Approximately 500 members of Local 396 in Covina, California, who work at Republic Services, have ratified by a nearly unanimous vote a five-year contract that increases wages, and improves their pension and health-care plans.

“Among the historic gains achieved in this contract was the successful switch from the Pacific Coast pension plan to the Western Conference of Teamsters pension plan, which is superior,” said Ron Herrera, Local 396 Secretary-Treasurer. “With this victory added to those won last fall on behalf of solid waste members at Allied Waste, Calmet, Crown Disposal, CDS Chatsworth and Waste Management, Local 396 has now helped to improve the retirement prospects of more than 1,000 Local 396 members by upgrading them from the Pacific Coast plan to the Western Conference of Teamsters plan.”

The five-year contract, retroactive to January 15, 2008, covers workers employed at Republic’s centers in Long Beach and Gardena, and those working at the East Los Angeles transfer station. Other highlights of the contract include: 

• A new, improved medical plan with minimum out-of-pocket costs;
• $4 per hour wage increases over the life of the contract;
• Additional wage increases for swing-shift drivers;
• Increases in vacation pay;
• Stewards’ pay for all time spent in grievance hearings;
• Protections against overweight containers;
• Increased break times—to two 15-minute breaks per day, and
• Improved language to help workers who are unjustly disciplined.