The City of Watertown announced that for the first time in a month resident yard waste will be collected during the week of Aug. 4, as the five-week trash strike continues.
Republic Services, Watertown’s trash and recycling contractor, has been collecting trash and recycling since early July using replacement crews while Teamsters Local 25 went on strike on July 1. Until this week, however, yard waste has not been picked up.
The City of Watertown’s trash strike update on Aug. 1 announced the resumption of yard waste pickup:
“Yard waste curbside pickup will also resume next week. Please put your yard waste curbside on your regularly scheduled pickup day. Note that service is expected to resume with more delays than usual, and we appreciate everyone’s patience,” the announcement said.
Residents have the option of dropping off trash and recycling at the emergency trash and recycling drop-off site at 148 Waltham St. during weekdays from 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
The announcement said: “Please limit your drop-off to 3 bags of household trash and/or the equivalent amount of recycling that would fit in your bins. Please prepare to show a license or utility bill to confirm Watertown residency.”
For updates from the City on the Trash Strike click here.
Strike Continues
Officials from Republic Services sent out a statement to customers, and its efforts to continue trash and recycling collection with replacement crews. The company sent out the following statement on July 31:
“We empathize with our customers and communities affected by Teamsters Local 25’s work stoppage. We are working hard to continue providing service, and our collection operations continue to improve. Although we currently have the ability to service all customers in Greater Boston, Local 25’s illegal conduct is preventing this from occurring. The union continues its unlawful blocking of our trucks.”
On Sunday, members of Teamsters Local 25 met and voted to continue the union’s strike against Republic Services.
“The decision to stay on strike carried by 93 percent. It was a fantastic display of commitment after five weeks of the strike. In fact, a larger percentage of employees voted to continue the strike today than voted to strike on July 1,” said Tom Mari, president of Teamsters Local 25. “Maybe now the company will realize that it’s not just the negotiating committee making these proposals for better wages and more comprehensive health insurance. The vote this morning of overwhelming support to continue the strike will be heard in Phoenix. As I promised the employees, Local 25 will continue the strike until Republic matches what our members already enjoy with Capitol and Star.”