MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Teamsters Local 667 said Republic Services workers went on strike in both Memphis and Millington over what they say are unfair labor practices and the recent death of a co-worker.
Memphis Police said about 11:30 a.m. March 30, 2023, a pedestrian was struck and killed at the Shelby County Landfill in the 5400 block of Malone Road. MPD said they found a woman dead at the scene. Investigators have not released any other information on what happened.
The Teamsters union said about 2 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, workers with Republic Services walked off the job in protest.
“It’s almost unbelievable that Republic Services would demand workers surrender their safety bonus just days after a worker was killed at the Landfill,” said James Jones, President of Teamsters Local 667, in a news release.
Republic Services responded to the strike with the following statement:
"It is disappointing that the Teamsters chose to call a strike this morning rather than continuing to negotiate in good faith toward a fair contract. Our goal is to reach an agreement that increases our employees’ compensation and solidifies their status at the top-end of industry compensation in the market.
Safety has been and will always be our number one priority. The union is referencing the recent tragic loss of a company manager at the South Shelby Landfill who was fatally injured by a third-party truck. We are devastated about the passing of our colleague.
Due to the union’s work stoppage, we are implementing contingency plans that will enable us to continue to provide the high level of service that our customers expect. We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause and appreciate your understanding as we work to resume normal service as quickly as we can."
The Teamsters said the strike is taking place almost 55 years to the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis while supporting striking sanitation workers in 1968, which happened after two workers were killed on the job.