Trash overflows in Chula Vista during ‘nationwide strike’ of Republic Services by Teamsters

Trash piled up at a fast food restaurant in January during the last Republic Services labor shutdown File photo by Chris Stone Times of San Diego Chosen local union workers are honoring a strike in Boston by not spanning the picket line leaving trash bins overflowing in Chula Vista and other South Bay communities Republic Services acknowledged that the temporary work stoppage has extended to the San Diego-area and revealed officers are making adjustments to our operations and working to resume regular operation as fast as practicable Residents are advised to leave their containers out the company declared in a declaration We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause Trash pickup has been delayed for several days in Chula Vista as Republic is its only trash company Mayor John McCann called an exigency City Council meeting on Monday to obtain more information from Republic and take efforts to address the accumulation of trash Residents deserve a clean and safe ecosystem and we are taking immediate attempts to address the impacts of the strike and sponsorship resolution efforts McCann disclosed in a news release The drivers in Chula Vista have a solid contract but Chula Vista is the only city in San Diego County being targeted That is unfair to our residents The mayor also encouraged households to leave bins out and reported those with questions or concerns should contact his office jmccann chulavistaca gov or - - Jaime Vasquez secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local which represents the Chula Vista Republic workers did not respond to a request for comment The Teamsters Union has expanded the strike from Boston to other locations including Chula Vista San Jose and Stockton with more than union employees striking or honoring picket lines In a news release the Teamsters called the action a nationwide strike and accused Republic Services of burning through massive profits and funneling money to undeserving corrupt executives We will flood the streets and shut down garbage-collection in state after state explained Teamsters General President Sean M O Brien Workers are uniting nationwide and we will get the wages and benefits we ve earned come hell or high water Chula Vista also took action during a month-long trash strike from - in San Diego Commuities saw refuse pile up around the holiday season as more than workers walked off the job Then-City Manager Maria Kachadoorian declared a general physical condition exigency which was fast agreed to by the City Council The declaration would have allowed the city to hire contractors to collect the refuse and bill Republic Services City crews picked up more than pounds of trash during the strike