BREAKING NEWS: Waste collectors’ strike disrupts trash pickups in Malden, Saugus, 15 other North Shore communities

More than 400 walk off the job after contract expires between Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25

By Steve Freker

Two national giants are locking horns in a contract dispute, and it will have a direct effect locally as a result. Trash pickups in Malden, Saugus and 15 other greater Boston and North Shore communities have been disrupted due to a strike by waste collection workers that began Tuesday. Contract negotiations have been ongoing between national waste collection giant Republic Services and the union representing the waste collection workers, Teamsters Local 25. Teamsters is one of the largest nationwide unions in the world with 1.4 million members.

When the existing contract expired at midnight Tuesday, more than 400 waste collection workers walked off the job, disrupting trash pickup across 17 Massachusetts cities and towns. Included were Malden and Saugus. The City of Malden on Tuesday evening issued a recorded statement to residents indicating there would be no trash pickup on Tuesday, July 1, but that pickups were expected to resume on Wednesday, July 2.

Negotiations between Republic and the Teamsters Local 25 union have stalled over wages, benefits, working conditions and paid time off, according to the union. “Republic Teamsters didn’t start this fight, but we will finish it. Our members will do whatever it takes to finally get the respect they’re owed,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien in a published statement.

According to reports, Union members voted to authorize a strike on March 27 and held “practice pickets” at several locations last week, according to the Teamsters’ social media. Most of the striking employees work as drivers, mechanics and helpers, providing both residential and commercial waste collection services.

According to an online report, a Republic Services representative said the company planned for the strike and will continue to provide service, although on a modified schedule for some customers, using workers from other service areas, prioritizing routes and improving efficiency.

“We currently provide our Greater Boston employees with competitive wages, an industry-leading healthcare plan, pension plan and a generous time-off and holiday plan,” the company said in an online report. “We value our employees and entered negotiations intending to raise wages.”

The strike that began Tuesday affected Malden, Saugus and 15 other cities and towns: Peabody, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Wakefield, Marblehead, Topsfield, Beverly,