HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.—After nearly a week of being on strike, some of the 400 workers at Republic Services began returning to work Dec. 16 after reaching a tentative agreement to resume waste collection services.
The agreement is now being finalized for Republic Services Huntington Beach and Anaheim workers, Adan Alverez, spokesperson for Teamsters Local 396, the union behind the strike said.
The strike began Dec. 10 after workers pleaded for an end to what they called unfair labor practices and contracts occurring at Republic Services.
Since then, thousands of residents have been impacted by a lack of waste pickups in Placentia, Garden Grove, Yorba Linda, Fullerton, and Fountain Valley.
As workers start trickling back, the outcome, if any, of their specific accusations towards the company is unknown.
According to the union’s Alverez, once an agreement is finalized, the accusations would be made known.
The timeline of the finalization of the agreement is pending but will require a vote by union members.
“The workers will go back to work once the contract is ratified,” Alverez told The Epoch Times.
Meanwhile, the City of Anaheim is optimistic trash pickup services will slowly begin to normalize beginning Dec. 16.
Anaheim anticipates limited services for priority sites, including hospitals and restaurants, but expects to expand to residential pick-up next week.
Some residential pickup, however, will be available for Anaheim residents with Dec. 16 and Dec. 17 pick-up dates. Officials warned residents to remain patient, though, as some service may not resume until next week.
“Please know your city has played a leading role in getting us to where we are by advocating for our residents and businesses,” according to a statement on the city’s website.
As the agreement is being finalized, Republic Services indicated it would be providing additional staffing to Huntington Beach.
“The need for regular trash services in our city is of critical importance,” said Barbara Delgleize, the mayor of Huntington Beach. “I encourage Republic to work towards an expedient resolution, so that they may meet their contractual obligations to our community.”
A request for comment from Republic Services was not returned by deadline.
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