Scale Operators and Operations Specialists Vote to Join Teamsters Local 174 and Local 231 in Washington

(TUKWILA, Wash.) - Workers at Waste Management, Inc. (WMI) have voted to join Teamsters Local 174 and 231 in Washington. The nearly 30 workers overcame a rigorous anti-union campaign from management, including a barrage of captive-audience meetings. The group consists of scale operators and operations specialists at eight different WMI facilities in the Puget Sound area and is the first of their work classification nationwide to successfully join the Teamsters Union.

The vote to unionize follows a historic contract victory for WMI members at Locals 174, 117, and 231.

"We are proud of these workers for standing up to management and making the decision to become Teamsters like so many of their co-workers," said Rick Hicks, Teamsters Joint Council 28 President and Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer. "They were tired of being treated as second class workers while Teamster members were achieving the recognition of their contributions to the company's bottom line. This major decision to become Teamsters is going to be a life-changing experience for them. We look forward to welcoming them into our family."

Teamsters Joint Council 28 represents approximately 650 Waste Management Teamsters covered under a Common Clauses Agreement across three Local Unions: Local 231 in Skagit County, and Locals 117 and 174 in King County. The new group will begin negotiations shortly to achieve a first contract.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via emailEmail