Teamsters, Labor and Community Supporters Stage Rally for Republic Recycling Workers

Hundreds of supporters turned out for a rally at city hall today to support recycling workers at Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) in Las Vegas who are attempting to organize with Teamsters Local 631. Representatives from labor, community activists and Teamster leaders, including Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer C. Thomas Keegel, spoke out against the company’s anti-union behavior.

Republic fired 29 workers over the past month following the launch of the organizing campaign in July. The fired workers – who all are Hispanic – were long-standing employees, with many working at Republic for up to a decade.

“I was hired in 2006 to work in the recycling plant,” said Rosalina Martinez, a fired recycling worker who shared her story at the rally. “When I was hired, they never said there was any issue with my documentation. It was only this past July that human resources informed me that there was something wrong.”

Republic’s human resource department told Martinez that her Social Security number did not match her other documents. She was told she had eight days to clear up the matter. That day, Martinez obtained a letter from the Social Security office verifying that everything was in order. After providing a copy to human resources, Martinez was told the issue had been settled.

Despite proving her status, Republic fired Martinez on August 17.

“Rosalina was a victim of Republic’s blatant attempt to bully and intimidate these workers because they wanted a voice in the workplace,” said Kevin Hardison, President of Local 631. “These anti-union tactics are nothing new. Companies like Republic think that they can treat their employees like a disposable workforce. We’re here to let them know we aren’t letting them push anyone around anymore.”

Keegel echoed this sentiment, demanding that the company allow these workers to organize without management’s interference.

“What has happened here is a perfect example of why Congress needs to pass the Employee Free Choice Act,” Keegel said. “Our current system allows companies like Republic to run roughshod over workers’ rights.”

”We are going to stand behind these workers and make sure they get the union representation they deserve,” said Robert Morales, Director, Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division.

The recycling workers say they face extremely hot, dusty and dirty conditions without adequate ventilation and cooling. Some workers toil in areas without any fans. The unacceptable working conditions were just one of the primary issues that prompted the workers to seek union representation. Teamsters Local 631 represents more than 1,200 workers at Republic including the transfer workers and drivers that service the Las Vegas area.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.