Teamsters urge rejection of contract

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002 | 11:03 a.m.

Teamsters Local 631, which in July organized more than 300 recycling workers of Las Vegas garbage hauler Republic Services of Southern Nevada, is fighting the company over what it claims are tactics to stall contract negotiations.

The union, which already represents 1,200 Republic Services disposal workers, said the company's recycling workers suffer from substandard wages, no health and pension plan and unsafe working conditions.

"The union started contract negotiations in August and had hoped to have a contract in place in November," said Kevin Hardison, a Local 631 business agent. "But the company constantly cancelled meetings, and one of their attorneys was reading a golf magazine while we were trying to negotiate a contract."

The 300 recycling workers are scheduled to vote on the company's "best and final offer" on Sunday. Both sides have agreed to a 4-percent raise for the workers.

But Hardison said the union has recommended against the company offer because Republic rejected the Teamsters demand that the raise be retroactive to July 1. Also rejected were just-cause termination rules and a Teamsters health and pension plan.

Republic disputed the allegations, saying it has been negotiating in good faith with the union and that its proposal includes health insurance and a 401K plan.

The company said it also received written assurance from the union that it will honor a "No Strike-No Lockout" provision.