Employment Attorney in Stockton, CA

The trash could start piling up now that a strike is solidly underway by sanitation workers against Republic Services, one of the companies that handle garbage collection in Stockton and nearby cities.

The strike began this week, the Teamsters union said. The walkout encompasses not only parts of San Joaquin County, but some Bay Area communities as well.

Locally, Republic Services handles garbage pickup in sections of Stockton, Manteca and Lathrop. It also operates the Forward Landfill in Manteca. Strikers on a picket line there carried signs that read, “Hold your nose.”

Residents and businesses are already starting to feel the effects.

“There have been some delays, but they have some staff still picking up trash,” said Tony Mannor, a spokesman for the city of Stockton. He said the strike is “delaying, but not stopping” garbage collection, for both residential and commercial customers.

“We are pretty confident it will be resolved quickly,” he added.

At the Forward Landfill, Teamsters spokesman Sal Lomeli said from the picket line that union members will be on strike as long as it takes. Workers are seeking higher wages, improved health care plans and more labor protections. Lomeli said some workers are paying $1,200 a month for their family health insurance plans.

He said Forward Landfill, which the company lists as being 755 acres, remained open despite the union picket line, but operations appeared to be moving much slower than usual.

Reached for comment, Republic Services issued a statement saying that until it reaches an agreement with the union, customers may experience “temporary service delays” for those using its recycling and waste operations.

“We are making adjustments to our operations to ensure our ability to continue providing service during this situation. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause,” the company said.

Republic Services said it had net income of $495 million in the first quarter of 2025, up from $454 million in the same quarter a year ago. It is set to report second-quarter earnings on July 29.

Teamsters Local 439 led the strike in San Joaquin County. The local includes members in Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, according to its website.

Other Northern California locals involved in the strike include members from Teamsters 70, 315 and 350.

MANTECA, Calif. —

A nationwide strike by Republic Services workers is impacting trash collection in Northern California cities, including Stockton, Fairfield, Lathrop and Manteca.

Last week, workers in the Teamsters Union announced they were going on strike, which includes the Forward Landfill in Manteca. Workers on the picket lines are fighting for higher pay and better working conditions.

"We're out here fighting basically for our benefit, which is medical benefits, wages," said Saira Rosales, a worker who is on strike. "We just want our employees to have a better wage. Some of these employees have been working here for over 30 years, and they're getting paid what? You know, [what] McDonald's is paying now. You know, they dedicated their whole life to this company."

Republic Services released the following statement:

"Republic Services is in contract negotiations with IBT 439, the union representing some of our employees at Forward Landfill. Those employees are engaged in a temporary work stoppage, and are picketing at other Republic Services locations in the area. As a result, we anticipate temporary service delays for some recycling and waste collection customers. We are making adjustments to our operations to ensure our ability to continue providing service during this situation. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause."

Officials from the cities of Fairfield, Lathrop and Stockton have issued warnings to residents, indicating that the strike could impact their waste collection services.

It's already impacting thousands of residents and businesses with their trash pickup in San Joaquin County.

Some workers have been on the picket lines for 24 hours at the Forward Inc. Landfill in Manteca, a Division of Republic Services.

Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi expressed her hope for a swift resolution to the situation.

"If this is prolonged, if this continues, it becomes a health issue," Fugazi said. "So we need to make sure that we have systems in place to make sure that trash is picked up ... I don't know what the contract says, but again, in a state of emergency, if there was a state of emergency, we would need to look into that."

There is no indication of how long the strike negotiations might last.

Below are locations that are impacted:

Stockton residents may experience trash pickup delays this week due to a strike by sanitation workers employed by Republic Services

Members of the Teamsters Local 439 are on strike in Stockton in an effort to reach an agreement with Republic Services. Employees went on strike at noon on Tuesday, July 8.

The strike continued on Wednesday at Republic Services at 1145 W. Charter Way in Stockton and Forward Landfill at 9999 S. Austin Road in Manteca.

"Republic Services forced our members in Stockton out on strike by refusing to make meaningful progress at the bargaining table or provide Local 439 members with a contract that gives them a living wage that’s consistent with industry standards, affordable and accessible health care, and fair work rules," Matt McQuaid, project manager, communications team for Teamsters Department of Strategic Initiatives told The Stockton Record via email on Wednesday.

McQuaid said there are about 40 members of the Teamsters Local 439 on strike and more than 600 members from other Teamsters local unions honoring the picket lines.

"Local 439 members who work at Republic Services are dedicated public servants. They don’t just work in Stockton, they live in Stockton," McQuaid said. "Republic Teamsters would rather be back at work, but the employer left them with no other option."

Teamsters Local 439 is a labor union that represents members in San Joaquin, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. They have served these areas for more than 60 years, representing more than 5,600 members and with over 85 employers participating in collective bargaining agreements with them, according to the labor union's website.

McQuaid said Teamsters settle more than 90% of the waste industry contracts without stoppage of work.

"This strike is Republic’s fault," McQuaid said.

What to know about anticipated delays in waste pickup

Republic Services confirmed the strike and the possibility of waste collection delays.

"Republic Services is in contract negotiations with IBT 439, the union representing some of our employees at Forward Landfill. Those employees are engaged in a temporary work stoppage and are picketing at other Republic Services locations in the area," Republic Services officials said in a statement. "As a result, we anticipate temporary service delays for some recycling and waste collection customers in the area."

Republic Services officials also stated that services at essential businesses such as hospitals, nursing homes and apartment complexes are still being provided.

The company shared a list of communities where service delays are being experienced. Communities experiencing service delays include:

"We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause," Republic Services officials said.

McQuaid said businesses and residents that receive trash collection services from Republic Services throughout Stockton, "should expect their garbage to pile up until the strike is resolved."

He said that the strike can end tomorrow if Republic Services gives Teamsters what they are asking for.

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Stockton 'exploring alternative options' amid strike

Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi told The Record via email on Wednesday that the city was informed of the strike on Tuesday. Since the strike had not started at that time, city officials waited to verify the information was correct before issuing a public update.

By Tuesday afternoon, the city of Stockton took to social media to inform the community of the anticipated interruption.

"The City understands how important reliable service is to our community. We are communicating with Republic Services and will share updates as they become available. Republic Services is also providing updates to its customers via the customer’s preferred form of communication (email or phone message). Thank you for your patience and understanding as this situation develops."

Fugazi said that while all routes are not impacted, service is limited. She went on to say that supervisors and team members are doing their best to continue the collection of waste.

Fugazi is hopeful the "strike will not last longer than a week," but said it depends on the negotiations between Republic Services and Teamsters.

"We are currently exploring alternative options, such as designated drop-off locations. In the meantime, some residents and businesses may need to hold onto their waste until service resumes," Fugazi said. "This is also a good opportunity to evaluate what items belong in regular trash bins, and which can be sorted into recycling or green waste. Many items that are typically thrown away can be diverted from the landfill with proper sorting."

Stockton residents have taken to the city's post about the waste collection service interruption to ask if they will receive any sort of discount on their bills if their trash is not picked up. Fugazi said questions regarding "billing or possible service credits" should be directed to Republic Services.

"At this time, we are focused on maximizing waste collection and will address billing questions in the near future," Republic Services officials said. "We are making adjustments to our operations to continue providing service during this situation."

Republic Services workers strike nationwide

Stockton's sanitation workers are not the only employees striking.

In the Midwest, strikes have also made headlines in Evansville, Indiana where members of the Teamsters Local 215 are in contract talks with Republic Services. Trash has also started to pile up in the streets of Philadelphia amid a AFSCME Union strike, among other cities.

"Republic Teamsters are striking nationwide because this is a national fight," McQuaid said. "Whether it’s Stockton, Boston, Illinois, Georgia, or Washington State, this company consistently takes its workforce for granted."

For Republic Services waste collection services updates, visit republicservices.com or call 209-466-3604.

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow

A nationwide strike by Republic Services workers is disrupting trash pickup in Northern California as Teamsters demand higher pay and safer working conditions.

MANTECA, Calif. — Trash may start piling up in neighborhoods across Northern California as a nationwide strike by Republic Services sanitation workers disrupts regular waste collection.

More than 2,000 members of the Teamsters Union have walked off the job, including landfill workers at the Forward Landfill in Manteca. In cities like Stockton, Lathrop and Daly City, overflowing trash cans sit baking in the summer sun.

“Good wages, good healthcare, good pension, that’s all we’re asking,” said Teamsters Local 439 Principal Officer Sal Lomeli.

The strike has rippled beyond Manteca, with sanitation workers in the Bay Area walking out in solidarity. In Daly City, some workers described hazardous conditions, including exposure to syringes and other dangerous materials.

“Guys out there are standing in syringes. You see them all over the landfill, hazardous waste, and yet these guys aren't making close to what they should to support their families,” one supporter said. “It’s crazy.”

Republic Services acknowledged the strike and said it is working to minimize disruptions.

“We are making adjustments to our operations to continue providing service during this situation,” the company said in a statement. “We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause.”

Essential services such as hospitals, nursing homes and apartment complexes are still being prioritized. But in impacted cities like Stockton, officials are warning that many residents may need to hang onto their garbage longer than usual.

“We’re prepared to go a month, or possibly more,” Lomeli said.

The City of Stockton says it’s exploring emergency options, including designated drop-off locations, but has not announced a timeline for when full service will resume.

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Work Stoppage Follows Similar Actions in Massachusetts, Illinois, and Georgia

STOCKTON, Calif., July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At 12 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, members of Teamsters Local 439 will launch a strike at Republic Services. The action forced by Republic will disrupt waste collections for tens of thousands of Stockton residents. Primary picket lines could continue to extend nationwide and result in a work stoppage for over 3,500 Teamsters.

Republic Teamsters are demanding a contract with improved wages, better benefits, and stronger labor protections. The multibillion-dollar waste giant has refused to give workers a fair deal, pushing them to the picket line.

The strike comes shortly after Republic Teamsters in Boston, Ottawa, Ill., and Cumming, Ga., went on strike. Hundreds of additional Teamsters across the country are having similar contract disputes with Republic, and they could launch strikes of their own at any moment.

Media Contact: Matt McQuaid, (771) 241-0015[email protected]On-site Contact: Sal Lomeni, (209) 605-8046

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters