" negotiations, encourage a swift and fair resolution that "respects workers' contributions and addresses their legitimate demands," and affirm his commitment to "responsible corporate governance in line with your broader philanthropic mission."

"The prolonged work stoppage has already had serious public health implications in multiple communities, where mounting waste and lack of sanitation services are creating growing risks," the letter said. "At the same time, the situation reflects deep concerns from workers — many of whom have served on the frontlines of essential public services — about fair wages, safe working conditions, and basic dignity on the job."

A recycling drop-off event in Danvers on Tuesday was shut down early because of what officials called "an overwhelming response," with officials then requesting residents stay away from the area of the high school because of the lingering traffic crunch.

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"We have accepted the capacity of material that can be accepted at this time," officials said at about 4 p.m. "Due to traffic, please try to avoid the high school area if possible as traffic is a concern. We apologize for this inconvenience and will provide more information as soon as possible.

"We are working on additional recycling opportunities and will announce plans once available. Thank you for your patience and understanding."

The drop-off crunch came as cities and towns eye alternatives for residents and businesses that have only had sporadic trash pickup — and have been without recycling and yard waste pickup — for more than two full weeks.

Day 15 of the strike saw the resumption of contract talks for the first time since Republic Services was accused of walking away from a 9.5-hour negotiation session on Friday and saying it would not meet again until Tuesday.

Meanwhile, State Treasurer Deb Goldberg and State Auditor Diana DiZoglio this week joined Secretary of State Bill Galvin over the weekend in calling for an end to the strike — placing much of the blame for the disruptions on the nationwide sanitation company.

"Our Commonwealth depends on fair labor practices that respect workers and safeguard the communities they serve," Goldberg said in a public letter. "It is troubling that despite multiple negotiations, Republic Services has not met basic expectations for fair wages, comprehensive benefits, safe working conditions, and reasonable time off — forcing workers to strike as a last resort.

"Such avoidable disruptions come at a steep price that must manage public health concerns, mounting waste and unanticipated costs that ultimately fall on local budgets and taxpayers."

Said DiZoglio: "I am disturbed that a Fortune 500 company with substantial annual profits, including a CEO compensation package of over $12 million, would resist reaching an agreement to provide frontline workers with the fair treatment they deserve."

Leaders from Beverly, Canton, Danvers, Gloucester, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Malden, Manchester, North Reading, Peabody, Swampscott, Wakefield and Watertown signed a separate letter to Republic Service late last week that demanded that Republic Services "act to swiftly expand interim staffing by bringing in additional drivers and resources to stabilize service in the short term."

That letter also cited a lack of communication, escalating costs and public health concerns because of bags piling up on sidewalks and in commercial dumpsters.

Local 25 said 4,000 Teamsters were either on strike or honoring the strike extensions across the country on Monday morning. Picket lines were set up at four locations in Peabody as well as those in Revere, Holbrook, Roxbury and Quincy.

Republic Services has said that the company is ready to meet with the Teamsters and re-engage on ending the strike, while "we will continue to focus on providing service and doing right by employees." The company accused the union of "instigation, intimidation and criminal acts" during the work stoppage.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)