HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-25; City Council; ; Update on the Transition of the City’s Franchise Agreement for Solid Waste Recycling and Organics ServicesCA Review _RMC_
Meeting Date:
To:
From:
Staff Contact:
Subject:
Districts:
Jan. 25, 2022
Mayor and City Council
Scott Chadwick, City Manager
James Wood, Environmental Management Director
james.wood@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-7584
Update on the Transition of the City’s Franchise Agreement for Solid
Waste Recycling and Organics Services
All
Recommended Action
Receive a report from Republic Services, the city’s new franchise waste hauler, on the new
agreement for recycling, organics and solid waste collection and organic materials processing
services.
Executive Summary
Staff from Allied Waste Systems, Inc., also known as Republic Services of San Diego, or Republic
Services, will make a presentation on the transition process as required to implement the city
franchise agreement.
Discussion
The city’s current franchise agreement for collection and recycling of solid waste will expire on
June 30, 2022. On June 16, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-111, authorizing
staff to issue a request for proposal for solid waste services, including recycling and organics
recycling.
On April 6, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-075, approving Republic
Services as the new city franchise hauler. This new contract is effective July 1, 2022, and will
expire on June 30, 2032, with an option to renew for up to an additional five-year period.
Republic Services has developed a transition plan and its staff are meeting regularly with city
staff to ensure all contractual requirements are being met and implemented in a timely
manner.
Fiscal Analysis
This item is informational only and has no fiscal impact.
Next Steps
Staff will continue to work with the city’s new franchise waste hauler to manage
implementation of the new contract.
Jan. 25, 2022 Item #5 Page 1 of 2
Environmental Evaluation
Providing a report on the transition of a franchise agreement does not constitute a project
within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act in keeping with California Public
Resources Code Section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct or indirect
physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment.
Public Notification
Public notice of this item was posted in keeping with the state's Ralph M. Brown Act, and it was
available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibits
None.
Jan. 25, 2022 Item #5 Page 2 of 2
Tammy Cloud-McMinn
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Council Internet Email
Friday, January 21, 2022 9:42 AM
City Clerk
FW: Waste Management
From: Kris Wright <kriswrt222@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2022 8:20 AM
,,,,..
All Receive -Agenda Item #-::i_
For the Information of the:
. F~T'fE OUNCIL
Date ~ ✓cc v
CM r ACM v DCM (3) / ---
To: James Wood <James.Wood@carlsbadca.gov>; Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov>; Scott Chadwick
<Scott.Chadwick@carlsbadca .gov>
Subject: Re: Waste Management
Hi Jamie,
I always appreciate your input, and I am writing to provide you with the letter written by the Mayor of the City of
Chula Vista with the hopes that if there is a way to reopen the bidding process for our trash services-with the
hopes of contacting Waste Management to encourage them to bid.
Have you already signed the contract with Republic? Did you notice a clause that the Mayor brings to light in
her letter that perhaps could be changed if we are mandated to continue with Republic so that communication
can be reliable? This seems like a very unreliable company with poor treatment of its employees.
Do you think this could go back to Council?
https: //www. sand iegou niontribu ne. com/opinion/ com mentary/story/2022-01-20/chu la-vista-republic-services-
worker-stri ke ?fbclid= lwAR3AAi l-FC UXh5S6Y qWfB Bw8BH IOY 15KO25Ls6JadlstdKnyoY1 DLuuC-hs
Thanks,
Kris
BY MARY CASILLAS SALAS
JAN. 20, 2022 4:03 PM PT
Casillas Salas is the mayor of Chula Vista.
As relieved as I am about the Republic Services sanitation workers' strike being settled and that full trash collection
has begun in Chula Vista, I am outraged at the situation that left trash overflowing throughout the city,
endangering our health and our environment. I am not alone in this outrage. As mayor, I have received over 1,000
emails and phone calls from irate constituents about the trash on our streets, in our parks and at multi-family
complexes.
It does not matter that these conditions were the result of a labor dispute between a private business and its
employees. Nor does it matter that city government could not intervene to settle this strike. What does matter is
that Republic Services failed to fulfill its duty under the contract with the city to collect trash, recycling and green .
waste from our homes, multi-family complexes and businesses.
Republic Services could have settled this strike quickly with little impact on our residents. All Republic employees
wanted were safer working conditions, improved wages, better benefits, and to be treated with dignity and
respect. Instead, concerned about its competitiveness in commercial trash hauling markets in other areas of San
Diego County, Republic Services took a hard line against its employees. As a result, all of Chula Vista suffered.
The mayor, City Council and city staff are responsible for protecting the health and safety of the residents of Chula
Vista. City staff met with Republic Services regularly to insist that it fulfill its duties under our contract. We were
1
repeatedly assured by Republic Services that it was taking the necessary steps to bring in workers from other areas
to collect the trash. Despite these assurances, Republic was unable to fulfill all of its responsibilities.
Many Chula Vista residents urged us to cancel the contract and obtain a new trash collection company.
Unfortunately, a provision in the contract defined a work stoppage as an "uncontrollable circumstance" and
prevented us from outright canceling the contract.
Throughout this ordeal, Republic gave optimistic information to city staff and very little information to our
residents. I personally was assured that a clean sweep would be conducted and that all containers {trash, recycling
and green waste) would be collected. Based on this assurance and because Republic failed to provide ongoing
information to customers, I issued a statement informing Chula Vista about the clean sweep. Because it was
impossible for customers to contact Republic directly, I gave out my email address. While Republic tried, the
company discovered that it took more than three days to collect what normally would be collected in one day, and,
without notifying me or anyone else, discontinued this effort by the fourth day.
This lack of communication or miscommunication made an intolerable situation worse. The lack of reliable
information exacerbated the outrage city residents felt when their trash was not picked up. Residents could not get
through to the Republic Services call center. Republic Services did not provide any information directly to the news
media or to its customers about what to expect during the work stoppage.
Chula Vista residents turned to the city to vent their frustration and to try to get information -and rightfully so. It
is the city, after all, that issued the contract for trash collection, and we are ultimately responsible.
Now that the strike has been settled, where do we go from here? Full trash collection began Tuesday, but it will
take a couple of weeks to get back to normal. City crews and contractors will continue to assist with clean-up
efforts at multi-family complexes to collect overflow trash.
The City Council is united in urging Republic Services to offer customers either a reimbursement or a credit for
services that were paid for but not received.
The contract with Republic Services runs through 2024, and the City Council has asked city staff to look into
rebidding the contract for trash collection and to possibly bring the service in-house. Trash collection is a
dangerous job. While I have some concerns about liability and workers' compensation, having city employees in
city trucks collect our trash, recycling and yard waste might guarantee that this does not happen again. Since we
want this done right, maybe we must do it ourselves.
On Tue, Dec 21, 2021 at 10:15 AM James Wood <James.Wood@carlsbadca .gov> wrote:
The new contract is not effective until July 1, 2022 and hopefully any issues will be reconciled prior to that time. We
will continue to work with Republic to ensure all services contractually required will be implemented.
Thanks,
Jamie
From: Kris Wright <kriswrt222@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 202110:13 AM
To: James Wood <James.Wood@carlsbadca .gov>
Subject: Re: Waste Management
2
Thanks for answering so quickly, Jamie! I became interested in this b/c of the fact that Republic is on strike
in Chula Vista. Does that concern you?
Happy Holidays!
Kris
On Tue, Dec 21, 2021 at 10:05 AM James Wood <James.Wood@carlsbadca.gov> wrote:
Good morning. A Request for Proposals was issued for the hauling of solid waste and to include the new programs
necessary to comply with the state organics recycling laws. Waste Management did not submit a proposal for the
new contract and therefore could not be considered for the new agreement. Please let me know if you have any
other questions.
Thanks,
Jamie
From: Kris Wright <kriswrt222@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2021 9:04 AM
To: James Wood <James .Wood@carlsbadca.gov>
Subject: Waste Management
Hi James,
I was reviewing your presentation from March 23 this year at the City Council meeting, discussing the ending
of the Franchise agreement of Waste Management. You discussed the new S81383 as well as the two
potential replacement companies, EDCO and Republic on June 30, 2022.
Why wasn't Waste Management, our current provider, not being considered as one of the choices for a
renewed contract?
Thanks,
Kris
Kris Wright
kriswrt222@gma ii .com
3
Tammy Cloud-McMinn
From: Council Internet Email
Sent:
To:
Monday, January 24, 2022 7:48 AM
City Clerk
Subject: FW: Member Patel -Please address your Republic vote -please respond
From: Brian Heid <carlsbadbrian@yahoo.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2022 7:09 AM
To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov>
Subject: Re: Member Patel -Please address your Republic vote -please respond
Resending to council as it bounced back from Patel.
On Saturday, January 22, 2022, 07:02:17 AM PST, Brian Heid <carlsbadbrian@yahoo.com> wrote:
Member Patel, Please respond. Member Acosta did, but you did not. Non responses make it hard to
vote for you next time. Word spreads ... social media ... you get it.
Thanks for being responsive!
On Sunday, January 16, 2022, 12:14:40 PM PST, Brian Heid <carlsbadbrian@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hope to hear a response from you on Tuesday. Non-responses just frustrate your constituents and
make it harder to vote for you. I can contact the newspapers and local news reporters and have them
ask you for a response on the record, but I was hoping to hear from you directly. Your choice ...
On Thursday, January 13, 2022, 04:54:40 PM PST, Brian Heid <carlsbadbrian@yahoo.com> wrote:
I am holding you accountable for your votes.
Specifically council members Acosta and Patel ... You voted for the union company
Republic. Republic union is now on strike in Chula Vista with trash piling up, rats spreading disease
and poopy diapers contaminating streets. It is third world levels of disease.
Please tell me your plan when Republic strikes in Carlsbad and there is poop and rats running down
city streets. I understand you can't state that you are union controlled and supported, but at least tell
me a decent story that I can believe as to why you wanted Republic over EDCO.
Also, can you guarantee me that my rates won't go up and my service will be just as good as Waste
Management or EDCO?
1
Tammy Cloud-McMinn
From:
Sent:
To:
Council Internet Email
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 11 :10 AM
City Clerk
Subject: FW: Request to Reopen Council Discussion regarding Republic Services
From: Erin Nielsen <erin2busy@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2022 4:37 PM
To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca .gov>
Subject: Request to Reopen Council Discussion regarding Republic Services
Mayor and Members of the Council,
All Receive • Agen da Item #-5
For the Information of th~
,S{!J COUNCIL
D~ v"CC.,..---
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Unfortunately, I am unable to attend this week's Council meeting and cannot make my request in person so I hope you'll
consider my comments via this email.
Since the transition to Republic has not yet taken place and is in the very early planning stages, I ask that you bring back
your decision on selecting them as our new trash hauler and ask the City Manager or City Attorney to look into the legal
options of reopening the bid. I understand that the bid can be reopened when questions arise regarding "general
service issues" before the transition takes place. Their service issues are not industry standard and continue to increase.
It's going to be a huge change for residents to separate their trash properly to meet the new California green laws ...
please don't add to this by saddling us with a company that has major service issues. Carlsbad does not deserve the
drama that Republic has caused in Chula Vista and Huntington Beach.
The San Diego Times Editorial Board recently wrote that "If a local government doesn't have the legal firepower to
match that of the deep-pocketed company it is negotiating with, that is a big problem" and I agree. Republic has a
reputation for excellent advertising and lobbying but a poor reputation for customer service. Carlsbad residents will be
better served by your 2nd choice, EDCO Disposal Corporation because we deserve a company that cares equally about
both the communities they serve and their employees.
Please reopen the bidding process with HF&H and although EDCO is an excellent choice, I think it's fair to your
constituents to accept the bid from Waste Management that was apparently delivered 15 minutes late.
Most sincerely,
Erin Nielsen
10 5 5 13 U0Y1,Cv pl,a,ce,
Cet,VIib-cui,, CA 92008
71 4 -721 -0337
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safe.
1
Tammy Cloud -McMinn
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Dear City Clerk,
Lennie A <lenarkans@gmail.com>
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 1 :15 PM
City Clerk; Celia Brewer; Scott Chadwick
January 25th -Agenda Item #5
Jan. 25 Republic Trash Service questions.pdf
Please submit my letter into today's city council meeting.
Thank you,
Ellie
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safe.
1
January 25th, 2022 Item #5 Republic Service Trash
Dear Mayor, Staff and Council,
I am requesting our city attorney Celia Brewer, and expert in environment James Woods, to revisit the
contract to see if Republic, and or Representatives Patel and Schumacher breached any part of the
Termination clause(s) or violated policy before voting for the Republic Services contract. Ms. Brewer,
please revisit Gov. code Section 54956.S(a) and the definition of "Emergency situation(s)" that currently
exists with our city that would possibly allow the city of Carlsbad to withdraw or severe relations with
Republic Services. I'm requesting you report back in a future meeting to discuss my concerns.
Under Gov. Section: : Did Republic Services meet, try to mislead, deceive, or promise Council
members Priya Patel, who admits to meeting the Teamsters, Teresa Acosta who denies any meeting
with Teamsters, and Cori Schumacher, who claimed "nothing to disclose" in the March 11th
communications with Teamsters, in order for them to chose their contract over EDCO?
• According to the April 6th meeting, public disclosures were made by Representative
Patel that she "MET" with Teamsters. It was also disclosed in a staff presentation that a
"Meeting was held with Teamsters on March 11th, 2021".
• Under staff policy??/? : is this considered a quid pro quo?
• Republic Service Area Pres. Mr. Javara Perrilliat claimed Republic Services R&D were
working toward "electrification" of their vehicles. He had specifically said Republic is working on
electric refuse trucks during the April 6th presentation at the council meeting before the vote.
• Mr. Chadwick, what kind of trucks are you purchasing? How many of them are electrical
refuse trucks? Are these electric 'refuse trucks' specific to servicing Carlsbad? If so, how much
are they costing the citizens.
Today, there is no electric technology to support electric trash trucks ... no electrical trucks will be used in
Cbad according to Mr. James Woods. There are No electric fleets! His presentation was very confusing
and at the least, misleading to the council and public.
So, Mr. Chadwick, on the April 6th meeting you mentioned that trucks needed to be ordered if we were
going to meet the July 1, 2022 start date. Are we on track to meet this deadline, and again, what types
of "trucks" or vehicles are being purchased? Many of us want to know what happens in the Chula
Vista/San Diego scenario?
I'm requesting disclosure of the costs of these vehicles and the type of vehicles being purchased at a
near future meeting.+++++++++++++++++
If these "trash trucks" run on gas and our Gov. is looking to no longer sell gas run vehicles by 2030, why
are we wasting$$ on trucks that will be eliminated in 8 years? EDCO was the obvious SUPERIOR CHOICE
environmentally. The idea of EDCO's environmental reward on unique approach and their recycling our
compost and turning it into anaerobic digested fuel is brilliant! This technology is already in place, and
was over looked by Representatives Patel, Acosta and Schumacher.
If this contract is in place, for the next 10 years, or more, Cori Schumacher, my district representative
Acosta and Patel have crippled Carlsbad by increasing costs, increasing carbon emissions and our carbon
footprint, by choosing Republic Services over EDCO, and in my opinion, for establishing a Union contract
at their own self-interests over their constituents.
Documents copied off the Gov. section of laws:
(3) No action or discussion shall be undertaken on any item not appearing on the posted agenda, except
that members of a legislative body or its staff may briefly respond to statements made or questions
posed by persons exercising their public testimony rights under Section 54954.3. In addition, on their
own initiative or in response to questions posed by the public, a member of a legislative body or its staff
may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement, or make a brief report on his or her
own activities. Furthermore, a member of a legislative body, or the body itself, subject to rules or
procedures of the legislative body, may provide a reference to staff or other resources for factual
information, request staff to report back to the body at a subsequent meeting concerning any matter,
or take action to direct staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the legislative body may take action on items of business not
appearing on the posted agenda under any of the conditions stated below. Prior to discussing any item
pursuant to this subdivision, the legislative body shall publicly identify the item.
(1) Upon a determination by a majority vote of the legislative body that an emergency situation
exists, as defined in Section 54956.S.
GOVERNMENT CODE-GOV
TITLE 5. LOCAL AGENCIES [50001 -57607] ( Title 5 added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 81.)
DIVISION 2. CITIES, COUNTIES, AND OTHER AGENCIES [53000 -55821] ( Division 2 added by Stats. 1949,
Ch. 81.)
PART 1. POWERS AND DUTIES COMMON TO CITIES, COUNTIES, AND OTHER AGENCIES [53000 -54999.7]
( Part 1 added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 81. )
CHAPTER 9. Meetings [54950 -54963] ( Chapter 9 added by Stats. 1953, Ch. 1588. )
54956.5.
(a) For purposes of this section, "emergency situation" means both of the following: (1) An
emergency, which shall be defined as a work stoppage, crippling activity, or other activity
that severely impairs public health, safety, or both, as determined by a majority of the
members of the legislative body.
(b)
(c) (2) A dire emergency, which shall be defined as a crippling disaster, mass destruction,
terrorist act, or threatened terrorist activity that poses peril so immediate and significant
that requiring a legislative body to provide one-hour notice before holding an emergency
meeting under this section may endanger the public health, safety, or both, as determined
by a majority of the members of the legislative body.
(d)
(e) (b) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), in the case of an emergency situation involving matters
upon which prompt action is necessary due to the disruption or threatened disruption of
public facilities, a legislative body may hold an emergency meeting without complying with
either the 24-hour notice requirement or the 24-hour posting requirement of Section 54956
or both of the notice and posting requirements.
(f)
(g) (2) Each local newspaper of general circulation and radio or television station that has
requested notice of special meetings pursuant to Section 54956 shall be notified by the
presiding officer of the legislative body, or designee thereof, one hour prior to the
emergency meeting, or, in the case of a dire emergency, at or near the time that the
presiding officer or designee notifies the members of the legislative body of the emergency
meeting. This notice shall be given by telephone and all telephone numbers provided in the
most recent request of a newspaper or station for notification of special meetings shall be
exhausted. In the event that telephone services are not functioning, the notice
(h)
requirements of this section shall be deemed waived, and the legislative body, or designee
of the legislative body, shall notify those newspapers, radio stations, or television stations of
the fact of the holding of the emergency meeting, the purpose of the meeting, and any
action taken at the meeting as soon after the meeting as possible.
(i) (c) During a meeting held pursuant to this section, the legislative body may meet in closed
session pursuant to Section 54957 if agreed to by a two-thirds vote of the members of the
legislative body present, or, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, by a
unanimous vote of the members present.
(j)
(k) (d) All special meeting requirements, as prescribed in Section 54956 shall be applicable to a
meeting called pursuant to this section, with the exception of the 24-hour notice
requirement.
(I)
(m) (e) The minutes of a meeting called pursuant to this section, a list of persons who the
presiding officer of the legislative body, or designee of the legislative body, notified or
(n)
attempted to notify, a copy of the rollcall vote, and any actions taken at the meeting shall be
posted for a minimum of 10 days in a public place as soon after the meeting as possible.
(o) (Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 175, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)
With respect,
Ellie Arkans-District 4 Resident
619 787-8100
Tammy Cloud-McMinn
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
To: the city council:
Lawrence Posner <lhposner@hotmail.com>
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 2:47 PM
Teresa Acosta; Priya Bhat-Patel; Peder Norby; Keith Blackburn; Matthew Hall
Manager Internet Email; Attorney; City Clerk
How Republic Services Broke the Strike
I just don't understand why and how the city of Carlsbad, in spite of our own staffs recommendatior_J
our consultant and just plain common sense our council voted to 3 to 2, give Republic the contract for
Garbage disposal for 10 Years ...
This situation is just "UnACCEPTABLE" and should be addressed by the council immediately ..
I believe that the 2 council member who voted for this disaster should RESIGN immediately because
they placed their own interest ahead to Carlsbad •••
The below is a reprint of the article that was reported on this week •••
"Fine City: How Republic Services Broke the Strike
Teamsters Local 542 started its strike last month expecting a better contract from Republic Services after
watching a successful strike in Orange County. But the company saw a de facto deadline in the workers'
existing employment con.tract, and held the line until it broke.
https:/lwww.voiceofsandiego.orgltopics/economy/fine-city-how-republic-services-broke-the-
strikel?fbclid=lwAR1 PSrwPSDr6GqNQc73qQpUE6LybPUAfBF40NkhvJAcfxAIT5R0ABbH3-m0
Like many of the sanitation workers who went on strike Dec. 17, Arturo Tapia didn't believe the dispute
would last long. When members of Teamsters Local 542 stopped working to demand better wages and
benefits, he assumed the matter would be settled by the New Year.
A similar sanitation strike initiated by another group of Teamsters had been resolved in a week. The same
day Republic Services, a private waste disposal company, struck that deal in Orange County, the worker:,
who pick up trash in Chula Vista and other parts of the county walked off the job, took up signs and sta11ed
marching outside the Otay landfill.
Union membership has been declining in the United States for decades, but there's been a resurgence in
labor organizing and demonstrations. The pandemic revealed to otherwise comfortable people the essent=al
nature of certain jobs -without which the entire system falls apart.
A sense of camaraderie filled the air during those first few weeks of the strike. The workers grilled and
tossed a football. As time dragged on, though, Tapia and others began to feel immense pressure.
Strikes only work if the union's members stay off the job and hold themselves to the collective cause. But
word began to spread that several of their own had abandoned the strike and crossed the picket line. As ?ae
company sought ways to clean up trash that was piling lip and generating complaints, it brought in non-
unionized workers from other parts of the country.
There was also an unofficial deadline looming over the heads of the Teamsters based on the terms of thelr
previous contract. If they waited too long, they risked losing their health care.
1
Holding out for a better deal became increasingly difficult.
The union provided financial support but it wasn't enough to cover all the costs of raising a family. Tapia
said he pulled his kids out of sports and dance class to save a few bucks and missed a car payment.
Things got even more serious from there.
At the start of the fourth week of the strike, he told the other Teamsters that his daughter had just been
diagnosed with a rare congenital vascular anomaly. He reported to the picket line, but her well-being was
never far from mind. She called him crying a few days later.
Tapia anxiously waited on updates from the negotiations and word of better terms.
"I'm just praying," he said.
In the end, Tapia stood by his fellow strikers but he was relieved when a majority of union members, hia,selt
included, voted yes earlier this week on a new collective bargaining agreement that was almost ident(ca:
to the one they'd spiked 11 days prior. Arturo Tapia, a sanitation worker and member of Teamsters Loc=-
542; awaits the vote on a new collective bargaining agreement on Jan. 17, 2022, in San Diego. I Photo by
Jesse Marx
Republic Services had held out in the face of bad publicity and managed to wear the strikers· down. The
workers had wanted a $6 raise over five years and settled for $4.90. Although the final offer represented a
20 percent increase in hourly pay and included more allowances for boots ~nd tools, many felt it wasn':
good enough in an expensive region like San Diego's.
At the base rate of $24.60 going into the strike, the workers were pulling in about $51,000 a year before
taxes. Those willing to put in 60 hours, up to six days a week, could make as much as $75,000, but that's a
grueling schedule, especially for a job that's considered one of the most dangerous.
Tapia is married with three children. His family would need to earn $50.54 an hour, about twice his curreat
pay, to support his family in San Diego County, according to MIT's living wage calculator, which relies o.-, a
wide range of typical expenses.
Republic Services' final offer also included a $1,000 signing bonus and an extra 10-cent per hour pensio'l
contribution over the previous· offer. But the improvements came with a warning.
In a letter to the workers over the weekend, a local general manager wrote that "the company will begin ihe
process of reducing routes and laying off employees if our employees continue to refuse to return to
work." -
Whether that's legal is an open question. Employers cannot retaliate against workers for engaging in a
strike, but legally there is some room for layoffs under certain circumstances. Salvador Abrica, a union
organizer, told me a lawyer for the Teamsters is reviewing all its communications from the company ove_-
the course of the strike.
The sanitation strike generated a ton of media coverage featuring images of dumpsters flowing into the
streets and attracting pests. It leff: a literal mess. Yet one of the more important aspects of the strike -H:s
internal point of tension, though harder to visualize -escaped public attention.
Most of the workers I spoke to were committed to the strike as long as the majority wanted to keep it goi;ig.
But others were nervous about getting a deal done as soon as possible because they're obligated to wcrk
80 hours a month to keep their health insurance. That meant the workers were covered for January, but l".!ot
February, unless they got back in their trucks soon and logged two full weeks.
While some of the workers felt like their loyalties were divided over-healthcare, others were committed tc
the sacrifice. Juan Berber complained to me that some guys were simply using the Teamsters as a vehi=1e
for better wages and didn't appreciate the purpose of solidarity.
"No one forced you to work (!nion," he said. "You gotta stand with everyone regardless of individual
problems."
Republic Services Workers march in circles to prevent a garbage truck from crossing the picket line on .;.Bn.
15; 2022. I Photo by Joe Orellana for Voice of San Diego
Aff:er weeks of silence, Chula Vista came to the workers' defense on Jan. 11, but elected officials were o~Jy
willing at the time to offer fiery language and sympathy. They grilledRepublic Services' managers but tfien
pointed to a provision in the city's franchise agreement that excused the company in the 'face of a strike. or
work stoppage.
It limited their options, but it wasn't a free pass. The city had other ways to exert power. It could, for
instance, level fines against Republic Services for failing to pick up waste but decided that clean-up was :1
more urgent matter. Officials redirected some of their own employees to clear the trash accumulating
outside apartment complexes. ·
2
Even members of the City Council expressed frustration over official handling of the strike. Councilwor;an
Jill Galvez stopped by the picket line on Friday and told the workers she was embarrassed by the city's
month-long inaction. ·
"I wish people would stop saying what we can't do with our contract," she told me afterwards. "That's op to
a judge to decide and place blame later. Our job right now is to communicate with Republic [Services] tt-.at
we have a contract and they are failing to perform. Period."
Chula Vista was the center of the strike because waste disposal services had been completely halted th ere,
but other parts of the region were also disrupted. In the final days of the strike, both the city and count),· of
San Diego warned the company that it was in violation of their respective contracts.
Chula Vista's shaming of the company's managers buoyed the workers. But when management didn't
immediately make a new offer, the striking workers got the impression that the Phoenix-based companr,
which made $1.2 billion in profit in 2020, was unfazed by the criticism. Some of the workers at the strike line
concluded the city's support was too little, too late.
As Sunday rolled around, the mood outside the Teamsters's office in Grantville, where the workers had
gathered for updates on negotiations, seemed more anxious than before. But people's spirits remained .Ngh
as one speaker after another rallied the crowd, arguing that politicians and the public were on their side. A
donation page online had raised more than $12,000 at that point and the union agreed unanimously to g,i-✓e
it to the family of a man who'd gone into cardiac arrest only a few days prior. ·
In the final hours of the strike, conversation kept returning to the workers who'd crossed the line.
Nicole Moreno, business representative for the Teamsters, said she didn't respect anyone who'd betrayoo
the brothers but promised to connect those in need with government and union assistance. "You need to
let us know so we can help you," she said.
A line quickly formed in front of the table where she was standing. Tapia was among the first to put his
name down.
After-the vote was tallied on Monday, he said he thought the strike had sent a message that the company
can't do whatever it wants without being challenged. His framing was optimistic. Others seemed pissecf.
Cesar Silva voted no on the contract because it fell short of what the workers actually wanted and he dicf., 't
believe the signing bonus would amount to much. At the same time, he viewed the past month as a lesS"....r,
for the union, revealing weaknesses in their own communications and the need for a bigger fund for futwe
strikes.· ·
"They drained us," he said of the company. "They showed the power that they have, they flexed their
billions. And then at the end of the day, our guys just had to go back to work."
I called Laderer Hampton the next day to check in. He had been one of the faces of the strike, pushed in
front of the TV cameras by his fellow Teamsters whenever reporters came to the picket line in search of-;;
sound bite. But he was forced to abandon his post last week, and ended up missing the final vote, when tlis
elderly mother went into a hospital.
He said he was pleased to see the increases in pension contributions. At 63, he's nearing the end of a lo~g
career in manual labor.
Hampton· echoed the ambiguity I'd been hearing in the voices of others and drove home why the workers
could be simultaneously proud of the strike, glad to move on, and bu,r,med aboutits outcome.
Hampton had spent the month dipping into savings to care for family members. He had planned on retirfug
in six months. But the strike may have set back his retirement date. ·.
Even with the new contract, he's preparing for the possibility that his pension and social security won't
cover all his costs of living. He expects he'll need to find a part-time job.
"It just depends on how I feel, physically and mentally," he ·said. "I'd like to go one or two more years, bvt
right now I'm just gonna take it one day at a time."
He's committed, in the meantime, to holding his head high."
Best Regards
. Larry Posner
lhposner@hotmail.com
Mobil 646-247-7742
3
"Nothing sucks more than that moment, during an argument, when you realize you're wrong!"
CAUTION: Do not o en attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the con811t i
4
Tammy Cloud-McMinn
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Good Afternoon Mayor & Council:
Kristy Burns <burnzzysbrightshine@aol.com>
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 2:54 PM
City Clerk
Agenda Items #5 Support-Transition to Republic Service
I appreciate that there will be options for the things I choose or not-some of the services I need and want, others I don':,
so I appreciate the flexibility on some of those choices. Bulky item pick up is key and I know I will utilize that from time b
time, and of course, we all have e-waste that needs to be handled property. I will look forward to seeing those shiny new
blue trucks on my street.
Be safe and take care,
Kristy Burns
6823 Embarcadero Lane
Carlsbad CA 92009
CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the conten-i
safe.
1
City of Carlsbad City Council
Committed to Serve Our Carlsbad Community
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
~~ REPUBLIC' ~~ SERVICES
2
Organics & SB 1383
Mulch will be provided to the
Carlsbad community free of charge
`
•Republic Services will
process the food waste
recycling at our composting
facility at the Otay Landfill
•California’s first fully solar
compost facility
•2020 Organics Recycler of
the Year by the National
Waste & Recycling
Association (NWRA)
The new facility is completely run off of solar power
3
Addressing each portion of the material stream to
maximize diversion on the path to Zero Waste!
Carlsbad Services Overview
Auxiliary Services
Weekly Collection
•Bulky Items
-Scheduled
collection 5x
year
•Batteries –
Bagged on
top of
recycling
cart
•E-Waste –
Curbside, Drop-
off, Mail-back
•Sharps Waste
collection
•Annual
Shredding
Events 2x
year
•Repair,
Refurb, Re-
use –
Partner with
local
charities for
resale
Recycling
Organics
Landfill
4
Timeline
Fall 2021
•Ordered trucks and equipment
•Identified staffing needs
•Prepared communication plans and materials needs
Winter 2022
•Poll WM drivers for employment
•Business Waste Assessments
•Website
•CRC –February 1st
•Begin community outreach
Spring 2022
•Delivery of trucks and equipment
•Begin delivery of residential carts
•Mail Service Guides to the community
•Education and outreach on SB 1383 and recycling programs
Service Begins –July 1, 2022
5
•Waste Assessment –December
2021 thru March
•Container Exchanges –May and
June
•Food Waste Recycling Program
begins -July 1
Communication to Community
•Newsletters –Monthly
•Cart Delivery –Spring 2022
•Service Guides -May
•Food Waste Recycling Program
begins –July 1
Residential Business
Republic Services & Waste
Management Transition
•Container Exchanges
•WM/Republic Cart and
Container Overlap
6
Carlsbad Investment
39 Collection Trucks
75,000 Residential Carts
1200 Commercial Containers &
55 Industrial Roll-off containers
7
Community Outreach & Education
•Customer Outreach to Business and Residents
•Commercial Customer Visits and Waste Stream Audits
•Compliance for SB 1383 and diversion
Dedicated Carlsbad Recycling Coordinators
Full time staff in the community to develop and implement
recycling and diversion programs. Proactive outreach to
schools, business and civic organizations, and prompt
response to community inquires.
Jenna Amanda
8
Committed to Serve & Committed to Carlsbad
•Continue building on the relationship between City of Carlsbad and Palomar Transfer Station
•Civic and Community Engagement –early engagement and ramping up in 2022:
−Carlsbad Unified School District
−Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
−Kids for Peace
−North County Economic Development Corporation
−Earth Day and special events
•Commitment to local hires
•Commitment to a smooth transition of haulers and working in partnership with Waste Management