Residents loading garbage bags into a pickup truck during a garbage collection disruption.
Share this @internewscast.com

AMERICANS living in five cities have been forced to shut their windows and cover their noses after an essential service was abruptly stopped.

Residents across the country fear their health could be at risk after the crucial practice ended, despite them paying for it.

Residents loading garbage bags into a pickup truck during a garbage collection disruption.
Americans in five cities are being forced to drop off their trashCredit: KOMO-TV
Large pile of cardboard outside a recycling facility.
Piles of trash are flooding communities because of a nationwide strikeCredit: KOMO-TV
Union workers striking, delaying trash pickups.
Union workers are warning residents to hold their noses during negotiationsCredit: KOMO-TV

It has now been one week since workers at Republic Services, a waste management company, initiated their strike. As a result, trash accumulation has become a noticeable issue in several regions, including Western Washington.

Residents in these areas, feeling the pressure, have resorted to personally delivering their waste to designated drop-off sites, often after days of exposure to the sun, causing significant discomfort.

For some, like daycare director Brit Harris, the situation has become especially challenging. She is reluctant to deal with the unpleasant contents of overflowing dumpsters and hopes fervently that the union resolves the matter soon, avoiding more drastic measures.

“This is the worst possible time for this,” Harris, who runs Lil People’s World in Bellevue, outside Seattle, told CBS affiliate KIRO.

“Mainly the feces, I’m super worried about. It is very hot out and we are going to overflow very quickly.”

Washington residents in Bellevue, Renton, Edmonds, Kent, and Lacey have all been warned that trash pickup will be paused for the foreseeable, despite taxpayers contributing to the services.

Union related work stoppages have also been reported in Boston, Massachusetts, Cumming, Georgia, Ottawa, Illinoi, and Manteca, California.

Republic Services still hasn’t struck a deal with garbage worker union Teamster, and the two aren’t scheduled to meet until the end of the month.

Plus, Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien threatened to stock collections across multiple states and declared a “war” against Republic Services last week, Fox News reported.

He said the union plans to “flood the streets and shut down garbage collection in state after state” if they can’t strike a deal.

Trash chaos with fears bags will pile up on streets of major US city as 10,000 workers walk off the job

“Republic Services has been threatening a war with American workers for years — and now, they’ve got one,” he said in a statement.

“Republic abuses and underpays workers across the country. They burn massive profits and funnel money to undeserving, corrupt executives.

“Workers are uniting nationwide, and we will get the wages and benefits we’ve earned, come hell or high water.”

Strikers say they are demanding basic needs like fair wages, health insurance and retirement benefits, but Republic Services claims the union isn’t taking negotiations seriously.

“Today, we made a formal proposal that included a nearly 16% wage increase immediately and an approximate 43% pay increase over five years for our Greater Boston employees,” the company told Fox News.

“Contrary to the many falsehoods the Teamsters are spreading, our offer outpaces competitors.”

Over 2,000 workers are striking nationwide, and some are attempting to barricade replacement workers from completing deliveries, KIRO reported.

Affected cities have established drop off areas for trash, and residents are being asked to deliver on days they were supposed to get pick up.

Thurston County transfer station heavy equipment operator Will Zekus called for a better deal and said “right now we’re just trying to make ends meet.”

He hopes that his team can get more workers as they’re working “400 hours of overtime a year.”

“It just causes a lot of stress,” he told ABC affiliate KOMO.

“They’re going to have to budge, because we’re not.”

The trash drama comes just weeks after strikes picked up in Philadelphia.

Overfilled blue recycling bins.
No end is in sight between workers and the companyCredit: KIRO 7
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Utah gov marks turning point as TPUSA returns after Charlie Kirk assassination

Utah Governor Marks Milestone as TPUSA Reunites Following Incident Involving Charlie Kirk

LOGAN, Utah – Turning Point USA returned to Utah Tuesday night for…
Morgan Wallen denied throwing chair off bar roof to police in 2024, footage shows

Morgan Wallen Dismisses Allegations of Throwing Chair from Bar Roof in 2024, Video Evidence Emerges

Country music star Morgan Wallen, who was arrested and charged with reckless…
Broadview ICE facility protest: Neurodivergent man Paul Ivery released from custody pending trial after arrest at detention center

Neurodivergent Activist Paul Ivery Released After Arrest at Broadview ICE Facility Protest

CHICAGO (WLS) — Another individual among the group of five facing charges…
Strong earthquake kills 31 people in a central Philippine region hit by deadly storm just days ago

Powerful earthquake claims 31 lives in central Philippine region recently ravaged by a deadly storm

MANILA, Philippines — A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck offshore in the central…
Judge sets sentencing date for Jacksonville rapper Ksoo convicted of murder

Live | Sentencing today for Jacksonville rapper Ksoo and co-defendant ATK Scotty following murder conviction

Ksoo and his co-defendant Leroy Whitaker, also known as ATK Scotty, are…
Des Moines superintendent to resign after being detained by ICE, lawyer says

Des Moines School Superintendent Plans to Step Down Following ICE Detention, Lawyer Reports

An Iowa school superintendent who was recently taken into custody by Immigration…
Marion County man charged with creating CSAM using AI

Marion County Resident Accused of Producing CSAM with Artificial Intelligence

Police say that Lucius Martin was arrested during a traffic stop, where…
Bomb squad detonates ‘suspicious device’ at Utah State University prior to TPUSA event

Bomb Squad Neutralizes “Suspicious Device” at Utah State University Before TPUSA Event

LOGAN, Utah — A “suspicious device” was detonated by law enforcement at…
Skeletal remains found near NYC strip mall believed to be nurse who disappeared 4 years ago

Skeletal Remains Discovered Near NYC Strip Mall Likely Those of Nurse Missing for Four Years

Late Monday afternoon, a partial set of skeletal remains was discovered in…
Criminal gangs recruiting teenage girls as assassins and bombers, officials warn

Officials Warn: Teenage Girls Being Recruited by Criminal Gangs as Assassins and Bombers

Sweden is currently facing a unique type of gang violence where teenage…
Mountain bikers find missing hiker wandering wilderness in underwear

Lost hiker discovered in wilderness by mountain bikers, found wearing only underwear

A group of resourceful mountain bikers encountered a hiker missing for two…
Charlie Kirk assassination suspect's expanded defense team includes Menendez brother's former attorney

Defense Team for Charlie Kirk Assassination Case Now Includes Former Attorney of Menendez Brothers

PROVO, Utah — A Utah court has finalized the legal team behind…