Teamsters-Backed Waste Accountability Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk

Bill Would Close Loophole Trash Haulers Abuse to Break Strikes and Harm Communities

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - The Teamsters applaud the California Legislature for passing Senate Bill 1371 (SB 1371) out of both chambers. Authored by Sen. María Elena Durazo, the bill would prevent municipalities from being forced to pay for waste and recycling services that aren't rendered because of a work stoppage. SB 1371 now goes to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

"On behalf of Teamsters California, I extend my appreciation to every lawmaker who supported SB 1371. This important bill will make our communities safer and improve the lives of union sanitation workers," said Victor Mineros, Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division and Co-Chair of Teamsters California. "But the job is not done yet. Teamsters California calls on Governor Newsom to sign SB 1371 without delay and hold multibillion-dollar waste haulers accountable."

When waste companies sign a contract with a municipality, they typically include a "force majeure" clause. This lets them walk away from their contractual obligations without facing penalties when trash goes uncollected due to major disruptions - even during labor disputes caused by management. SB 1371 closes this loophole by excluding labor disputes from the scenarios in which haulers can invoke a force majeure clause.

"Giant waste corporations should not be able to force workers, customers, and communities to pay the price of their greed," said Marcus Ford, a member of Teamsters Local 396 at Republic Services. "The deck is stacked against union workers. SB 1371 would put us on a more level playing field. We call on the Governor to sign this bill into law as soon as possible."

Sanitation Teamsters across the country, including Republic Services workers in Stockton, Calif., represented by Local 439, were forced on strike last year. They extended picket lines to Southern California and the Bay Area. Next month, over 3,000 Solid Waste Teamsters throughout the Los Angeles region are set to see their contracts expire.

Teamsters California is the united voice of 250,000 workers across dozens of industries who power the state's economy and communities every single day. For more information, go to teamstersca.org.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via email Email