Allan Gerlat, News Editor

April 16, 2013

1 Min Read
Republic Labor Troubles Grow

Republic Services Inc.’s labor troubles extended to waste hauling operations in Memphis and Millington, Tenn., where 175 workers went on strike for the second time in four months.

Members of Washington-based Teamsters Local 984 claim in its news release the company broke federal law by starting to cut paychecks of commercial and recycling drivers, and “spying on its workers and their union representatives.”

Phoenix-based Republic said in a statement by Roger Lawrence, general manager for Memphis, that the company wants to give workers a retirement they can count on, rather than with the fiscally-embattled Central States Pension Fund. “We believe our employees deserve better and will do everything legally possible to help them leave Central States,” Lawrence said.

Workers in Memphis struck briefly in January. Republic said its drivers average a salary of $58,000 a year.

Republic also is dealing with ongoing strikes in Ohio and Georgia.

 

About the Author(s)

Allan Gerlat

News Editor, Waste360

Allan Gerlat joined the Waste360 staff in September 2011 as news editor. He was the editor of Waste & Recycling News for the first 16 years of its history, and under his guidance the publication won 27 national and regional awards.

Before Waste & Recycling News, Allan worked at another Crain Communications publication, Rubber & Plastics News, which covers rubber product manufacturing. He began with the publication as associate editor and eventually became managing editor, a position he held for nine years.

Allan is a graduate of Ohio University, where he earned a BS in journalism. He is based in Sagamore Hills, in northeast Ohio.

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