2018 Atlanta sanitation strike
{{Short description|American labor strike}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox civil conflict|place=Atlanta, Georgia, United States|title=2018 Atlanta sanitation strike|date=August 10, 2018|side1=International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- Local 728|side2=Republic Services|methods=* Walkout
- Picketing|causes=* Disputes over labor contracts
- Allegations of Federal law violations|result=* Deal reached between company and union|sidebox={{Campaignbox US sanitation strikes}}}}
The 2018 Atlanta sanitation strike was a labor strike involving 120 sanitation workers for Republic Services in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The workers, members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, went on strike on August 10, 2018, with the strike ending later that day. Several days later, the union and company reached an agreement on new labor contracts.
Background
On August 5, 2018, 120 members of Local 728 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters voted to authorize strike action against their employer, Republic Services.{{Cite web|date=August 6, 2018|title=Teamsters Authorize Strike at Republic Services in Atlanta|url=https://teamster.org/2018/08/teamsters-authorize-strike-republic-services-atlanta/|url-status=live|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=International Brotherhood of Teamsters|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926052801/https://teamster.org/2018/08/teamsters-authorize-strike-republic-services-atlanta/ |archive-date=September 26, 2020 }} The workers involved were part of a unit that serviced several residential areas in Atlanta, as well as the Atlanta Public Schools, Emory Healthcare, Emory University, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Piedmont Hospital.{{Cite web|last=Ellison|first=Denver|last2=Spink|first2=John|last3=Brasch|first3=Ben|date=August 10, 2018|title=UPDATE: Atlanta sanitation workers end strike with hopes of new contract|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/atlanta-sanitation-workers-strike/9QI65QTFUIc7cZXlSqyXhJ/|url-status=live|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|publisher=Cox Enterprises|language=English|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810193148/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/atlanta-sanitation-workers-strike/9QI65QTFUIc7cZXlSqyXhJ/ |archive-date=August 10, 2018 }} The strike organizer claimed that the members voted to strike after disputes in labor contract negotiations with Republic,{{Cite web|last=Ellison|first=Denver|last2=Spink|first2=John|last3=Brasch|first3=Ben|date=August 10, 2018|title=Atlanta sanitation workers go on strike|url=https://www.wsbradio.com/news/local/atlanta-sanitation-workers-strike/jXiwqx0qBmu1ZMkBVQU35I/|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=WSBB-FM|language=en}} saying, "The company has halted bargaining and negotiating with these workers. They refuse to reduce employees' cost of health insurance. Workers don't get paid for all the time they work." Additionally, the union alleged that Republic was guilty of violating Federal law in an incident where work was taken from full-time mechanics and leased to subcontractors.{{Cite web|last=Mandel|first=Eric|date=August 27, 2018|title=Republic Services reach 5-year deal with union, didn't punish Atlanta sanitation strikers|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2018/08/27/republic-services-reach-5-year-deal-with-union.html|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=Atlanta Business Chronicle|publisher=American City Business Journals}} A previous strike involving workers for Republic occurred in 2013 in nearby McDonough, Georgia.
Course of the strike
The strike began shortly after midnight on August 10, when the workers performed a walkout.{{Cite web|date=August 14, 2018|title=Teamsters End Strike at Republic Services in Atlanta|url=https://www.teamster.org/2018/08/teamsters-end-strike-republic-services-atlanta/|url-status=live|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=International Brotherhood of Teamsters|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125080936/https://teamster.org/2018/08/teamsters-end-strike-republic-services-atlanta/ |archive-date=November 25, 2020 }} Shortly thereafter, the strikers, many wearing yellow vests, began picketing outside Republic's Atlanta offices. The strike ended later that day at 3:30 p.m., though there are disagreements regarding how the strike ended.{{Cite web|last=Mandel|first=Eric|date=August 10, 2018|title=Update: Republic Services to resume negotiations with Teamsters|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2018/08/10/120-atlanta-sanitation-workers-strike-protesting.html|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=Atlanta Business Chronicle|publisher=American City Business Journals}} In a press release, Republic claimed that union officials had "directed our employees to walk out on their jobs this morning without giving our employees a chance to vote on our comprehensive proposal,"{{Cite web|last=Buchanan|first=Christopher|date=August 10, 2018|title=Republic Services announces Atlanta sanitation worker strike over|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/republic-services-announces-atlanta-sanitation-worker-strike-over/85-582433761|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=WXIA-TV|language=en-US}} and they had "accepted an immediate and unconditional offer by Teamsters 728 to return to work." However, the strike organizer claimed that the strike had ended when it was scheduled to end, with no conversation occurring between Republic and union members. Following the end of the strike, the strike organizer didn't rule out the possibility of subsequent strike action. Republic claimed that the impact of the strike on their operations were minimal, only affecting some operations in the southern part of the city.
Aftermath
Following the strike, none of the striking employees faced disciplinary action from the company. Several days later, on August 27, the union and company reached an agreement on a new 5-year labor contract. While the details were not released, the deal addressed the issues that had led to the strike.