Atlanta sanitation workers who went on a daylong strike last week reached a tentative agreement with their employer Friday, according to a union representative.
Members of Teamsters Local Union 728 were in negotiations earlier this week with Republic Services Atlanta and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service mediators.
The two sides “have resolved all outstanding issues,” said strike organizer Ben Speight. “...These Republic Service Teamsters achieved a historic agreement, with substantial wage increases and job security protections.”
On Thursday, Speight said the workers were looking for new agreements on insurance and annual raises.
“Republic is pleased by the progress we’ve made in reaching a tentative agreement and we look forward to finalizing the agreement in the coming days,” Republic Services spokesman Russ Knocke said Friday.
He declined to address whether the 100 workers who participated in last week’s strike faced any repercussions.
The drivers, helpers, mechanics, and dispatchers are scheduled to vote to ratify the agreement on August 25. “We do not expect any further disruptions to service at this time,” Speight said.
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There were about 100 strikers wearing neon yellow reflective jackets and held signs chanting outside the Republic offices last Friday.
The workers who went on strike service Piedmont Hospital, Emory University, Emory Healthcare, Atlanta Public Schools, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and some residential communities. All but one of their unit went on strike.
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