The Teamsters are ramping up efforts this summer to protect waste workers nationwide. Today, Teamster members from coast to coast held actions to mark “Global Garbage Man Day,” putting their solidarity on display and putting employers on notice.

“On this year’s Global Garbage Man Day, let’s take a moment to honor and celebrate the incredible men and women who keep our cities clean, safe, and thriving,” said Chuck Stiles, Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division. “Let’s also mark this day by taking action and holding private waste companies accountable, particularly in Chicago, where more than 2,000 members of Local 731 are united to win a strong contract.”

Local 731 members are fighting for higher wages, improved working conditions, and language guaranteeing the right to honor picket lines in new contracts with Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, LakeShore Disposal, and several other private commercial waste companies for the city. 

Waste workers from across the country joined forces to show their solidarity with Local 731 members, including Teamsters from Atlanta (Local 728), Phoenix (Local 104), and the San Francisco Bay Area (Local 350).

“It’s wonderful to see Teamsters across the country standing with us in our fight,” said Mark Conroy, a Local 731 member at Republic Services. “We contribute so much to our communities and we deserve the protections of a strong contract. Our contracts safeguard our rights, improve our working conditions, and empower us to challenge any attempts by companies to undermine our rights. 

This is a fight not only for us but for future generations of workers who will follow in our footsteps,” Conroy said.

By standing together for new comprehensive contract provisions, Teamsters in Chicago have the opportunity to bring about positive change in negotiations later this summer.

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