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

Updated 9:15 p.m.

PEABODY, MA — Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt asked residents whose trash pickup day is Tuesday to take in their barrels as a strike looms among Teamsters Local 25 trash collectors against Republic Services.

More than a dozen eastern Massachusetts cities and towns — including Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody and Swampscott on the North Shore — appear poised to see trash collection services suspended in the summer heat as negotiations broke down Monday night.

Arlington, Watertown, Canton, Malden and Wakefield are also served by Republic, along with North Shore cities and towns Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Lynnfield and Saugus.

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"The Republic Services workers' union has announced its intention to go on strike, effective at midnight tonight, resulting in a work stoppage," Bettencourt said in an update to residents 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."

Bettencourt said residents should "expect a slight delay" in trash and recycling disposal and that residents whose pickup day is Tuesday should not place their trash curbside.

"We are currently working on a number of contingency plans for trash and recycling disposal should the strike continue for any significant length of time," Bettencourt said. "Thank you for your patience and understanding during this period of uncertainty for the city."

Similar preparations were underway in Danvers earlier on Monday.

“While this matter is between Republic Services and their union, the town is closely monitoring
the situation," said Rob Dever, Danvers Acting DPW Director.

Danvers residents were advised to put out their curbside collection as planned. Those who experience any issues with curbside collection were encouraged to contact Republic Services directly at 800-323-4285.

(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.)