Seattle Teamsters OK new contract with Waste Management (5 year contract)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/92639664.html



Story Published: May 2, 2010 at 6:39 PM PDT Story Updated: May 2, 2010 at 7:02 PM PDT

SEATTLE - Members of Teamsters Local 174 voted overwhelmingly to approve an agreement on a new five-year contract with Waste Management, averting the possibility of disruptions to garbage service.

Teamsters OK'd the contract by a lopsided margin of 96 percent, said said Mike Gonzales, spokesman for Teamsters Local 174.

The details of the new agreement have not been released. But Waste Management officials earlier expressed their approval of the terms.

"We are delighted to reach agreement on a new contract that delivers a solid compensation package to our hardworking and professional drivers," Jackie Lang, spokesperson for Waste Management, said last week.

The Teamsters and Waste Management reached the tentative agreement on April 26 - just hours after the union accused Waste Management of threatening to lock them out if they didn't accept the company's latest offer.

The union members have been working without a contract since their previous contract with the company expired at the end of March. The workers' contract with Allied Waste expired at the same time, but they've reached a tentative agreement since.

FULL story at link.