More than 1,200 waste workers get tentative deal in southern Nevada
(LAS VEGAS) — At 12:15 p.m. Wednesday Pacific Daylight Time, Teamsters Local 631 and Republic Services reached a tentative agreement on a new five-year collective bargaining agreement, averting a potential work stoppage. After weeks of negotiations, the two sides have agreed the terms of a new contract that will provide workers with generous pay and pension increases and high-quality health insurance benefits at no cost to members. The new agreement also includes important language that resolves many issues regarding the treatment of members in the workplace.
Local 631 will hold a contract ratification vote for Republic Services members on June 12, 2022. There are more than 1,200 workers in the bargaining unit.
“From day one of negotiations, the union’s bargaining committee made it clear to the company that we were committed to securing a contract that rewarded our members who have worked throughout the pandemic with the wage increases they deserved,” said Tommy Blitsch, Local 631 Secretary-Treasurer. “Additionally, the treatment of our members in the workplace was equally important. Throughout the pandemic, the company referred to our members as “essential employees” and thought it was enough to give them the occasional gift card to reward them for their hard work. The union made sure they were properly rewarded by negotiating the largest ever salary package for our members at Republic Services.
Local 631 held numerous contract proposal meetings to ensure that each member had the opportunity to provide the committee with the issues that were most important to them. Solidarity was on display during the contract drive as Local 631 printed t-shirts for members and handed out stickers to its more than 5,500 members to place on bins to show union strength and support throughout southern Nevada.
“We couldn’t have done this deal without the support of General Chairman Sean M. O’Brien and the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division,” Blitsch said. “General Chairman O’Brien made it clear from the outset of negotiations that the IBT would give Teamsters Local 631 every resource possible to secure the best contract possible for our Republic Service members. Division Manager Chuck Stiles and his staff Larry Doughety and Felix Martinez attended many bargaining sessions and provided Teamsters Local 631 with valuable resources throughout the negotiations. No matter the day of the week or the time of day, the division was there for us.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 7,000 Republic Services workers across the United States.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hard-working men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.
