UPDATE at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, July 18
The trash strike impacting Marblehead and several other North Shore cities and towns will continue into the weekend, after Republic Services and striking Teamster union workers failed to reach a contract agreement on Friday, day 18 of the work stoppage.
Marblehead’s Public Health Director Andrew Petty sent a Code Red message to all residents announcing that Republic replacement workers will be back on Saturday to collect trash missed earlier this week. Do not place recycling curbside, as it will not be picked up. The Transfer Station will be open Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-3:25 p.m. (and closed from 12-1 p.m.).
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Friday is day 18 of the Republic Services trash strike that has impacted Marblehead and several cities and towns across the North Shore and the nation.
Republic and the Teamsters Local 25 are back at the negotiating table today in hopes of reaching an agreement. The Teamsters walked off the job July 1, demanding more competitive wages and benefits.
The dispute has reached the courts, with Republic accusing the Teamsters of harassing replacement workers and stealing a recycling truck and several North Shore mayors filing a complaint against Republic in Salem Superior Court. Marblehead did not join the complaint. Gov. Maura Healey and other state leaders have urged Republic (a national company) to settle the strike.
Here in town, the Public Health Department has opened the Transfer Station to all residents so they can drop-off their own trash and recycling. Republic replacement workers are collecting trash, but residents report spotty pickups.
The Transfer Station is open Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-3:25 p.m. (and is closed for lunch 12-1 p.m.)
The Current contacted Public Health Director Andrew Petty and Board of Health members to ask for an update, whether there is a plan if the strike continues long term and why Marblehead hasn’t gotten involved with other impacted cities and towns in court.
“You’ll get that information on Tuesday from Andrew and the rest of the board,” member Tom McMahon responded. The BoH is set to meet Tuesday, July 22, 7:30 p.m. at the Mary Alley Building. The meeting is also available remotely HERE.
