Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC) today confirmed that its 481 drivers and operators represented by Teamsters Local 70 will return to their jobs on Monday, July 30. Union members today ratified a new, five-year contract with the company.
"We achieved our critical objectives and laid a solid foundation for a more successful future. First, we had an obligation to our employees, their families and the communities we serve to improve driver safety. Second, we wanted a contract that resolved issues without the threat of a strike or lockout for the next five years," said James Devlin, area vice president.
The company and the union will now work together to integrate the company's key Life Critical safety rules into its operations, to enhance the safety of employees and the public. The new contract provides a fair, consistent program of training and progressive discipline, including discharge of any employees unwilling or unable to comply with key safety standards.
The new contract also includes a standard "no strike - no lockout" clause, in which the parties agree there will be no strikes or lockouts during the term of the five year contract. The union and company agreed to a binding dispute resolution process in which any disputes the parties cannot resolve on their own are submitted to a neutral third party arbitrator for resolution.
Devlin said that the new agreement provides employees with wage increases in every year of the agreement, along with increased company contributions to healthcare and pension funds.
Waste Management said that it appreciates the patience and support of its customers during the labor dispute. Customers will not be charged for any lapses in normal services. The company expects to provide details to customers on arrangements being made in the customers' next regular billing statement.
"We recognize that the past few weeks have been difficult for our customers, our employees and the company. However, we had a duty to address parts of the old agreement that adversely affected safety and reliability of service, and needed those issues resolved at the bargaining table. We are happy we have reached agreement and are eager to welcome our employees back to their jobs, to serve the needs of our East Bay customers.
"I wish to personally acknowledge the vital leadership of Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums in the negotiation of this fair, balanced contract. He brought the parties to the bargaining table and kept the talks on a steady, productive course," Devlin said.
Waste Management locked out Teamsters Local 70 members on July 3, after the previous contract expired and the union threatened the possibility of service interruptions and strikes. The company then deployed temporary replacement drivers to provide collection and disposal services until it could negotiate a fair, balanced contract with Local 70.