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Workers at Republic Services in Ohio Vote Teamsters Union
(Zanesville, OH) – Drivers, operators, mechanics, billing coordinators and scale-house clerks who work for Republic Services at the Pine Grove Landfill in Amanda, Ohio, voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining Teamsters Local 637 on Friday. The 16-worker unit reached out to the Teamsters Union seeking a strong voice to address their workplace concerns.
According to Bryce Anderson, a Republic driver and former member of Teamsters Local 284 in Columbus, the most important issue for the Ohio waste workers was job security.
“I had been a Teamster before, and I knew the value of working under a union contract. After watching things decline at Republic the past two years, my co-workers and I decided it was time to win the safety and security of Teamster representation,” said Anderson.
Republic workers were also frustrated by the lack of consistent work rules and management’s indifference to their problems, noted Anderson, adding that the decision to unionize came down to winning a voice in the workplace to win fairness and respect.
“I want to thank Chuck Stiles for all of his great work to help make this win happen and this determined group of workers for sticking together and staying strong,” said Scott Wilson, President of Local 637 in Zanesville, Ohio. “I also want to thank Republic employees around the country for their support and encouragement.”
Throughout the organizing campaign, Republic employees represented by the Teamsters in Georgia, Ohio, California and Washington state wrote personal words of encouragement to the workers in the unit to show their support.
“This is one of the most tight-knit units I’ve ever helped to organize,” said Chuck Stiles, Assistant Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste, Recycling and Related Industries Division. “These workers were so close and committed that they were already union—they just didn’t know it yet. Now all they need is a strong Teamster contract.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.Teamster.org or follow us on Twitter @TeamsterPower.