Members of the Teamsters local at Waste Management in Chicago have voted in favor of a new five-year labor agreement, which the union considers to be the most lucrative deal ever negotiated by the 450-worker group. The agreement includes several improvements to benefits, contract language, and working conditions. This is the first group of workers in the Chicagoland area to reach a deal.
Local 731, the union representing Waste Management workers, is also currently negotiating agreements for more than 2,500 waste workers at other employers including Republic Services and Waste Connections. Although the details of these negotiations have not been disclosed, it is likely that the union will aim for similar improvements in terms of benefits and working conditions.
This new labor agreement with Waste Management signifies a positive development for the union and the workers in terms of increased job security and improved working conditions. It sets a benchmark for future negotiations within the waste management industry in the Chicagoland area, and highlights the importance of strong union representation in protecting workers’ rights and interests. With ongoing negotiations with other waste management companies, the union hopes to achieve similar gains for workers in the region.