Garbage Strike Continues: Union Rejects Republic Services Latest Contract Offer

Republic Services said in a statement Thursday that Teamsters Local 542 has rejected their latest contract offer, extending the garbage strike for Chula Vista and parts of San Diego.

"The company’s offer featured a highly competitive wage and total compensation package and had the support and encouragement of city partners and leadership," Republic Services said in a statement.

Republic Services said they have met with the union for negotiations 15 times, including five with a federal mediator for the past three weeks.

NBC 7 has reached out to Teamsters Local 542 for a statement.

Around 300 members of the Teamsters Local 542 union told NBC 7 they were forced to stop working and show their dissatisfaction with the lack of an acceptable labor contract for them.

In the meantime, Republic Services said their emergency operation plan will continue to be implemented.

"Our Blue Crew relief drivers remain on the job and continue to make progress servicing our customers," Republic Services said.

Republic Services issued the following recommendations for customers affected by the strike:

• Take out the garbage on the assigned day of garbage collection.
• Place excess trash in bags on the side of the trash bin.
• If the bin is not picked up on the scheduled day, customers are asked to leave the bin on the sidewalk and it will be picked up "as soon as possible."
• During this time the yard waste, recycling and collection of large objects will be suspended.
• Commercial garbage collection will be limited, giving priority to businesses affecting public health such as hospitals.

Chula Vista residents and businesses may take their trash to the Otay Landfill at 1700 Maxwell Rd, Chula Vista, 91911 during regular business hours. The city said residents will not be charged but must show proof of city residency. And businesses will need to identify as city businesses.