'All Unacceptable': Mayor Says Trash Collector Failing City Amid 10-Day Strike

PEABODY, MA — Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt said his city is "exploring all legal options" against trash and recycling collector Republic Services amid a 10-day sanitation worker strike that has caused delays in pickup and left some residents with weeks worth of garbage bags.

Bettencourt accused the company of "failing in their service to the city of Peabody" and said it is in "clear violation of the terms of the contract with the city."

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"There are still streets and neighborhoods which have not been picked up since the strike began on July 1," Bettencourt said. "Some residents have experienced one side of their street receiving pick up and the opposite side of the street has not. Trash being picked up but not recycling.

"It is all unacceptable."

The Peabody mayor's frustrations have been echoed across more than a dozen cities and towns across the North Shore and Greater Boston over the two weeks since Teamsters Local 25 workers walked off the job and set up picket lines in a contract dispute with Republic Services.

Teamsters Local 25 President Thomas Mari issued a statement on Wednesday calling Republic's claims that it is negotiating daily with striking collection workers "blatantly false."

Republic Services said on Wednesday night 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.

"I am exploring all legal options, as well as possible alternatives for trash disposal to hold Republic accountable to the terms of the contract to get our community's trash pick-up back on a regular schedule," Bettencourt said, adding that the city is putting plans in place to use its landfill as a drop-off location for trash only

"I'm sorry that I'm not able to provide more specific information but this situation is extremely challenging and unpredictable," he said.

Mari said that picket lines in the Massachusetts strike were extended to San Diego, Los Angeles and Seattle overnight in solidarity with the local striking workers.

Local unions, including the Marblehead Education Association that held a strike that cost 11 school days this past fall amid a contract dispute, have backed the Teamsters during the stoppage.

"These essential workers are fighting for fair pay, better health benefits, and safer working conditions," the MEA said. "As educators, we know the power of collective action and the importance of standing up for what is right."

Bettencourt said he is working with colleagues from Beverly, Danvers, Gloucester, Lynnfield, Malden, "and many other communities affected by the work stoppage ... trying to assist in achieving a fair solution."

Other cities and towns served by Republic with delays include Marblehead, Swampscott, Topsfield, North Reading, Watertown, Canton and Wakefield.

(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.)