Bernie Stands with Teamsters and Striking Sanitation Workers

[Omaha Steve]

by NH Labor News

BURLINGTON, V.T. – Sen. Bernie Sanders offered his support today to striking sanitation workers in Marshfield, MA, and called on their employer, Republic Services, to negotiate a fair contract.

What started as a small strike of 24 Republic Services drivers and members of Teamsters Local 25 has spread; as Teamsters and other supporters have honored picket lines at Republic Services locations around the country, including Seattle, WA, Fall River, MA, Anaheim, CA, Milpitas, CA, Bellevue, WA, and San Jose, CA.

Sanitation work is the 5th-most deadly job in America. Striking workers in Marshfield are currently paid 40% below what it takes to make a living wage in Massachusetts. They are calling on Republic Services to negotiate with them for fair wages and safe and sanitary working conditions.

Republic Services is the second largest waste management company in the United States, and earned a record $2.8 billion in profits in 2018. Billionaire Bill Gates, who receives more than $100 million annually in stock dividends from the company, is its largest single shareholder.

“It should not be the case that a billionaire like Bill Gates can make over $100 million each year in stock dividends from a company like Republic Services, while the workers at Republic struggle to put food on the table. I am proud to stand with the Teamsters, and with workers everywhere who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” Sen. Sanders said.

Sen. Sanders’ Campaign is encouraging supporters to come and stand in solidarity with the sanitation workers of Teamsters Local 25 on Monday, October 14 at 12pm at 965 Plan St (Route 139) in Marshfield, MA. A link to the event page can be found here: https://act.berniesanders.com/event/solidarity-event_attend/30496
NH Labor News | October 12, 2019 at 09:26 | Tags: Republic Services | URL: https://wp.me/p2yHP6-iOB

[guillaumeb]

1. Recommended.

I am reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his support for the Memphis sanitation workers.

Sanders does invaluable work by reminding us all that income inequality is not inevitable, but it is a huge part of predatory capitalism.