Highlights:
- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Republic Services announced a 30 day "standstill period" between the two groups.
- This means that Evansville, Indiana workers who had been locked out by Republic Services/Allied Waste will return to work while contract negotiations continue.
- Also means that union will suspend "extended" picket lines that have been set up at Republic Service facilities in California, Michigan, and Illinois in support of the locked out Indiana workers.
- Primary issue in the Evansville lockout is an Allied Waste plan to replace the current pension system with a 401(k) plan. As part of the transition, Allied Waste has pledged to make a contribution of $1.4 million into the new retirement plan.
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See previous coverage from Waste Management Dive
From the press release:
WASHINGTON, June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Republic Services issued the following joint statement today:
"Representatives of Republic Services and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters met in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. On the basis of the discussions at that meeting, they have agreed to a standstill period in connection with ongoing contract negotiations in various cities across the United States in order for the parties to attempt to resolve their differences at the bargaining table as to whether the Company will continue to participate in the Central States Pension Plan.
"This means that all picketing and related activities at various Company locations will be temporarily suspended, and that the lockout of workers at the Company's facility in Evansville, Ind., will be temporarily suspended.
"The IBT and Republic will resume discussions shortly concerning a potential comprehensive resolution of the pension issues at those locations at which the Company currently contributes to Central States. Bargaining on other subjects will continue on a local basis.
"Both parties have committed to attempt in good faith to reach common ground and to restore a collaborative relationship that benefits Republic employees, the Company, the Union's members and the communities Republic serves. The standstill will last for 30 days unless extended by agreement of the parties."
