Teamster Support for Republic Ohio Landfill Strikers Spreads in California

Teamsters workers in Anaheim, Calif., extended the picket line April 9 in support of strikers at Republic Services Inc.’s landfill in Youngstown, Ohio.

The picket line extension by more than 400 workers at two Teamsters locals was the latest in a series of union actions in California, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana supporting the 23 workers on strike at the Phoenix-based Republic’s Carbon Limestone landfill. The Youngstown workers of Local 377 have been on strike since March 27.

Last week workers refused to cross picket lines at Republic operations in the California cities of Daly City, Half Moon Bay, Fremont, Fairfield and Pacifica, the Washington-based Teamsters said in a news release.

The latest honoring of the picket lines were transfer station workers of Local 952 and drivers and material recovery facility (MRF) workers at Local 396.

The Youngstown workers claim that the company illegally changed working conditions without bargaining.

Republic has said the key issue is the company’s proposal to withdraw Youngstown employees from the financially troubled Central States Pension Fund. Three Teamster locals in Michigan agreed to the withdrawal earlier in March, shifting to a stronger pension fund, the firm said.