Trash collection stoppage disrupts Sammamish residents during strike
Solid waste collection came to a halt in Sammamish for 11 days when Teamsters union leaders launched a strike against Republic Services.
The picket line extended to Sammamish in solidarity after a work strike began in Lacey, Washington on July 9. The work stoppage ended everywhere on July 21 once a contract agreement was reached.
During the stoppage, Republic Services coordinated with the Sammamish Public Works department to offer drop-off sites. Residents hauled bagged garbage, compost, and recyclables in their vehicles to the sites. Drop-off locations included Beaver Lake Park and Building 120 (formerly Central Washington University).
On July 18, Mayor Karen Howe and City Manager Scott MacColl signed a letter to Republic Services urging the company to end the labor dispute immediately.
“It helped residents understand that the City was pushing Republic’s management to resolve the issue ASAP and that the City is reliant on Republic trucks and personnel for site management,” Howe said in an email to the Sammamish Independent.
Residents had a range of reactions to the work stoppage.
Manish Ajmera, 54, was surprised that the stoppage lasted only 11 days. He appreciated the City’s handling of the situation. However, he was concerned that working conditions had reached a point where striking was necessary.
“It definitely feels bad when it strikes us, like it affects us. But then we have to see that they are also helping us, they are important utility providers. Their wages and their wellbeing should be taken care of,” Ajmera said.
Kavya Mohan, 33, on the other hand, felt that the strike took too long to end. Mohan was unaware of the option to haul her trash to the drop-off sites.
“Communication on this issue could have been sooner, helping us save time each week,” Mohan said.
Howe received several complaints from residents about the long lines at the drop-off sites and overall stress of the situation.
“I understand their P.O.V. (point of view) and their frustration. This was not something the City precipitated but I feel the staff did the best they could with the resources they had available to them,” Howe said in the email.
While regular services resumed on Monday, July 21, that meant residents with regular Friday pickup saw a great deal of trash pile up and were concerned not only about their trash but their upcoming bills as well. Republic Services representative Wendy Weiker confirmed that Sammamish customers will receive credit for each missed pickup.
“Our billing team is already processing those customer credits to appear on the next billing cycle invoices, and we will follow up with your staff on the other cost and fee items as soon as possible,” Weiker said in an email responding to the City’s letter.
