Teamsters Launch Trash Watch 1-800-976-0071 Toll-Free Number and Seattletrashwatch.com Web Site

Close to One Thousand Residents Prepare For Waste Management Lockout

SEATTLE, April 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Teamsters Locals 117 and 174 announced the launch of a toll-free number (1-800-976-0071) and web site (seattletrashwatch.com) for the Neighborhood Trash Watch (NTW) program. The program provides residents of King and Snohomish Counties with a way to report service failures in the event that Waste Management (WMI) locks out area sanitation workers or forces a strike.

WMI may be trying to provoke a strike or lockout in a move to create a public health crisis to break an agreement between area cities and King County. The move could allow WMI to gain a foothold in the lucrative waste disposal/landfill market that is currently run almost exclusively by the county. Such a move could cost King County $85 million in revenue per year.

On Sunday, April 11, close to one thousand residents attended the NTW training held at the Teamster union hall in Tukwila, Wash. to learn how they can help hold WMI accountable for any future service interruptions. Community activists learned how to start trash watches in their neighborhoods.

"We were pleased with the turnout by the community and support we received at our training session on Sunday," said Tracey Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117. "The residents understand what's at stake in our fight with Waste Management, and believe that protecting health care for sanitation workers is critical in this hazardous industry."

To build on this momentum, the Teamsters launched the web site and the toll-free number to keep residents informed about the ongoing labor dispute and to help them report service failures. Residents of King and Snohomish Counties who call the toll-free number will be connected to their mayor's office after they enter their zip code.

Communities have already begun showing their support for the Teamsters at WMI, posting "Waste Management Stop Trashing Our Neighborhood," signs and setting up Neighborhood Trash Watches to support local sanitation workers and stop trash from pilling up in front of their houses.

"Our recycling efforts in Washington have come too far to see Waste Management turn back the clock with this landfill takeover strategy," said Heather Weiner, Sierra Club representative.

"We hope that our customers will not be forced to make use of the Neighborhood Trash Watch program and Waste Management will realize that their position is untenable," said Rick Hicks, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 174. "Our members want nothing more than to continue providing the first-class service to which residents of King and Snohomish Counties are accustomed. But this is a fight that they cannot afford to lose."

SOURCE Teamsters Local Unions 117 and 174