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As the standoff between Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 drags into its ninth week, the two sides are reportedly meeting at the bargaining table for the first time in over a month, according to a report by the Boston Business Journal.
A Republic Services spokesperson told the publication that the meeting was happening as of 11 a.m. on Thursday.
“As we have in each of the previous sessions, we will come to this meeting ready to negotiate an agreement that benefits our employees, customers, and the communities we serve,” Republic said in a statement to the Boston Business Journal. “We are hopeful that Local 25 comes to the meeting with the same intent.”
Strike
The union trash collectors walked off the job on July 1 after contract negotiations fell through. Teamsters Local 25 is seeking better pay and health insurance benefits.
Republic told the Local News earlier this month that it had offered a 16% immediate wage increase and a 43% raise over the next five years, along with “continued” zero-premium healthcare.
The company said the proposal would bring total compensation to around $140,000 per driver annually by the end of the contract term.
Thursday’s meeting is the first sit-down between the two sides since July 18.
In all, the strike has affected trash collection in 17 communities across the state — including Ipswich, Beverly, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, and Danvers.
Gov. Healey steps in
Meanwhile, Gov. Maura Healey has demanded that Republic return to negotiations “in good faith to end the strike.”
“Your company’s failure to resolve or even meaningfully address this prolonged strike is unacceptable,” Healey wrote in a sharply-worded letter to Republic Services CEO Jon Vander Ark on August 11.
“This situation is beyond untenable,” the governor added. “Republic Services has an obligation to the communities it serves. That obligation includes ensuring that labor disputes do not escalate to the point of endangering public well-being.”
Responding to questions about that letter, a Republic spokesperson told the Local News that the company had remained in contact with the governor’s office and blamed Local 25 for the stalled negotiations.
Republic also accused the union workers of illegally blocking the company’s trucks from accessing customer sites — a claim that union officials have previously denied.
“We understand the importance of our role in the communities we serve and are working hard to continue providing service,” the Republic spokesperson said.
