Teamsters, Waste Management flex muscles over contract

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/418286_garbage11.html

Sunday, April 11, 2010 Last updated 7:49 p.m. PT

By SHOMARI STONE
KOMO-TV STAFF

Garbage haulers approved a contract offer from Allied Waste on Sunday -- but the Teamsters union is still at odds with Waste Management over its latest contract offer.

Amid the uncertainty, the Teamsters had a rally at their Tukwila headquarters, and 850,000 Waste Management customers in King and Snohomish counties waited to see whether there would be a disruption in service.

The union workers could go on strike - or Waste Management could lock them out and bring in replacements. Everything is up in the air right now.

Both sides are flexing their muscles and waiting to see who will make the next move.

"This company is finding a way to feed their greedy pockets," said Longinue Shipp, who's been a Waste Management garbage truck driver for the past five years.

The union that represents Shipp and the other roughly 450 garbage haulers has not accepted Waste Management's final labor contract offer.

Shipp says he feels the labor dispute is "unnecessary."

FULL story at link.