Across Massachusetts, 15 communities were affected by a current strike by Republic Trash workers.
Teamsters Local 25 trash collectors and sanitation workers went on strike at midnight amid a contract dispute with Republic Services.
The strike affects trash collection across the North Shore, including communities such as Lynnfield, Marblehead, Peabody, and Swampscott.
“If your rubbish is piling up on the Fourth of July, remember who’s responsible for it: the white collar criminals who run Republic Services,” said Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien in a statement.
O’Brien said the 450 union employees on strike demand improved wages, better benefits, and stronger labor protections.
They will do “whatever it takes,” he said, “to get the respect they’re owed.”
The strike was launched by workers right after the expiration of their contracts with the waste management company Republic Services, due to stalled negotiations between Republic and Teamsters Local 25, according to the union.
“The multibillion-dollar waste corporation has refused to give workers a fair deal, pushing them to the picket line,” Teamsters said on their website.
The company shared a statement expressing their disappointment in the recourse to a work stoppage, instead of a continuation of negotiations in “good faith.”
“We currently provide our Greater Boston employees with competitive wages, an industry-leading healthcare plan, pension plan, and a generous time-off and holiday plan,” the company said. “We value our employees and entered negotiations intending to raise wages.”
They also assured affected communities that they would take the necessary steps to provide service.
In an interview with the Daily Item, the Republic Services media team said, “We respect the rights of our employees to engage in collective bargaining, and we will continue to meet with the union to reach a fair and competitive contract that is beneficial to our employees, our customers, and our company.
“We are hopeful that the union will not call a work stoppage, but if it does, we have a contingency plan in place to continue serving the community,” the company stated.
Lynnfield
The town of Lynnfield shared an official statement on its website stating that it and its unions “play no role in these labor negotiations. The strike impacts businesses and municipalities throughout the region and state.”
The town included a statement from the Republic Officials in its announcement to the community.
The statement read, “We will not run any routes in your City/Town on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. If possible, please have your residents not put trash or recycling on the curb on Tuesday. We planned for the possibility of a work stoppage and are mobilizing Republic Services relief drivers to cover routes moving forward. We will communicate service impacts with you tomorrow.”
Republic Services said it has negotiated in “good faith to provide our employees with a fair and competitive compensation and benefits package. It is truly unfortunate that our latest offer was voted down. At this time, we are unable to predict the duration of the labor strike. We are committed to working with the union to reach an agreement. We will keep you apprised of the situation.”
In the announcement, town officials stated that it is securing contingency plans for trash and recycling collection, which will be announced today via the town’s website, text, email, social media, and code red communication.
“We will continue to keep you informed as this widespread labor dispute continues.”
Marblehead
In a statement from the Marblehead Health Department, it said that the town’s transfer station will be open to all residents this week to dispose of all their curbside trash and recycling at no cost.
According to a statement posted to the Marblehead Police Department Facebook page, it stated, “We are asking that barrels be removed from the curb.”
Peabody
Mayor of Peabody Edward A. Bettencourt announced that the dispute between Republic Services and its employee union is a private company matter.
“The City of Peabody is not involved in this negotiation,” Bettencourt said in a statement.
Residents should expect a slight delay in trash disposal, he said, but the City is working on contingency plans should the strike continue.
Teamsters Local 25 set up four picket lines in Peabody on Tuesday morning.
Swampscott
According to Interim Town Administrator/Director of DPW Gino Cresta, “The Town of Swampscott is currently exploring options for both trash and recycling pickup should the strike continue for more than a couple of days. We will continue to provide updates on the Town’s website as new information becomes available.”
The town issued a follow up statement on Tuesday stating, “We have been notified by our trash contractor, Republic, that trash and recycling will not be collected this week. Republic has assured us that they will resume full operations on Monday, July 7th, and will collect two weeks worth of trash & recycling. Please do your best to keep your trash in covered containers. We will update the Town’s website at https://www.swampscottma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/republic-waste-strike as additional information is received. Thank you for your cooperation & understanding.”
