Solid Waste & Recycling Organizing

WHEREAS, the Teamsters have a long-standing commitment to organize solid waste and recycling, a core Teamster industry whose jobs can’t be outsourced and an industry in which we work closely with environmental organizations; and

WHEREAS, a multi-year effort involving a partnership with the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), worker justice groups and the environmental movement has led to a major policy change in the city of Los Angeles that has rationalized commercial solid waste and recycling policy; and

WHEREAS, the change has led to a labor peace agreement with the Teamsters, giving the union the opportunity to organize all commercial solid waste and recycling workers in the city; and

WHEREAS, the Teamsters have successfully tapped the militancy of workers in this industry to win significant victories at WCA in Houston and Waste Management in San Diego.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED at this 29th International Convention that the Teamsters are committed to organizing workers at the Republic Recycling facility in Las Vegas; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the IBT is committed to duplicating in New York City the policy changes the union and our partners won in Los Angeles; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED that the Teamsters remain committed to organizing in this vital industry, building worker movements and working with our partners to bring respect, dignity and power to solid waste and recycling workers.