Dive Brief:
- The Teamsters Union working at Republic Services in Atlanta, GA has launched a campaign against the company, citing equality issues as the subject of the dispute.
- The organization claims that discrimination is rearing its head in Georgia, asserting that Republic's new hires in the city are paid a lower rate than previously-employed workers who perform the same tasks.
- Some African-American employees filed charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against Republic. The complaint alleges the company offers overtime to Caucasian workers but does not extend the same opportunity to everyone else.
Dive Insight:
Republic employees in Atlanta and McDonough, GA who are members of Teamsters Local Union 728 wore stickers to show support for fellow workers. Employees from other states, including Alabama, Arkansas, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Tennessee also participated in the sticker campaign.
The Teamsters Union representing waste workers has been active in its protest against Republic Services. In August, the Teamsters distributed information to sports fans at a Colorado Rockies event regarding alleged illegal activity by Republic. And in June, Teamsters in Mobile, AL staged a mock protest against the company in response to changes made to employee health insurance plans.