Government

Council President to Republic: Trash Strike “Needs to Come to an End”

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Overflowing trash and recycling bins on Main Street during the trash strike. (Photo by Dean Martino)

City Council President Mark Sideris read a letter to the City Council Thursday night in which he calls on Republic Services to end of the trash strike, which began on July 1. The City Council voted to approve sending the letter. Sideris’ letter follows two letter sent by City Manager George Proakis and other municipal leaders to Republic. The last one was sent on July 10.

Around Town

Watertown Yard Waste Remains Uncollected, Report of Efforts to Slow Trash Collection in Town

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While trash and recycling collections have resumed during the strike, Watertown residents have not had yard waste pickup in about a month. The City of Watertown has opened a drop off site at 148 Waltham St. for trash and recycling, but yard waste cannot be left there. Tyler Cote, the City’s Community Engagement Specialist, confirmed that yard waste collection was cancelled during the week of July 21-25. The City has contacted Republic about this part of the waste collection service.

Around Town

Negotiations Fail to Reach Agreement in Trash Strike

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Watertown DPWWatertown trash and recycling and compost bins. The two sides met Friday to discuss the trash strike impacting more than a dozen other communities, including Watertown, but left without coming to an agreement. The strike began July 1, and replacement crews began collecting trash and recycling in Watertown on July 7. The crews, however, were not able to complete the full day’s run, and this week Watertown hired an outside contractor to assist with pickups. This week, City Manager George Proakis sent a letter to both the Teamsters and Republic asking them to end the strike.

Government

Trash Strike: City Manager’s Letter to Republic & Teamsters, City Won’t Join Legal Action

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Overflowing trash and recycling bins on Main Street during the trash strike. (Photo by Dean Martino)

Watertown will not be joining the six communities seeking legal action against Republic Services for costs incurred from the trash strike. However, City Manger George Proakis sent a letter to Republic and Teamsters Local 25 urging them to get back to the bargaining table and reach a contract agreement. On Friday, the strike reached its 18th day. The two sides met on Tuesday without reaching a deal and the next date has not been announced.

Around Town

Trash Strike: 6 Communities Seek Assistance in Court; Watertown Bringing in Help to Collect Trash, Recycling

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A Watertown trash bin. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

As the trash strike reaches 17 days, half a dozen affected communities have gone to court seeking assistance dealing with issues arising due to the strike. A complaint seeking injunctive relief from Republic Services to abate the public health problems resulting from the strike was filed Thursday by municipal leaders from Beverly, Gloucester, Malden, Peabody, Danvers and Canton in Essex County Superior Court in Salem, reports WCVB Channel 5. Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill sent an announcement to residents about the legal action, and noted that Beverly plans to assess Republic for liquidated damages for trash and recycling not being picked up, or delayed collection. Beverly plans to withhold the amount from its next payment to Republic Services.

Around Town

City Manager Talks About Trash Strike; Contract Negotiations Have Stalled

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Trash bins in Watertown. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

City Manager George Proakis spent more of his vacation than expected talking about trash, the strike, and how to deal with collection while Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 negotiate a contract. The two sides met Tuesday, the 11th negotiating session, but did not come up with an agreement. In the meantime, Watertown and around a dozen other communities have been trying to make sure trash is collected. Proakis spoke to Watertown News at Tuesday’s grand opening of the renovated Arsenal Park, after returning from his time away from town.

Around Town

Trash Strike: Secretary of State Urges End of Strike, Republic’s Statement on Negotiations

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A Watertown trash bin. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

As the trash strike impacting Watertown and more than a dozen communities nears a third week, the Massachusetts Secretary of State reached out to Republic Services urging an end to the strike. The company also issued a statement saying that the union “did not take negotiations seriously.” The trash strike began on July 1, 2025. Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 met for more than nine hours on Friday, and are scheduled to return to negotiations on Tuesday.

Government

Negotiations in Trash Strike End Friday With No Deal, One Affected Town May Terminate Contract

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Uncollected trash bins in Watertown on July 11 due to the trash strike that began July 1. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The two sides met for several hours on Friday but failed to come to an agreement that would end the trash strike that began on July 1, 2025. Some communities impacted by the strike are seeking damages and have threatened to end the contract with the trash contractor. The negotiations between Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 took place with the assistance of federal mediation. The two sides met for 9.5 hours, according to a statement from Teamsters Local 25, and negotiations will resume on Tuesday, July 15.