Southern Waste Workers Win First Contract

Southern Waste Workers Win First Contract

December 16, 2005

In a major victory for waste workers across the South, Allied Waste members in Georgia, Florida and Alabama ratified first contracts on December 15.The contracts, which range in duration from 26 to 30 months, include wage increases, an improved wage structure, grievance and arbitration language, and other improvements.Workers at the Bankhead Highway hauling station in Atlanta overwhelmingly approved their first contract in a 131-10 vote. There are 180 workers in the bargaining unit. Workers at three more transfer stations in Marietta, East Point and Smyrna, all in Georgia, also ratified their contract 14-0. There are 18 workers in that unit.Drivers and helpers in Brewton, Alabama ratified their contract 33-3, with 36 people in the bargaining unit. Workers at the Timberlands landfill in Alabama voted unanimously to ratify their agreement, with all 11 members voting. Members in Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, Florida voted to ratify their contract 58-6, with 75 workers in the unit.Members in Mobile, Alabama voted 49-3 to ratify the contract with 60 people in the bargaining unit. On December 19, workers at the Lawrenceville/Gainesville location approved their contract 83-18, with 130 people in the bargaining unit.The workers, who are members of Local 728 in Atlanta and Local 991 in Mobile, Alabama, include residential and commercial drivers, helpers, mechanics, operators and scalehouse clerks. They have been fighting for a year and a half to win their first contract.