California Hauler Strike Affects Thousands

Danielle Jackson

Orange County, Calif. -- More than 700 sanitation workers went on strike early Monday morning, causing residential collection to be "postponed indefinitely" for most cities and county areas, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

Houston-based Waste Management Inc., one of the four hauling companies involved in the dispute, has said that it will only be picking up "critical accounts" such as hospitals, health care services and food services.

One day before their contract expired with Local 396 of the Teamsters, hauling companies offered workers a $1 per hour raise. But sanitation workers, who are paid $12.90 per hour, are asking for a $4 per hour raise.

The strike could affect as many as 400,000 homes in Orange County. If the strike continues into next week, replacement workers will be brought in to continue with residential collection.