Garbage collection talks stall, strike looms (500 garbage workers throughout Alameda County )

http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_6212587

Garbage collection talks stall, strike looms
Union spokesman says disrupted service may be 'inevitable' if agreement not reached by June 30
By Martin Ricard, STAFF WRITER
Article Last Updated: 06/23/2007 02:49:25 AM PDT

Stalled negotiations between Waste Management Inc. and the union that represents nearly 500 garbage workers throughout Alameda County are putting a strain on relations as the deadline to reach an agreement by June 30 looms.

For the past three weeks, Teamsters Local 70, the union representing garbage-truck drivers and heavy-equipment operators, has clashed with the garbage company over proposed cuts in health benefits, as well as safety and collective bargaining provisions that union officials say are unfair to workers.

If an agreement isn't reached by June 30, a possible strike could be on the horizon, disrupting garbage service for more than 200,000 customers — residential and businesses — throughout the county.

While the union hasn't officially called for a strike, a union negotiator said Friday that it might be inevitable.

"We're hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst," Teamsters Local 70 Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Mack said.

A Waste Management spokesman said the garbage workers' union has refused to come to the bargaining table to address some of the union's concerns, which include a new collective bargaining agreement that the company has proposed that would prohibit employees from calling a strike or walking out on the job. It also mandates stricter rules for driver safety and disciplinary actions for those who don't comply.

FULL story at link.