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Calhoun Republic Services Workers Vote to UnionizeBy Blake Silvers
BSilvers@CalhounTimes.com
Nov 26, 2023
Local workers hold a union banner outside Calhoun’s Republic Services facility.
According to Teamsters Local 728, workers at the Calhoun Republic Services facility have voted to unionize.
Union officials say the 42 local commercial and residential drivers are seeking “higher wages, health care benefits, improved safety, better working conditions, and respect,” according to a release.
“I voted to become a Teamster because I want a voice to better my career,” said six-year Republic employee Michael Shipley, a roll-off driver and organizing committee member. “I am ready to fight for a fair contract to improve our workplace and give us the respect we deserve.”
Union organizers claim the company employed several “union-busting” tactics during the process.
“I have never seen a company willingly allow their unit observer to threaten workers with bodily harm and damage to their property,” said Chuck Stiles, Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division.
Stiles said the union may choose to seek legal action against Republic.
“If a union supporter acted as Republic’s unit observer did on election day, they would have been terminated on the spot,” Stiles said. “We will be considering the appropriate course of legal action.”
In response to these employee statements, Republic Services released the following following a media inquiry from the Calhoun Times:
“Republic Services respects our employees’ rights under federal labor law, including the right to choose to be represented by a union. We do not promote or tolerate threatening or unlawful conduct. The NLRB election process ran smoothly, and we do not know of any information to the contrary from any direct source. We intend to bargain in good faith with the union as the employees’ elected representative.”
Nov 26, 2023
Local workers hold a union banner outside Calhoun’s Republic Services facility.
According to Teamsters Local 728, workers at the Calhoun Republic Services facility have voted to unionize.
Union officials say the 42 local commercial and residential drivers are seeking “higher wages, health care benefits, improved safety, better working conditions, and respect,” according to a release.
“I voted to become a Teamster because I want a voice to better my career,” said six-year Republic employee Michael Shipley, a roll-off driver and organizing committee member. “I am ready to fight for a fair contract to improve our workplace and give us the respect we deserve.”
Union organizers claim the company employed several “union-busting” tactics during the process.
“I have never seen a company willingly allow their unit observer to threaten workers with bodily harm and damage to their property,” said Chuck Stiles, Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division.
Stiles said the union may choose to seek legal action against Republic.
“If a union supporter acted as Republic’s unit observer did on election day, they would have been terminated on the spot,” Stiles said. “We will be considering the appropriate course of legal action.”
In response to these employee statements, Republic Services released the following following a media inquiry from the Calhoun Times:
“Republic Services respects our employees’ rights under federal labor law, including the right to choose to be represented by a union. We do not promote or tolerate threatening or unlawful conduct. The NLRB election process ran smoothly, and we do not know of any information to the contrary from any direct source. We intend to bargain in good faith with the union as the employees’ elected representative.”
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