Waste Management workers ratify historic contract

TUKWILA, WA (September 5, 2024) — This week marks a dramatic change for a group of Waste Management Scale Operators and Operations Specialists, as they go to work for the first time with the protections of a Teamster contract.

The contract, which was unanimously ratified over the weekend, provides substantial increases to wages, medical, and retirement benefits for the group of almost 30 workers at eight different Waste Management facilities in the Puget Sound area.

Waste Management Operations Specialists and Scalehouse Operators celebrate. Photo: Teamsters 174

“It is difficult to overstate how monumentally important this contract is for these workers,” said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. “Not only will they have the highest-quality, affordable Teamster healthcare and a Teamster pension, but most saw wage increases in the double-digits – a truly life-changing difference for a group largely composed of women who had been historically underpaid and disrespected. This contract rights the wrongs of the past, and this group is extremely proud that their fight for dignity and respect has paid off so well for themselves and their families.”

These Waste Management employees were the first of their work classification nationwide to successfully organize, and have now joined Teamsters Local 174 following this contract ratification vote.

“It was truly an honor to have been part of the team that achieved such an unprecedented contract,” said Hicks. “This new group clearly shares the brand of militant leadership our Union embodies. I would also like to thank the nearly seven hundred sister and brother Teamsters at the three separate Locals of 117, 174 and 231, who work for Waste Management and fully supported this new group of employees in their fight for a fair contract.”

Waste Management drivers, mechanics, and washers and Teamsters organizers celebrating their contract win in March.

Waste Management drivers, mechanics, and washers across Skagit and King counties ratified a new contract in March, with Teamsters Locals 117, 174 and 231 jointly bargaining, combining their power as workers. That jointly negotiated contract provides some of the largest immediate wage increases ever negotiated by Teamsters at Waste Management, and includes strong pension increases and maintenance of top-tier health care benefits.

After ratifying their own contract this past weekend, Scale Operators and Operations Specialists at Waste Management will now also have access to the pension, healthcare, and wages of a strong union contract.

“This is truly the union difference in action,” said Hicks.

READY FOR A VOICE AT WORK?  Get more information about how you can join together with co-workers and negotiate for better wages and working conditions. Or go ahead and contact a union organizer today!