Sanitation workers at Republic Services’ Cumming facility went on strike at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, which means they aren’t picking up trash. Their location provides commercial trash pick-up within a 20-mile radius and residential trash pick-up for tens of thousands of people in Alpharetta.
The 33 Teamsters Union members joined a growing number of unionized Republic Services workers on strike nationally after contract negotiations that started in March between the Teamsters and management hit an impasse. The workers are striking over unfair labor practices and are demanding pay increases, better health insurance, and safer scheduling and work practices.
Ronald James, 66, has worked as a garbage truck driver for Republic Services in Cumming for 10 years. He said working conditions have been “going downhill” for at least six…