OAKLAND, Calif., July 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Members from Teamsters Local 70 overwhelmingly ratified a new five-year agreement with Waste Management Inc. (WMI) of Alameda County, voting 363-3 to accept a contact that includes strong wage and pension increases and protection from future cost increases in health care.
With the ratification, the 481 Local 70 members who were locked out by WMI on July 2 will return to work on Monday, July 30.
"As the vote indicates, this was a very good contract for our members," said Chuck Mack, Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local 70. "However, we believe that everyone wins with this agreement, the members, the company and especially the customers who have been inconvenienced by this dispute."
In addition to the wage and pension increases and the health care cost protection, the contract included strong picket line language.
"Our members are looking forward to returning to work and to their customers," said Larry Dias, business agent for Local 70. "I am proud of our members because they stood strong throughout this whole process."
The members were able to remain unified through the lockout thanks to the support of the Teamsters International Solid Waste Division and the Alameda Labor Council.
"The Solid Waste Division is proud that these members were able to receive a strong contract," said Bob Morales, Director of the Teamsters International Solid Waste Division. "The division will always be ready to commit the support and resources of our union to any members that find themselves in this type of situation."
