Teamsters Strike Widens, Republic Faces Lawsuit and Pressure

The Teamsters Local 25 strike against Republic Services began on July 1 after contract negotiations reached an impasse over pay and healthcare. Republic Services has filed a federal lawsuit alleging vandalism, harassment, intimidation, and dangerous conduct by union members, seeking a restraining order. In Massachusetts alone, the strike has disrupted trash collection for about 130,000 residential and 270,000 commercial customers, leading to missed pickups and overflowing trash. The dispute has spread nationally, with picket lines extending to Los Angeles, Ohio, and the Mahoning Valley, and Republic hiring replacement workers to maintain operations. Public officials, including the Massachusetts Secretary of State and Boston City Council, have urged a resolution, and some municipalities are considering switching waste haulers. Despite mediation efforts, the union continues to demand parity with contracts at other companies, while Republic claims to offer competitive compensation.