Republic Services sees mounting frustration from towns, officials amid worker strike
'The City of Boston is already experiencing service disruptions as a result of this strike,' the
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Republic and Teamsters Local 25 have held two negotiating sessions since approximately 400 workers walked off the job, but have yet to end the standoff. On Friday, the two sides met for nine hours, aided by a federal mediator, but remained far apart.
They are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday.
Union officials said that Republic upped its wage offer, but workers would still earn less than those at other waste management companies. The union also said the company 'refused to budge' on providing health insurance that is more comprehensive than the plan Republic now offers.
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'We tried everything to get a settlement,' Local 25 President Tom Mari said. 'We even proposed a delay in implementing our health insurance proposal to replace the inferior company health insurance, which would have been a savings to the company. But it was to no avail.'
A Republic spokesperson said union is spreading falsehoods. He said the company's proposal on Friday included a pay increase of about 43 percent over five years, with an immediate 16 percent wage increase. The company said 45 percent of its Greater Boston Teamsters drivers earned more than $100,000 last year.
Republic said it offers a 'comprehensive health and welfare plan,' and pays 100 percent of the premiums. The Teamsters' proposal, the company said, 'offers no significant benefit at a substantially higher cost.'
Stella Tannenbaum can be reached at
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Advertisement 'The City of Boston is already experiencing service disruptions as a result of this strike,' the Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Republic and Teamsters Local 25 have held two negotiating sessions since approximately 400 workers walked off the job, but have yet to end the standoff. On Friday, the two sides met for nine hours, aided by a federal mediator, but remained far apart. They are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday. Union officials said that Republic upped its wage offer, but workers would still earn less than those at other waste management companies. The union also said the company 'refused to budge' on providing health insurance that is more comprehensive than the plan Republic now offers. Advertisement 'We tried everything to get a settlement,' Local 25 President Tom Mari said. 'We even proposed a delay in implementing our health insurance proposal to replace the inferior company health insurance, which would have been a savings to the company. But it was to no avail.' A Republic spokesperson said union is spreading falsehoods. He said the company's proposal on Friday included a pay increase of about 43 percent over five years, with an immediate 16 percent wage increase. The company said 45 percent of its Greater Boston Teamsters drivers earned more than $100,000 last year. Republic said it offers a 'comprehensive health and welfare plan,' and pays 100 percent of the premiums. The Teamsters' proposal, the company said, 'offers no significant benefit at a substantially higher cost.' Stella Tannenbaum can be reached at
