SEATTLE, July 26 (UPI) -- Striking garbage haulers in counties that include Everett, Wash., and Seattle said the company, South Seattle Waste Management, was negotiating in bad faith.
Teamsters Local 117 representatives said the company had walked away from the bargaining table and was undermining negotiations by talking directly with union members.
The company said the union was grandstanding and playing politics, as a strike began Wednesday.
The Seattle Times reported that the union represents 153 drivers who work for the company that has 220,000 customers.
Company spokeswoman Robin Freedman said the strike was inexplicable, "especially considering the fair and generous last, best and final package," which she said included a $98,000 per year wage and benefits package with a 4 percent annual wage increase that would kick in after the first year of the six-year contract.
The company also said it had contingency plans in the event of a natural disaster or a drivers' strike.
Garbage pickup for critical customers, including hospitals, nursing homes and day care centers would begin by the end of the week, the company said.
Municipal officials, meanwhile, warned the strike could get very expensive for the company very quickly.
The company can be fined $4,500 per day. If service is disrupted for more than a week, the fine can soar to $250,000 a day, the newspaper said.
