SEATTLE — With reports that Teamsters Local 174 garbage and yard waste drivers will remain on the job today, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is asking Friday customers to put out their garbage, recycling and yard waste by 7 a.m.
The contract between Waste Management and Teamsters Local 174 garbage and yard waste drivers expired on March 31.
Although no new contract agreement has been announced between the company and the union, Teamsters officials reportedly have instructed garbage haulers to go to work today as usual.
Waste Management’s collection contract with Seattle covers about half of the city’s solid waste customers, in portions of northwest and south Seattle. Drivers in other areas of Seattle are covered by separate labor agreements and are not part of the current negotiations.
“The City of Seattle is not part of the negotiations between Waste Management and the Teamsters; however, we expect the two parties to continue good faith negotiations toward a speedy and successful outcome,” Seattle Public Utilities Acting Director Ray Hoffman said.
“Service delivery and the protection of public health and safety will continue to be the city’s top priority in the event of any solid waste collection disruption,” Hoffman said.
SPU will provide updates as needed. Customers with solid waste service problems may call the Call Center at (206) 684-3000.
Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities, at: http://www.seattle.gov/util
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