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ADDED 5:26 PM: Susan Stoltzfus from SPU answered a couple questions we sent her after they were raised in the comment section, regarding next week’s schedule, plus a question regarding whether the catchup pickups are costing the city extra – and, she adds a reminder:

Regular collections for all customers are expected next week for garbage, food and yard waste, and recycling.

Our contract with Waste Management does not pay for overtime for drivers.

We would also like to remind your readers that the performance fees being assessed will be coming back to customers affected by the strike. We still have to get the total of the fees and finalize an equitable way to distribute back to the customers. Likely they will see a credit on a future utility bill.

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(Photo added 12:21 pm – truck trouble in Delridge – see below)
7:45 AM: One more reminder before it’s too late, in case you missed the noontime announcement yesterday … since many Wednesday trash/recycling customers missed two pickups during the Waste Management strike, the company plans to have trucks out in those neighborhoods TODAY to catch up, so get yours out and keep it out till 6. (If you’re Monday or Tuesday, as of this writing, they’re planning to catch up on those regular days.)

12:21 PM UPDATE: The photo above is courtesy of Ronnie, who says the WM truck got into some kind of trouble in an alley east of Delridge, near Brandon. Ronnie says the truck’s “back popped open,” and that supervisors have arrived to check it out. No word on how or if this might affect pickups, but again, if you have Wednesday pickup, the company asks you to leave everything out at least until 6 tonight.

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Waste Management garbage, recycling and food/yard waste drivers are working to catch up in Seattle today after Thursday’s settlement of the week-long Teamsters Union strike.

Wednesday customers who were missed for collection this week should put their carts out until 6 p.m. Saturday, August 4 to allow time for collection. Customers will not be charged extra for any additional items placed at the curb.

If your collection is missed, please report it.

Instructions for other customers, includes the following:

Friday Customers:

All carts should be collected today. If not, Leave carts out until 6 p.m. Saturday.

Thursday Customers:

Most recycling pickup was missed yesterday, August 2. Put out all recyclables next Thursday, August 9.

Customers who have been affected by the strike may drop off up to 6 bags of either garbage or yard waste in any combination at either of Seattle’s transfer stations for free, through this weekend. Yard waste should not be in plastic bags. Recycling drop off is always free.

Hours have been extended through Friday at the South Transfer Station: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SPU will provide updates as needed. Customers with solid waste service issues or concerns may call the Call Center at (206) 684-3000.

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Teamsters Local Union No. 117 recycling drivers voted this morning to end their strike against Waste Management, and garbage and food/yard waste collections have resumed across Seattle. The city of Seattle thanked both parties for reaching an agreement. At least partial collection of recycling materials is also expected today.

The mayor said city inspectors are on the streets today, checking for garbage, food/yard waste and recycling that went uncollected yesterday. Fines will be assessed against the company for materials that were missed yesterday. No fines will be levied for materials missed today.

The mayor also announced that, through Sunday, Seattle residents serviced by Waste Management can continue to drop off up to six bags up to six bags of either garbage or yard waste in any combination at the transfer stations — for free. Yard waste should not be in plastic bags. Recycling drop off is always free.

Residents can put out any extra materials that were previously missed, on their next regular collection day, through next Wednesday.

If your collection is missed, please report it.

The mayor also announced that, through Sunday, Seattle residents serviced by Waste Management can continue to drop off up to six bags of either garbage or yard waste in any combination at the transfer stations — for free. Yard waste should not be in plastic bags. This free service will last through this Sunday. Recycling drop off is always free.

Check SPU’s website for station hours, and webcam links. The South Transfer station will be open until will be open until 9 p.m., tonight and Friday.

SPU will provide updates as needed. Customers with solid waste service issues or concerns may call the Call Center at (206) 684-3000.

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Following a confidential meeting between the parties’ lead negotiators, Waste Management and Teamsters Local 117 announced that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new 6-year contract.

Teamster leadership and the bargaining committee will fully recommend that members approve the new contract at the ratification vote scheduled for 9:00am on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at the Union Hall in Tukwila.

Note:
Garbage drivers will return to work in the morning and begin servicing their regular Thursday collection routes. However, due to the timing of the ratification vote, recycling and yard waste collection will be limited.

Please see www.wmnorthwest.com for more information.

“We are extremely pleased that we reached an agreement on a new contract that delivers a solid compensation package to our hardworking and professional drivers”, said Robin Freedman, spokesperson for Waste Management. “Although regular drivers will be back on their routes tomorrow it will take time to fully recover from this unfortunate situation. We appreciate the community’s patience during this time.”

“Teamster drivers work hard and deserve fair compensation for the important work that they perform,” announced Tracey Thompson, Secretary Treasurer for Teamster Local 117. “We are pleased to have negotiated a contract that recognizes the professionalism of our members.”

More to come.

THURSDAY NOTE: Still awaiting additional details; we’ll start a separate story page whenever more information about the strike’s aftermath is made public today.

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At a City Hall news conference this morning Mayor Mike McGinn announced that city inspectors will begin assessing possible fines to be imposed on Waste Management for non-collection of garbage, recycling, and food and yard waste, with funds to be returned to the public in the form of bill adjustments. The fines could reach as high as $1.25 million per day.

“This service disruption is creating a hardship for residents and businesses, and we expect Waste Management to fulfill their contract,” McGinn said. “We will be looking for every missed collection by Waste Management and with the public’s help we will hold them accountable. I urge both sides to return to the table to reach a mutually acceptable solution.”

With Waste Management’s one week grace period over, Seattle Public Utilities inspectors will begin fanning out across Seattle looking for missed collections and assessing possible penalty fees. Wednesday customers have been asked to keep any uncollected carts out until Thursday, August 2. Any uncollected carts will be recorded for fines — up to $1.25 million a day — to be issued to Waste Management.

The public can report missed collections through the following ways.

· Clicking on a link on Seattle Public Utilities website at www.seattle.gov/util

· Via personal twitter accounts: making sure to include the block where they live (a specific address is not necessary), the hash tag #theymissedme, and a picture of their carts.

In addition to reporting missed collections, the public can get rid of uncollected garbage at the city’s transfer stations. Single-family residents in Waste Management’s service areas may drop off up to six bags of garbage and yard waste for free at the South and North transfer stations. Both stations are open seven days a week. The north station operates 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the south station’s hours have been extended until 9 p.m. for the duration of the strike.

Customers should bring appropriate identification — for example, a driver’s license or a utility bill — to demonstrate they are City of Seattle residents.

Recycling drop-off is always free.

SPU is also similarly asking Thursday customers to put garbage, yard waste and recycling out before 7 a.m. tomorrow morning. Carts should be left out until 6 p.m. Friday night, August 3, for possible collection and recording for fines.

Mayor McGinn also directed SPU to return any collected penalties to its customers, in the form of adjustments to their solid waste bills. Details of that arrangement are being developed by SPU.

The Mayor emphasized that the city’s top priority is safeguarding public health and safety, and he urged the company and the union to get back to the bargaining table immediately to get their differences resolved and the garbage picked up.

SPU operates two transfer stations:

· The North Recycling and Disposal Station is located at 1350 North 34th Street in the Fremont/Wallingford area.

· The South Recycling and Disposal Station is located at 8105 5th Avenue South in the South Park area.

Customers can also check to see if there are lines with SPU’s station web cams (here’s the South Park view).

WM says it’s providing residential service for GARBAGE ONLY today in Seattle, per its web page. If there are any more updates today, we’ll add them to this story; you can always find the newest update linked atop the BIG STORIES list on the WSB sidebar.

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(Photo added 2:26 pm, WM truck turning east on Thistle from California after pickups)
2:01 PM: Though we haven’t been able to get official comment on this so far, we’ve received scattered reports of residential trash pickups in West Seattle today (described by one commenter as a “surprise”) – so if you are a Tuesday customer and you happen to be home, you might consider putting out your trash/recycling, even though the official advisories from both the city and Waste Management said not to. More as we get it.

ADDED 3:11 PM: According to The Seattle Times (WSB partner), starting tomorrow you will be able to take trash to one of the city’s two transfer stations (nearest to us is South Park) for free – with some fine print (here’s their story).

3:37 PM: Seattle Public Utilities has now sent a news release with details on the free dropoffs – and other strike updates, including advice that WEDNESDAY pickup customers should put their cans out tomorrow; read on (plus, added 10 pm, Waste Management’s statement saying it expects to serve Seattle neighborhoods tomorrow):

Mayor Mike McGinn has directed Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to open the city’s garbage transfer stations, at no charge, to single-family residents whose garbage, recycling and food/yard waste has not been collected by Waste Management as the result of the week-long strike by Teamsters Union drivers.

“We will be rigorously inspecting Waste Management’s work and fining them for every violation,” McGinn said. “We understand that this disruption of service has real consequences for businesses and people, so we will not be charging those who bring their waste to a transfer station. Every penny that we collect from Waste Management in fines will be returned to our customers as reductions to their bill.”

Starting tomorrow (Aug. 1), single-family residents in Waste Management’s service areas may drop off up to six bags of garbage and yard waste for free at the South and North transfer stations, which operate from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week. Customers should bring appropriate identification — for example, a driver’s license or a utility bill — to demonstrate they are City of Seattle residents.

Recycling drop-off is always free.

SPU is asking Wednesday customers to put garbage, yard waste and recycling out before 7 a.m. tomorrow morning. Carts should be left out until 6 p.m. Thursday night, August 2, for possible collection and recording for fines — up to $1.25 million a day — to be issued to Waste Management.

Mayor McGinn also directed SPU to return any collected penalties to its customers, in the form of adjustments to their solid waste bills. Details of that arrangement are being developed by SPU.

The Mayor emphasized that the city’s top priority is safeguarding public health and safety, and he urged the company and the union to get back to the bargaining table immediately to get their differences resolved and the garbage picked up.

SPU operates two transfer stations:

· The North Recycling and Disposal Station is located at 1350 North 34th Street in the Fremont/Wallingford area.

· The South Recycling and Disposal Station is located at 8105 5th Avenue South in the South Park area.

Both stations are open daily 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Customers who want to avoid lines should drop off items before 2 p.m. Customers can also check to see if there are lines with SPU’s station web cams

10 PM: Waste Management‘s update tonight says they DO expect to pick up in Seattle neighborhoods with Wednesday service:

The labor disruption continues to be a very unfortunate situation for our customers. Waste Management sincerely apologizes to our community for the inconvenience caused by the Teamsters strike. Waste Management is working diligently to resume services throughout Puget Sound. Additional WM substitute drivers continue to arrive, which will provide additional service capacity.

We are pleased to announce that WM is expanding our service recovery efforts tomorrow to include certain residential areas.

Wednesday Collection Services

WM is scheduled to run all Wednesday commercial garbage routes. This means garbage service for all businesses that are normally serviced on Wednesdays.
For residents living in the following cities who normally receive garbage collection on Wednesdays, WM will be servicing you tomorrow (garbage only):

(The ensuing list includes Seattle, as you can see on the WM site.)

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Due to the continuing strike by Teamsters Union drivers, garbage, recycling and food and yard waste will not be collected Tuesday for most Waste Management residential customers. CleanScapes customers will have their carts picked up as usual.

Waste Management Tuesday customers should put out their recycling, garbage and food and yard waste carts next Tuesday, Aug. 7. Customers will not be charged extra for any additional items placed at the curb.

Customers who were missed for collection today (Monday, July 30), should put their garbage, yard waste and recycling out before 7 a.m. next Monday, Aug. 6.

The strike is affecting about 60 percent of the city, in Northwest and South Seattle. Teamsters Local 117’s contract with Waste Management expired May 31 and union drivers went on strike last Wednesday, July 25. Teamsters 174 garbage and yard drivers have been honoring the Local 117 picket lines.

Collections by CleanScapes, which covers about 40 percent of the city are not impacted by the strike.

SPU continues to urge Waste Management and the Teamsters to engage in good faith negotiations toward a speedy and successful outcome.

Under its contract with the city, Waste Management is required to continue services in the event of any disruption. Specifically, any missed collections due to any labor complications must be collected later in the week, or the following week. Waste Management will not be paid for any non-service.

The contract allows the city to deduct approximately $15,000 to $20,000 per day in payments to Waste Management for any services that are not completed the next day. For any interruptions that continue more than a week, contractors can also be fined substantially for service failure, up to $1.25 million per day.

Protecting public health and safety continues to be the city’s top priority throughout this collection disruption.

SPU will provide updates as needed. Customers with solid waste service issues or concerns may call the Call Center at (206) 684-3000.

Customers with labor/union questions or concerns should contact Waste Management or Teamsters Local 117.

Any more updates today – from anyone involved – will be added here, and this will be linked from the BIG STORIES headline list on the sidebar. We’ve created an archive for all our coverage dating back to the start – newest to oldest – find it here.

TUESDAY MORNING NOTE: Waste Management’s online update also says residential customers won’t get pickup in Seattle today, though they say commercial customers might.

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(Substitute-driven WM truck photographed outside Delridge restaurant Saturday morning)
An update on the Waste Management walkout, just in from the company:

Teamsters Local 117 recycle and yard waste drivers remain on strike. Teamsters 174 garbage drivers continue to honor the picket lines.

Over the weekend, experienced WM substitute drivers made solid progress on critical stops in cities across the Puget Sound. Per our contingency plan, our second wave of experienced WM substitute drivers arrived on Saturday and Sunday. They will be deployed on Monday, July 30. Additional substitute drivers are on the way and we are beginning to hire replacement drivers identified during our job fair last month.

MONDAY COLLECTION SERVICE

Monday collection service will focus on commercial collection routes, including restaurants.
Renton will receive residential garbage collection service due to their unique every other week (EOW) collection frequency.

Please continue to check our WM website for daily collection information at www.wmnorthwest.com.

The city’s most recent update, from Friday, suggests Monday pickup customers put out their cans as usual.

The strike began at midday Wednesday; drivers had been working without a contract since late May, and took a strike-authorization vote in early June.

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The strike by Teamster Union Local 117 recycling drivers continues, and Teamsters 174 garbage and yard drivers continue to honor the picket lines. Garbage, yard waste and recycling will not be collected from most Waste Management Friday customers today.

Waste Management is expected to increase limited collection service today, focusing on those accounts critical to public health and the environment.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) asks customers who are missed for collection today to put out their garbage, recycling and yard waste next Friday, Aug. 3. There will be no charge for additional items placed at the curb. Monday customers should put out their materials as normal.

The strike is affecting about 60 percent of the city, in Northwest and South Seattle. Teamster Local 117’s contract with Waste Management expired May 31. In Seattle, Local 117 represents only recycling drivers, and other drivers are covered by separate labor agreements.

Collections by CleanScapes, which covers about 40 percent of the city are not impacted by the strike.

SPU continues to urge Waste Management and the Teamsters to engage in good faith negotiations toward a speedy and successful outcome.

Under its contract with the city, Waste Management is required to continue services in the event of any disruption. Specifically, any missed collections due to any labor complications must be collected later in the week, or the following week. Waste Management will not be paid for any non-service.

The contract allows the city to deduct approximately $4,500 per day in payments to Waste Management for any services that are not completed the next day. For any interruptions that continue more than a week, contractors can also be fined substantially for service failure, up to $250,000 per day.

Protecting public health and safety continues to be the city’s top priority throughout this collection disruption.

SPU will provide updates as needed. Customers with solid waste service issues or concerns may call the Call Center at (206) 684-3000.

Customers with labor/union questions or concerns should contact Waste Management or Teamsters Local 117.

No new negotiations so far. The union says it offered to stop picketing Monday if WM would meet with them tomorrow; WM issued a statement yesterday saying that it would meet with the union if drivers went back to work first.

Meantime, the latest story on this will always be atop our BIG STORIES list on the sidebar for the duration of the strike. We also have created a coverage category with which all our stories will be tagged, so you can always find the newest information, and archived coverage, via this link.

ADDED 11:31 AM: An update from our partners at The Seattle Times – WM has brought in some “replacement workers.” Their coverage also includes some background on the dispute itself.

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FIRST REPORT, 7:32 AM: Today’s first update on the recycling/yard waste/garbage truck drivers’ walkout: Waste Management says, no service today. (According to this map we used during the 2010 strike, there’s no Thursday pickup zone in West Seattle – let us know if that’s inaccurate.) This is the statement the company e-mailed early this morning:

Service Disruption Today
Thursday, July 26th, 2012

If today is your collection day, please see information below.

Due to a work stoppage that began on Wednesday, July 25th, we will not be able to provide your regularly scheduled service today. Waste Management does not know how long the work stoppage will be.

Residential Customers: We will collect up to twice your regular amount of missed services on your next regular service day at no additional charge.

Commercial Customers: We will pick up extra garbage, recycling and/or yard and food waste on your next scheduled service day at no additional charge. If the work stoppage goes beyond a few days, accounts affecting public health and the environment, such as hospitals, day care centers and nursing homes will be our first priority.

As reported here yesterday (story here), the recycling and yard-waste truck drivers went on strike after working without a contract since May 31st (and taking a strike-authorization vote June 2nd). The statement by their union, Teamsters Local 117, is here.

For each day the strike lasts, we will have a story with that day’s updates, adding to it as that day goes on, linked atop the “BIG STORIES” list on the right sidebar so you can easily find the newest information.

ADDED 11:13 AM: Here’s the Seattle Public Utilities statement for the day:

As a strike by Teamster Union Local 117 continues, Waste Management is reporting that none of their regular business and residential garbage, recycling and yard waste will be collected today in Seattle.

There is also potential for continuing disruptions in solid waste collections tomorrow, Friday, July 27.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) asks customers who were missed for collection today to put out their garbage, recycling and yard waste next Thursday, Aug. 2. There will be no charge for additional items placed at the curb.

Friday customers should put their garbage, recycling and yard waste out before 7 a.m. tomorrow.

The strike could affect about 60 percent of the city, in Northwest and South Seattle (see attached map). Teamster Local 117’s contract with Waste Management expired May 31. In Seattle, Local 117 represents only recycling drivers, and other drivers are covered by separate labor agreements. However, Waste Management is reporting that yard waste and garbage drivers are also not collecting today.

Collections by CleanScapes, which covers about 40 percent of the city (see map) are not impacted by the strike.

SPU Director Ray Hoffman said that although the City of Seattle is not part of the negotiations between Waste Management and the Teamsters, he expects the two parties to continue to engage in good faith negotiations toward a speedy and successful outcome.

Under its contract with the city, Waste Management is required to continue services in the event of any disruption. Specifically, any missed collections due to any labor complications must be collected later in the week, or the following week. Waste Management will not be paid for any non-service.

The contract allows the city to deduct approximately $4,500 per day in payments to Waste Management for any services that are not completed the next day. For any interruptions that continue more than a week, contractors can also be fined substantially for service failure, up to $250,000 per day.

“Protecting public health and safety will continue to be the city’s top priority throughout this collection disruption,” Hoffman said.

SPU will provide updates as needed. Customers with solid waste service issues or concerns may call the Call Center at (206) 684-3000.

Customers with labor/union questions or concerns should contact Waste Management or Teamsters Local 117.

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(Photo added 12:56 pm – at WM NW facility on West Marginal Way)
11:30 AM: The labor dispute has been simmering for months, and now, as of less than an hour ago, Teamsters Local 117 says its recycling and yard-waste drivers are on strike against Waste Management in King and Snohomish counties. More to come.

12:17 PM: No formal statements yet from WM nor from the city regarding how this is expected to affect service, but we’ve got requests out, and will add information as we get it. So far the first citywide-media coverage we’ve seen is at KING5.com.

12:58 PM: Just added a photo of strikers outside WM’s West Marginal Way facility. Also just received this WM statement:

After more than six months of contract negotiations and sixteen comprehensive proposals, Waste Management was disappointed that Teamsters Local 117 decided to strike today. “We are perplexed that the Union chose to go out on strike and negatively impact the public in this way. This was simply unnecessary, especially considering the fair and generous last, best and final package offered to Teamsters Local 117 over four weeks ago,” said Robin Freedman of Waste Management. “Once again the Union leadership has chosen political gamesmanship rather than allowing their members to vote on the offer.”

The company is now shifting their focus to customer communications and implementing their contingency plan.

Collection Schedules
Not knowing the length of this strike, WM encourages customers to place their materials at the curb according to their regular collection schedule. If materials are not collected by the end of the day, bring them in and WM will collect a double load on your next collection day. Please check the WM website for daily collection information at www.wmnorthwest.com

ADDED 4:04 PM: Seattle Public Utilities has now sent an advisory to customers – if you’re reading this from the home page, it’s after the jump:

As a strike by Teamster Union Local 117 continues, Waste Management is reporting that nearly all of its business and residential garbage, recycling and yard waste collections have stopped in Seattle today — and that many routes, in all wastes streams, will likely remain uncollected by the end of today.

The company also warns of continuing disruptions in solid waste collections tomorrow, Thursday, July 26.

Seattle Public Utilities SPU) asks recycling customers who were missed for collection today to put out their recycling next Wednesday, Aug. 1. There will be no charge for additional items placed at the curb.

Thursday customers should put their garbage, yard waste and recycling out before 7 a.m. tomorrow.

The strike could affect about 60 percent of the city, in Northwest and South Seattle (see attached map). Teamster Local 117’s contract with Waste Management expired May 31. In Seattle, Local 117 represents only recycling drivers, and other drivers are covered by separate labor agreements. However, Waste Management is reporting that yard and garbage drivers also stopped collecting today.

Collections by CleanScapes, which covers about 40 percent of the city (see map) are not impacted by the strike.

SPU Director Ray Hoffman said that although the City of Seattle is not part of the negotiations between Waste Management and the Teamsters, he expects the two parties continue to engage in good faith negotiations toward a speedy and successful outcome.

Under its contract with the city, Waste Management is required to continue services in the event of any disruption. Specifically, any missed collections due to any labor complications must be collected later in the week, or the following week. Waste Management will not be paid for any non-service.

The contract allows the city to deduct approximately $4,500 per day in payments to Waste Management for any services that are not completed the next day. For any interruptions that continue more than a week, contractors can also be fined substantially for service failure, up to $250,000 per day.

“Protecting public health and safety will continue to be the city’s guiding principle throughout this collection disruption,” Hoffman said.

SPU will provide updates as needed. Customers with solid waste service issues or concerns may call the Call Center at (206) 684-3000.

Customers with labor/union questions or concerns should contact Waste Management or Teamsters Local 174.

9:13 PM UPDATE: An update from The Seattle Times (WSB partner) tonight clarifies that Teamsters garbage-truck drivers are off the job too, in a show of support for the recycling/yard-waste drivers. But as noted above, if you have pickup tomorrow, you are advised to get your can(s) out as usual anyway.

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