Teamsters allege trash collector who died on job was paid off books

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/183/story/309670.html

By DONNA WEAVER Staff Writer, 609-978-2015
Published: Saturday, November 08, 2008

BARNEGAT LIGHT - As an investigation continues into a fatal accident that killed a Toms River trash collector last month, new allegations have surfaced about the employment of 69-year-old Samuel Sellino, and legislation is being considered that would make it harder for trash companies to pay people under the table.

Cliff Nolan, PAC chairman of the Teamsters Joint Council No. 73, said Sellino, who was employed by Pinto Brothers of Pleasant Plains, was a retired Local 945 Teamster who was not supposed to be working for Pinto Brothers. Sellino's employment with the company violated his contract and pension agreement, because he was being paid off the books, Nolan claimed. The Teamsters, however, do not plan on recouping any money from Sellino's family, Nolan said.

The owners of Pinto Brothers did not return a call for comment Friday.

Nolan said state municipalities are moving toward a trend of setting up contracts with trash companies that have lower rates than giants such as Waste Management. Union companies have lost 30 contracts for trash collection with municipalities in the northern part of the state, and the trend is moving south, according to Nolan, who claimed some of the competing companies were using undocumented workers and paying employees off the books.

Sellino was killed Oct. 17 when the trash truck he was working on accidentally ran him over. Police said Sellino tripped and fell as he chased the truck after its emergency brake failed.

"We can't bash towns for looking at the lowest prices, but they have to police the kind of service they're getting. The municipalities are rushing to the bottom to get the cheapest deal," Nolan said. "We're laying people off because of this, people are losing jobs, and it's killing us."

Barnegat Light Mayor Kirk O. Larson said contracting with Pinto Brothers is part of the state bidding process.

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