Republic Services Mechanics Join Local 350

On November 18, mechanics at the waste company Republic Services in San Carlos, California overwhelmingly voted to join Local 350 in Daly City.

The vote was 27 for Local 350, while only two workers chose representation with the Machinists Union.

Since 2003, Local 350 has represented 240 drivers at the company. The local also represents 30 transfer station employees. Now the mechanics will have the opportunity to join with their Teamster brothers and sisters and negotiate for better conditions.

“We will fight hard to negotiate a strong Teamster contract for the mechanics so that they receive the wages, benefits and working conditions they deserve,” said Bob Morales, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 350 and Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste, Recycling and Related Industries Division.

In 2011, two new companies will take over the waste operations from Republic. However, Local 350 was able to negotiate worker-retention language and language addressing prevailing wages and benefits that will be in place when the two new companies take over. That means Teamsters currently under contract will be protected, as will the mechanics once they win a Teamster contract.