Sunday March 17, 2013, 6:02 pm
International Longshore & Warehouse Union
www.ilwu.org

For Immediate Release: Friday, March 15, 2013

Workers end strike at Waste Management sparked by company’s unlawful behavior

OAKLAND, CA – Hundreds of Waste Management workers at facilities in Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward and Livermore/Altamont ended an early-morning 5-hour strike that called attention to the company’s violation of federal labor laws and abuse of employee rights.

The strike began at 3 a.m. Friday morning at Waste Management’s three East Bay locations in Oakland, San Leandro and Altamont. Workers declared victory after striking for five hours to highlight Waste Management’s illegal behavior. They resumed work at 8am to minimize any disruption to customers.

Companies that illegally threaten or intimidate employees are subject to federal labor law violations known as “unfair labor practices.” Workers have filed unfair labor practice charges with the federal government against the company. Federal investigators will review those charges and decide whether to issue formal complaints that could put the powerful corporation on trial for violating federal labor laws.

“The workers at Waste Management deserve credit and respect for standing up to this powerful company that was breaking the law,” said Fred Pecker, Secretary-Treasurer of ILWU Local 6 based in Oakland. “Our country won’t work if powerful corporations aren’t held accountable to the law like everyone else.”

The strike was initiated by 200 Waste Management workers, but quickly won support from hundreds of other workers who maintain equipment, drive trucks that collect refuse and deliver it to the Altamont sanitary landfill east of Livermore which handles waste from numerous cities in the East Bay and San Francisco.

Waste Management has a history of mistreating workers in the Bay Area. In 2007, the company issued a demand for cutbacks then “locked-out” 500 Teamster drivers. The company’s lockout left customers in Oakland and other east Bay cities with little or no garbage service for a month, triggering heavy fines against the company. The company also retaliated against clerical workers who supported Teamsters during the lockout by outsourcing 38 clerical positions in November of 2009. While demanding cutbacks from workers, Waste Management’s CEO has been collecting a salary of $7.4 million. The company reported profits of over $800 million in 2012.

Sunday March 17, 2013, 6:27 pm

I may be very mistaken here but I think the company Waste Management is the largest collector of recyclables in the US. Therefore, it would really take some courage to stand up to this company. These days any one that dares to strike is in a dire situation. Workers and unions are treated worse than the trash these workers collect. Good for them. Too bad it wasn't a national strike, that would get some attention.

Sunday March 17, 2013, 8:07 pm
I think you are right Kit. If a community has contracted out the public service of trash collection, the odds are WM has the contract. You cannot currently send a star to Kit because you have done so within the last day.

Sunday March 17, 2013, 8:15 pm
Waste Management clerks, drivers, workers all, are an EXCELLENT example of what America is going to have to do to reclaim the rights of the middle class, poor, women, gays, African Americans, Asians, Latin Americans and every other group that does not belong to the oligarchy perpetrated by large corporations and corrupt politicians. Let's start by making a law in Congress that if you serve more than 1 term you cannot serve as a lobbyist after you retire and limit the the times they can run for office. UNIONS you are going to have to stand firm or corporate America will run you over.

Sunday March 17, 2013, 8:26 pm
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Monday March 18, 2013, 1:53 am
Thanks!

Monday March 18, 2013, 5:29 am
thank you so much

Monday March 18, 2013, 7:26 am
Please report spam above.
You are welcome Lynn and Joseph.

Monday March 18, 2013, 9:36 am
Corporate entities should understand that if you pay your employees a fair wage and benefits package that accommodates the yearly cost of living there is no basis for having a union. A contented worker is a productive worker, at least for the most part. Of course when workers for the most part on a global basis are treated as merely indentured wage slaves who can be easily replaced it is no wonder that corporations act the way they do. Any increase in benefits is usually passed on to us the consumer anyway.

Monday March 18, 2013, 11:25 am
It amazes me how companies still think they can get away with bullying tactics etc in 2013 Well done to the employees for going on strike Now it will be brought to the publics attention

Noted

Monday March 18, 2013, 4:41 pm
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