Republic Services sanitation drivers returned to work today with a priority on catching up on missed trash bins, after their picket line moved from Orange County to Los Angeles County. 

Trash pickups were first halted earlier this month after a labor dispute in Boston triggered a national action that has mobilized workers across different regions in solidarity.

Republic Service officials said they have mobilized additional employees to help speed up the process and have asked that customers continue to leave out trash bins until they have been collected 

“Drivers returned to work today at all three Orange County locations affected by picketers, and we are working as quickly as possible to resume regular service,” Republic Service officials said. 

Last week, roughly 1,000 Orange County trash collectors refused to show up to work in solidarity with striking workers in Boston, temporarily disrupting local waste collection services.

Under the union’s contract with Republic Services, workers can honor picket lines to apply more pressure on the company when workers at another facility go on strike. 

The Teamsters currently represents nearly 8,000 Republic waste collection workers across America.

Cities including Anaheim, Brea, Garden Grove, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Placentia, Seal Beach, and Yorba Linda experienced delays.

City officials continue to encourage residents to leave bins at the curb, as Republic workers will focus on missed routes throughout the week. 

Anaheim released a statement today that Republic should be fully back on schedule by next week. 

Santa Ana officials said there are currently 30 trucks servicing residents and 39 trucks servicing commercial businesses, with additional help from out of state trucks to support missed routes.

While services return in Orange County, neighboring Los Angeles County is applying pressure, with Teamsters Local 396 honoring picket lines in Long Beach and Gardena. 

In Boston, union workers continue to strike, demanding better benefits and pay. 

In a press release made by the union on July 9 said over 2,000 Teamsters are on strike and actively honoring picket lines in cities across the country. 

“Republic Services has been threatening a war with American workers for years,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien, “and now, they’ve got one.”

In an emailed statement Republic Services said they took issue with Teamsters actions, saying they offer quality pay, health benefits and safety to their workers, and are trying to work with the union which has utilized harsh tactics. 

According to their statement, Republic Services is concerned that the Teamsters want a provision to expand local disputes across the country as well as have workers join their healthcare plan as opposed to the company’s.

Company officials also accused the union of using harsh tactics – including slashing tires and tampering with gas tanks, adding “police reports have been filed.”

“Teamsters leaders have instigated violent actions and threats to prevent our trucks from reaching customers,” reads the statement, which highlights that company officials “stand ready to meet at any time with the Teamsters when they are ready to re-engage.”

Communications Project Manager for the Teamsters, Matt McQuaid, did not respond to questions about Republic Services allegations, but issued a statement saying wages don’t compare to competitors and Republic officials are refusing to consider an Amnesty Agreement that would shield all members from disciplinary action related to alleged conduct during the strike.

McQuaid added in the email, “Everything that has happened since the beginning of this strike is the fault of Republic Services.”