Republic Services Workers Authorize Strike in Buckeye

The labor dispute centers on demands for better treatment and fair compensation. Daniel Freitag, a two-year veteran of the facility, described management’s conduct as increasingly hostile since bargaining began. The union alleges that the company’s refusal to address workplace concerns has left them no choice but to authorize industrial action.

This confrontation arrives on the heels of a turbulent year for the company, which saw hundreds of Teamsters strike across the country. Republic previously acknowledged that these management-led stoppages resulted in $50 million in losses for shareholders. Karla Schumann, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 104, stated that the union is prepared to hold the company accountable if negotiations fail to produce a contract that meets their members' requirements. With the full backing of the 1.3 million-member Teamsters organization, the local union is now awaiting a response from Republic’s leadership.