Time To Reconsider Republic?
I just got a robocall from the good folks at Republic Services, the behemoth trash pick-up conglomerate. Apparently the work stoppage is over and they will be working hard to catch up to their regular schedule.
This stoppage has effected many cities in Orange County that contract with Republic including our fair city. The cause? A contract dispute. In Boston. That’s 2974 miles away.
According to the Voice of OC the local agreement permits this sort of thing. Here’s what is reported:
“Under the union’s contract with Republic Services, workers are allowed to honor picket lines when workers at other facilities go on strike in an effort to add pressure on the company.”
This seems like a recipe for trouble, and we’re the ones getting it, even though the “picket line” is 3000 miles away.
Walking out on a basic public service, and a monopoly, seems like a breach of faith with the public. But we’re dealing with the Teamsters here.
The Teamsters obviously believe this cross-nation strategy will intimidate Republic to play ball in Boston, and of course anywhere else Republic’s tentacles reach. Are we then to expect more work stoppages if, say, Republic gets into a labor dispute in Minneapolis, Denver or Seattle? I don’t know.
But the trash contract is up in less than two years and it may be time to consider a more local option next year.
I’m sure Steve Sherry will be demanding a full audit of the Republic contract any day now. It’s worth millions and he’s obviously a fiscal conservative.
Ever since Republic bought the old contractor Waste Management, or whatever it was called, service has been worse. From missed pickups to trucks leaking hydraulic fluid, Republic is a prime example of why evergreen corporate monopolies are bad for local services.
Republic is a terrible, corrupt company. They have been lobbying the city council hard the past six months itching for a no-bid extension. I’m sure Republic is going to offer up all sorts of goodies to the City too in exchange for a ten year extension. If the city council allows itself to be corrupted by Republic it’s recall time.
It is time for a change. We have fulfilled our end of the contract but now labor issues in Boston are somehow our problem?!?!
It is way past time to find a new waste hauler.
My vote was to dump these losers after their strike in 2022.
Now this.
What’s next?
Let’s leave them in the dust and pick up a company whose going-ons 3000 miles away will have no effect on us.