LYNN — Massachusetts Representatives Seth Moulton, Ayanna Pressley, and Stephen F. Lynch further addressed the ongoing contract dispute between Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 by presenting Republic Services with a pressing letter Monday.
The letter, addressed to Republic Services CEO Jon Vander Ark, urged him to negotiate a fair contract for more than 400 members of Teamsters Local 25 employed by Republic Services in Massachusetts.
Teamsters Local 25 Union trash collectors and sanitation workers went on strike on July 1 to demand competitive wages and comprehensive benefits in line with industry standards, including affordable healthcare coverage.
Lawmakers told Republic Services in the letter that reaching an agreement that “reflects the dignity” of its waste and recycling collection workers will also reflect positively on the company.
“This contract represents an opportunity for Republic Services to acknowledge the vital role your company, through the sweat equity of your employees, plays in our communities,” the letter reads.
Massachusetts 6th Congressional District Rep. Moulton explained why meeting essential workers’ needs will benefit the North Shore community as a whole.
“When workers’ needs are ignored, it’s not just a labor problem — the entire community suffers. These are the men and women who keep our cities clean and safe. They’re also our friends and neighbors. If they’re underpaid or lack healthcare, you see higher turnover, staffing shortages, and disruptions like the one we’re seeing now. Investing in workers is how we prevent that cycle and keep essential services running,” he wrote to The Daily Item.
“No successful community can function without reliable municipal services — the people who power those services are essential. If we shortchange workers on fair pay or healthcare, we undermine the very system residents rely on. Supporting workers and serving residents isn’t an either/or — it’s the same goal, because strong communities depend on strong labor standards,” he added.
The letter showed concern for the lack of in-person scheduled negotiation sessions between Republic Services and Teamsters. Moulton expressed that in-person negotiations are the most effective way to get Republic Services sanitation employees to return to work.
“Nothing replaces sitting down at the same table. In-person negotiations build trust, encourage compromise, and cut through delays that virtual talks or emails can create. The fastest way to do that is face-to-face, that’s why I’m calling on Republic to come to the table in good faith, and as soon as possible,” he wrote.
Moulton also described the reason behind the urgent timing of the letter.
“The strike has gone on for weeks. The impact on local families and businesses is growing. This has got to get resolved as soon as possible, and negotiations weren’t moving. It’s time for Republic Services to come back to the table and work out a fair deal so everyone can get back to normal,” he wrote.
Reps. Richard E. Neal, James P. McGovern, William R. Keating, Katherine Clark, Lori Trahan, and Jake Auchincloss also signed the letter.
Meanwhile, Teamsters Local 25 President Tom Mari responded to the lawmaker’s efforts.
“Our elected leaders in Massachusetts have stepped up more than any other state I’ve ever seen, sticking with us and not backing away at any time during this fight for fairness and equity. All we want, and will not stop until we get it, is to have the Republic employees represented by Local 25 enjoy the same wages and benefits as the employees represented by Local 25 at Capitol and Star currently have,” he wrote in a statement.
“Republic refuses to treat its employees with dignity and respect. That’s what this strike is all about. The 400 Local 25 members at Republic are not going back to work until they get what they deserve, no matter how long it takes,” Mari wrote.
