Some local union workers are honoring a strike in Boston by not crossing the picket line, leaving trash bins overflowing in
Chula Vista
and other South Bay communities.
Republic Services acknowledged that the temporary work stoppage has extended to the San Diego-area and said officials are “making adjustments to our operations and working to resume regular service as quickly as possible.
“Residents are advised to leave their containers out,” the company said in a statement. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Trash pickup has been delayed for several days in Chula Vista, as Republic is its only trash company. Mayor John McCann called an emergency City Council meeting on Monday to obtain more information from Republic and take steps to address the accumulation of trash.
“Residents deserve a clean and safe environment, and we are taking immediate steps to address the impacts of the strike and support resolution efforts,” McCann said in a news release. “The drivers in Chula Vista have a solid contract, but Chula Vista is the only city in San Diego County being targeted. That is unfair to our residents.”
The mayor also encouraged households to leave bins out and said those with questions or concerns should contact his office, [email protected] or. 619-691-5044.
Jaime Vasquez, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 542, which represents the Chula Vista Republic workers, did not respond to a request for comment.
The
Teamsters Union
has expanded the strike from Boston to other locations, including Chula Vista, San Jose and Stockton, with more than 2,000 union employees striking or honoring picket lines.
In a news release, the Teamsters called the action a “nationwide strike” and accused Republic Services of burning through “massive profits” and funneling money to “undeserving, corrupt executives.”
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“We will flood the streets and shut down garbage-collection in state after state,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Workers are uniting nationwide, and we will get the wages and benefits we’ve earned, come hell or high water.”
Chula Vista also took action during a month-long trash strike from 2021-22 in San Diego. Commuities saw refuse pile up around the holiday season as more than 250 workers walked off the job.
Then-City Manager Maria Kachadoorian declared a public health emergency, which was quickly agreed to by the City Council. The declaration would have allowed the city to hire contractors to collect the refuse and bill Republic Services.
City crews picked up more than 100,000 pounds of trash during the strike.