Trash Strike Leaves North Shore, Greater Boston Residents Holding Their Bags

UPDATED 11:30 a.m.

DANVERS, MA — Cities and towns across Massachusetts saw picket lines instead of trash and recycling pickup on Tuesday as Teamsters Local 25 trash collectors and sanitation workers went on strike at midnight amid a contract dispute with Republic Services.

The strike affects trash collection across the North Shore and more than a dozen cities and towns in Greater Boston.

Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt asked residents whose trash pickup day is Tuesday to take in their barrels as a strike loomed with Peabody joining Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead Swampscott, Topsfield, North Reading, Arlington, Watertown, Canton, Malden, Wakefield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester and Lynnfield as communities seeking contingency plans as trash bags pile up in the hottest time of the year.

• Take In Your Trash: Peabody Mayor Says No Pickup Tuesday As Strike Looms

Marblehead opened its transfer station is open to town residents this week to dispose of all their curbside trash and recycling at no cost.

Danvers officials said that beginning on Wednesday, residents may bring household trash and recycling to the Department of Public Works facility at 95 Hobart Street. The hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as 7:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Swampscott officials said they were expecting Republic's reserve crews to be in town on Wednesday to begin Tuesday's route "but do not have confirmation yet."

Bettencourt said on Monday night that Peabody would also explore alternatives this week if the strike lingers.

Teamsters Local 25 set up four picket lines in Peabody Tuesday morning, along with those in Revere, Roxbury, Quincy and Holbrook.

The union said its 400 workers are fighting for "fair wages, better working conditions, and respect for all workers."

Republic Services said in a statement: "Republic Services has negotiated in good faith to provide our employees with a fair and competitive compensation and benefits package. It is truly unfortunate that our latest offer was voted down. At this time, we are unable to predict the duration of the labor strike. We are committed to working with the union to reach an agreement. We will keep you apprised of the situation."

The strike comes as many communities have streamlined their waste collection in recent years amid rapidly rising costs — with many restricting the amount of trash and recycling that can be placed curbside in a given week and charging fees for collection.

Bettencourt said in his message to the community on Monday night: "It is important to note that this dispute between Republic Services and its employee union is a private company matter, which has nothing to do with the city of Peabody or any of our city unions.

"The city of Peabody is not involved in this negotiation."

(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.)