CONTRACTS EXPIRE FOR CLOSE TO 4,000 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SANITATION WORKERS AS EMPLOYERS FAIL TO REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENTS

Teamsters Local 396 Will Continue Bargaining in Good Faith as the Threat of Growing Labor Disruptions Loom Across the Southern California Sanitation Industry

COVINA, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Contracts covering almost 4,000 sanitation workers represented by Teamsters Local 396 across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties expired at midnight on September 30 after sanitation employers including Republic Services, Waste Management, Athens Services, CR&R, WARE Disposal, Park Disposal, and AAA Disposal failed to reach tentative agreements with the union before the deadline.

Local 396 remains committed to bargaining in good faith and reaching strong agreements at the negotiating table. However, the union says responsibility for reaching this point rests with employers who had months to negotiate contracts that recognize the value, sacrifice, and essential work performed by sanitation workers throughout Southern California.

"The companies knew exactly when these contracts expired, and they had every opportunity to reach agreements before the deadline," said Victor Mineros, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 396. "Our members came to the table prepared to negotiate and prepared to reach fair agreements. Instead, the deadline has passed without tentative agreements. We will continue bargaining in good faith, but our members are united, prepared, and willing to do whatever it takes to win the contracts they deserve."

For months, Local 396 members have mobilized across Southern California as part of a historic coordinated sanitation contract campaign. Workers have participated in bargaining, workplace actions, yard meetings, rallies, and other activities demonstrating their unity and determination to raise standards across the industry.

With contracts now expired, the failure of employers to reach tentative agreements has increased the possibility of labor disruptions throughout Southern California's sanitation industry.

"Close to 4,000 sanitation workers are standing shoulder to shoulder across Southern California," said Alex Moran, President of Local 396. "Companies have the ability to prevent labor disputes by getting serious at the bargaining table and reaching fair agreements. Our members will continue doing everything possible to win strong contracts, and they are prepared to stand together and fight for as long as it takes."

Sanitation workers perform essential and often dangerous work every day, operating heavy equipment, collecting and processing waste and recyclables, maintaining vehicles and facilities, and keeping communities throughout Southern California clean and safe. Today, close to 4,000 Local 396 sanitation workers are united behind a common demand for dignity, respect, fair compensation, strong benefits, and workplace protections that reflect the value of their labor.

"The companies still have an opportunity to avoid labor disruptions," Mineros said. "Come to the table, bargain seriously, and reach agreements that our members can be proud of. Until that happens, we will remain united and prepared. Our Time is Now."

Teamsters Local 396 represents thousands of workers throughout Southern California in the package delivery, sanitation, and food delivery industries. For more information, go to teamsterslocal396.org.

Contact:
Adan Alvarez, (347) 208-2279
[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 396