A man holds a sign that says “REPUBLIC CUT THE TRASH RESPECT YOUR WORKERS” outside of a Republic Services facility on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Trash collectors and other workers with Republic Services went on strike in Thurston County Wednesday, vowing to stay off the job until they receive better pay. While the main strike started in Lacey, there were also work stoppages in parts of King and Snohomish counties. (KOMO News)
LACEY, Wash. — Trash collectors and other workers with Republic Services went on strike in Thurston County on Wednesday, vowing to stay off the job until they receive better pay, benefits, and working conditions.
While the main strike started in Lacey Wednesday morning, it led to a ripple effect of work stoppages in cities like Kent, Bellevue, Renton and Edmonds in King and Snohomish counties.
The cities of Bellevue, Renton and Edmonds posted on Facebook Thursday morning confirming the "out-of-area labor disruption" was still impacting operations in King and Snohomish counties.
The city of Renton said "residential and commercial waste collection services" were impacted, adding that Republic Services was contacting all impacted customers.
"Republic Services is in contract negotiations with the union representing some employees at our Lacey facility, and four locations in other areas outside the state," a Republic Services spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement to KOMO News Wednesday. "Those employees are engaged in a temporary work stoppage, and are picketing at Republic Services locations in King and Snohomish counties. As a result, some customers are experiencing temporary service delays."
Members of Teamsters Local 252, with signs in hand, are demanding a new contract with the trash giant.
"When you’re making $5 to $6 less than what the neighbor up the road is making to do the same job, that’s a problem," Thurston County Transfer Station Heavy Equipment Operator Will Zekus said. "We have some guys who neglect healthcare coverage because they can’t afford it."
Workers warned that while they strike across King and Snohomish counties, some people's full trash and recycling bins might stay on the sidewalk.
"We do have the ability to shut them down to stop garbage. I know currently, as of (Wednesday) morning, Kent, Bellevue, Lynnwood, maybe a couple of other locations, have currently been shut down and garbage is not getting picked up," Zekus added.
The cities of Bellevue, Kent and Edmonds sent a warning to homeowners over social media that trash and recycling service was suspended.
Workers from Lacey also shared their message with signs outside a transfer station in Seattle's SODO neighborhood, which is a Republic Services facility.
"The economy is bad for everyone right now, and right now we’re just trying to make ends meet," driver Eddie Coleman added.
Seattle Public Utilities clarified the Republic Services strike is not impacting Seattle pickups.
"This situation is affecting Republic Services’ facility in Seattle. It processes recycling for Seattle customers. Collection for Seattle customers remains unaffected," a spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement. "Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) does not foresee short-term impacts to our customers during this situation. SPU’s contractors who provide collection, WM and Recology, are still providing service in Seattle. SPU continues to monitor this situation.”
In Thurston County, workers told KOMO News the transfer station, which takes in 1.5 million pounds of garbage every day, is county-run, so they will not be stopping drivers from continuing service.
Zekus is pushing for more staff in Lacey. Right now, the facility has 12 people running the operation, including six drivers and six heavy equipment operators. Zekus claimed that before Republic Services took over a couple of years ago, they had more manpower to help with maintenance.
"It just causes a lot of stress (and) long hours. I mean, we have some heavy equipment operators who are pulling over 400 hours of overtime a year," he explained.
In a statement, Republic Services apologized for the delays and said impacted customers will have recycling and waste collected on their next scheduled service day, similar to service for a weather delay.
"We respect the rights of our employees to engage in collective bargaining and are ready to continue discussions with the union to reach an agreement in Lacey that benefits our employees, our customers and our company," the statement read.
Workers in Lacey plan to stay on the picket line until Republic Services meets them at the bargaining table, whether that takes days or weeks.
"They're going to have to budge, because we're not," Zekus said.
Customers can check the status of their garbage pickup at the Republic Services website by using the "See Schedules" and "Track my truck" features for real-time updates.
The work stoppage follows similar actions by Republic Teamsters in Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia, and California.
Local 252 said Teamsters across the country are experiencing similar contract disputes with Republic, and they could launch strikes of their own at any time.
Workers in Lacey were seen holding signs saying “Republic Teamsters on strike” and “Hold your nose.”