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File photo by David Rosen
Members of Union 117 briefly stop trucks driven by replacement workers at the Waste Management location on West Marginal Way in West Seattle in late July. The recycling and yard waste drivers were on strike to get comparable wages. On Sept. 25 Mayor McGinn settled on a $1.24 million fine against Waste Management for missed garbage, recycling and compost pickups during the strike. The fine will be passed onto homeowners and businesses in the form of an account credit.
Mayor's settlement with Waste Management over strike means credit to households and businesses
The City of Seattle agreed on a $1.24 million settlement with Waste Management over missed recycling, yard waste and garbage pickups over eight days from July into August as the Teamsters Union drivers went on strike, according to Mayor Mike McGinn's Office on Sept. 25.
Residential accounts active during the strike will receive a $10 credit on their account for the Nov.-Dec. bill and businesses, condominiums and apartments will receive a $50 credit.
“This was the longest garbage strike in the city’s history, and thousands of residents and businesses were inconvenienced,” McGinn said of the strike that led to residential street cans and business dumpsters billowing over with trash, recyclables and compostables. “The good news is that our contract with Waste Management provided for substantial performance penalties for a strike lasting more than seven days — and we were able to use that provision to help bring an end to the strike."
According to McGinn's Office, "The strike, which involved Teamsters Local Union No. 117 recycling drivers with support from Local Union No. 174 garbage and yard waste drivers, ended August 2, after eight days — the day after McGinn announced that the city would begin assessing fines against the company for non-collection of garbage, recycling, and food and yard waste."
“Waste Management normally gives very good service to our customers,” McGinn said in his statement. “This strike was an unfortunate aberration which we hope not to be repeated.”
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