Teamsters strike disrupts trash collection in Canton

The impact of an ongoing work stoppage by hundreds of waste collection workers is being felt across Canton as residents braced for a week without curbside collection heading into a busy holiday weekend and another stretch of hot summer weather.

More than a dozen Massachusetts communities are said to be affected by the Teamsters Local 25 strike, which commenced at midnight on Monday following unsuccessful negotiations with Republic Services, one of the nation’s leading waste disposal companies.

In a statement issued Tuesday morning on the decision to strike, Teamsters 25 warned of major service disruptions affecting hundreds of thousands of people across the commonwealth with the possibility that picket lines could extend nationwide if progress on a new labor deal is not achieved soon.

“If your rubbish is piling up on the Fourth of July, remember who’s responsible for it: the white-collar criminals who run Republic Services,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Republic Teamsters didn’t start this fight, but we will finish it. Our members will do whatever it takes to finally get the respect they’re owed.”

Sean Martin, a spokesman for Teamsters Local 25, said the union is seeking a contract with improved wages, better benefits, and stronger labor protections. “The multibillion-dollar waste corporation has refused to give workers a fair deal, pushing them to the picket line,” said Martin.

Republic Services, for its part, said the company already provides its greater Boston employees with “competitive wages, an industry-leading healthcare plan, pension plan, and a generous time-off and holiday plan.”

On Tuesday, a spokesperson from the company’s media relations department noted that Republic Services had entered negotiations with the Teamsters “intending to raise wages,” adding that they remain “steadfast in [their] commitment to good-faith negotiations for a fair agreement.” At the same time, they stressed that “safety is non-negotiable,” and in a follow-up statement issued just hours later, the company strongly condemned what they alleged were “dangerous actions by the Teamsters and their outside agitators” on day two of the strike.

“They slashed tires on occupied vehicles, harassed drivers serving customers, threatened employees and sabotaged trucks,” noted a company spokesperson. “This isn’t negotiating — it’s criminal behavior. These reckless actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for safety and public welfare. True leadership would prioritize responsible dialogue over dangerous street tactics.”

As for the current service disruptions, Republic Services said it had been planning for the possibility of a work stoppage and have already begun the process of mobilizing relief drivers from other areas while focusing on “prioritizing routes and optimizing routing efficiency.”

“Many customers may experience a modified service schedule as a result of the union’s work stoppage,” said a company spokesperson. “We will communicate any schedule changes to customers. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

In Canton, officials first notified residents that there would be no trash collection on Tuesday while advising those who had already placed their bins at the curb to “bring them back until further notice.”

In a follow-up public announcement, Canton officials said they had been informed by Republic Services that curbside collection operations would resume starting Monday, July 7. “As a result, residents are asked not to place trash or recycling at the curb for the remainder of this week,” the announcement stated. “Collection efforts will resume next week to catch up on missed pickups and restore normal service as quickly as possible.”

“The town of Canton appreciates the continued patience and understanding of its residents during this disruption,” the statement concluded. “The town will continue to provide timely updates as more information becomes available.”

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Posted by Jay Turner on Jul 4 2025. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.