Side-Quest - Demand Republic Services negotiate a fair contract

Working Class Unity Side-Quests
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Side Quest Proposal

ONCE YOU ARE READY TO VOTE, PLEASE VOTE YES/NO. I am not sure about our latest quorum numbers, but quorum previously was at six, so we need 7 Yes votes for each with maximum 3 coming from Steering.

One of the workers at the Teamsters 439 Strike today mentioned that it might help them if people called into Republic Services and left a message asking them to negotiate a fair contract with the newly unionized landfill workers.

This would be a good trial run of the targeting feature in solidarity.tech, which allows people input their number, receive a call from solidarity.tech, hear a short recording with instructions, and be forwarded to Republic Service’s help desk.

I’m proposing two phases:

Phase 1: Put up a link that allows people to place calls.

Phase 2: We input our contact list that has phone numbers (~300 I think) and we text bank them (this can be done at once automatically) but we need to monitor any replies.

Optionally, we can do a Phase 3 where we phone bank and ask people to call, but I think we have our plates full already. However, if you want to try it out, please say so in your reply.

Still have to work on the language, but the form is working here: Republic Services - Working Class Unity

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I vote Aye

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I vote yes

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I vote yes

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I vote Yes.

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I vote yes one thousand times. Power to the union.

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Good on ya, Christian!

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I vote Yes. Just a funny observation, the form uses the phrase “Call The Target” which sounds ominous. :joy:

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I vote yes

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I vote yes.

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I also vote yes!

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Approved!

I’m working on the language for the petition here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v3KjPwojFwj-UECr8p_h6us_Q8JKUNrN36WQvsR0jXw/edit?tab=t.0

We should PRA all emails between Republic Services and the city. Also, how much are we paying them overall?

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I decided to waste time doing some research.

According to this City Council Agenda from November 12, 2024, they voted to issue permits to Sunrise Sanitation, Inc. (actually Republic Services).

24-1035 ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE COLLECTOR PERMITS

RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to: 1. Authorize the issuance of industrial waste collector permits to Sunrise Sanitation, Inc. (Republic Services), USA Waste of California, Inc. (WM, formerly Waste Management), and California Waste Recovery Systems, LLC (Cal-Waste). 2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to enter into and execute agreements with Council-authorized industrial waste collector permittees for the collection and disposal of industrial waste in the City of Stockton limits. It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.

In the linked agreement with Sunrise Sanitation, Inc. there is this paragraph (emphasis mine):

e. Force Majeure. Neither party shall be responsible for delays or failures in performance resulting from acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, terrorism, fire, flood, strikes, war, epidemics, pandemics, shortage of power or other acts or causes reasonably beyond the control of that party. The party experiencing the force majeure event agrees to give the other party notice promptly following the occurrence of a force majeure event, and to use diligent efforts to re-commence performance as promptly as commercially practicable.

That means that strikes are explicitly listed as events beyond the contract’s control that can be used to excuse performance failures.

Republic Services has used this provision to shield themselves while simultaneously not negotiating in good faith with unions.

In 2023, Senator Padilla put forward a bill that would ban cities from including strikes in the language above. Gavin Newsom ended up vetoing it, but in his veto he said: “Local jurisdictions voluntarily enter into franchise agreements and currently have the ability to negotiate amendments to such contracts without legislation.”

Over a year later, Stockton City Council renewed another 5 year contract with Republic Services with the union language still in their agreement.

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If you have suggestions/edits for the script, please do it Suggesting mode (or leave a comment) so we can transfer the changes into the form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v3KjPwojFwj-UECr8p_h6us_Q8JKUNrN36WQvsR0jXw/edit?usp=sharing

The form can be found here: Republic Services - Working Class Unity

When you put in your information, the number that will call you is: 209-217-5559 Please add this to your phonebook under Working Class Unity so the call does not go to spam. Right now, the carriers mark it as spam sometimes. Hopefully if we all do and let the call play through, it will increase the numbers “reputation” and connect more often.

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Thanks for making this. Could we also add the $77 billion company value somewhere in the form?

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Good idea, updated with new language.

I don’t want to share it until more of us call the number to reduce the risk of it going into spam. So everyone that voted, please call in! After hours you can leave a message. @HipGnosis @Joanna @Veewok @ckposadas @Tanner @Englishpete08 @Sauc3_L1oron_217 @Bozzii

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I’ll call in this afternoon as soon as Im done with this meeting. I’ll confirm when its done.

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I called and here are the points I addressed:

I wanted to express my extreme dissatisfaction with Republic. I told them that it is ridiculous to waste resources bringing in workers from other cities and states when if they addressed unsafe working conditions, fair benefits that workers are entitled to and offered COMPETITIVE wages (not just “fair”) then they wouldnt have have very frustrated customers like me calling in to complain. I told them I spoke to my neighbors and we are all fed up. We are not just calling Republic to express our displeasure but also the city. The workers do a very hard job and deserve to work with dignity and safety. I ended with asking them to stop negotiating in bad faith- we the communuity are watching and will hold them accountable.

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I’m posting an update I got from the president of the Teamsters Local 439, Rick Buzo, a few weeks ago after the strike ended so you guys can reference if need be:

Before Union

Most of the time no raise.
Most of the raises were 10 cents to 30 cents.

Healthcare/dental vision
Employees paying up to $1200 a month

AFTER JOINING TEAMSTERS LOCAL 439

Raises
$2.50
$1.00
$1.00
$1.50
$2.00

Teamsters healthcare
Dental/vision
$40 a month for all employees.

It’s a great 1st time contract :handshake::flexed_biceps::100::smiling_face_with_sunglasses: