Local News
Republic Services says trash pickup is happening despite the strike across local communities.
Congressman Seth Moulton and other elected officials are coming out to support the striking waste collectors as the negotiations enter their ninth day.
“You are standing up for working people across America,” Moulton told workers while on the picket line Tuesday, according to WBZ. “Republic is repeatedly failing to put a fair deal on the table. If you just look at what Republic is paying compared to other trash collection companies in the area, they’re underpaid.”
On July 1, 450 Republic Services waste collection workers in Massachusetts went on strike after their contract expired. Teamsters Local 25 has continued negotiations with the company for better wages, improved benefits, and stronger labor protections.
Last week, a meeting between the union and the company with a federal mediator did not result in a new contract.
Teamsters Local 25 posted on X that members in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Seattle have joined the picket lines in solidarity as negotiations continue.
Republic Services says it offers employees a competitive wage, benefit plans, and a holiday and paid-time-off program.
In a statement on X last week, Moulton said, “Our communities simply cannot function without sanitation workers … these men and women deserve to be treated like the essential workers they are.”
On July 1, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn joined strikers in Roxbury. On X, he wrote, “It’s critical that we support our working families & the right to collectively bargain.”
This morning, I went to Roxbury to support @Teamsters25 waste collection workers on strike seeking fair wages & protections. It’s critical that we support our working families & the right to collectively bargain. These are our neighbors & volunteers in our communities. #bospoli pic.twitter.com/rH5ymFsMcY
— Ed Flynn 愛德華費連 (@EdforBoston) July 1, 2025
State Sen. Lydia Edwards also joined in solidarity, saying on X, “These workers—who keep our neighborhoods clean—are simply asking for competitive wages, better benefits, and labor protections.”
But Republic Services has refused to negotiate in good faith.
I stand with the workers of Local 25. They are essential workers who deserve contracts that reflect the value of their work.#mapoli #bospoli
2/2 pic.twitter.com/DnzG0qUMFf
— Lydia Edwards (@LydiaMEdwards) July 1, 2025
The strike affects trash and recycling services in more than a dozen Massachusetts towns.
On Tuesday evening, Republic Services said it had collection trucks on the ground, providing services to all municipalities, including:
• Beverly
• Canton
• Danvers
• Gloucester
• Ipswich
• Lynnfield
• Malden
• Manchester-by-the-Sea
• Marblehead
• North Reading
• Peabody
• Swampscott
• Wakefield
• Watertown
Republic Services expects this service level to continue throughout the week.
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