Garbage, recycling and yard-waste collection services will not be provided to Bothell residents on Thursday.
Waste Management recycling and yard-waste truck drivers in King and Snohomish counties went on strike Wednesday morning following failed contract negotiations, disrupting service to approximately 8,000 Bothell residents. The strike continued on Thursday.
Teamsters’ Local 117, whose membership includes recycling and yard-waste truck drivers for Waste Management, Inc. (WMI), remain on strike and Teamsters’ Local 174, whose membership includes garbage-truck drivers, are honoring the Local 117 picket lines.
Bothell customers with Thursday collection service are encouraged to remove their garbage, recycling and yard-waste carts from the street.
A double load of garbage and recyclables will be collected at no additional cost on the next regularly scheduled service day.
City solid-waste customers are encouraged to stay informed on the progress of the strike and service interruptions by visiting the WMI Web site at www.wmnorthwest.com/servicedelays. Questions or concerns should be directed to WMI at 1-800-592-9995 or pnwrsservices@wm.com
The city contracts with WMI for residential, multifamily and commercial garbage, recycling and organics collection services. WMI has begun implementing its strike contingency plan.
Initially, the plan will focus on restoring collection service to critical commercial customers associated with public health such as hospitals, nursing homes and day-care centers.
Waste Management spokeswoman Robin Freedman said today Teamsters 117 contacted Waste Management via a federal mediator to continue negotiations on Saturday.
“We are prepared to do this provided the Union leadership discontinues the pickets and allows our drivers to return to work,” she said in a press release. “Unfortunately, the Union leadership refuses to allow our drivers to return to work and refuses to ensure uninterrupted service next week.”
For information about Bothell’s contract with WMI, contact Sabrina Combs, City of Bothell Recycle/Public Projects Administrator, at (425) 486-2768 or Sabrina.combs@ci.bothell.wa.us.
