Trash fumes mix with summer heat, frustrating residents and business owners|@teamsters|X
Republic Services workers in several US cities have been on strike since July 1, leaving dumpsters full and several regions in California, Illinois, Georgia and Washington struggling.
The Teamsters union claims workers are underpaid and mistreated, while the company accuses the union of refusing to compromise.
In Gloucester, Massachusetts, officials have sued Republic for breach of contract. Trash fumes mix with summer heat, frustrating residents and business owners.
Workers report unsafe, unsanitary conditions—like wading through pools of human and animal waste.
While strikes ended in parts of Washington and California, major areas like Boston remain affected. With no talks scheduled, businesses and cities are improvising cleanup efforts.
Meanwhile, overflowing trash threatens health, livelihoods, and community morale.