SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Although what Chula Vista's mayor described as a "sympathy strike" in the South Bay has ended, unionized Republic Services workers have decided to honor the picket line in San Diego, meaning trash pickup for some city residents will be impacted.
Teamsters' western region international vice president confirmed to ABC 10News that the picket line recognizing the Boston union's efforts has moved to San Diego as trash collection resumed in Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and other previously affected South Bay communities.
A Teamsters spokesperson says the picket lines have moved to the Republic Services location on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. The spokesperson says for the greater San Diego area, services will be interrupted for multi-unit dwellings that contract with Republic Services.
"This will most heavily impact people who live west of the 125 and north of the 94 freeways," the spokesperson wrote in an email to ABC 10News.
Last week, Republic Services workers in Boston went on strike, demanding better pay and benefits.
In several cities across the U.S., thousands of Republic Services workers showed their support for the striking Boston employees by walking off the job.
Republic Services says it is deploying more employees to support trash collections in the affected areas around the city and county. Service updates can be found via this link; customers are also getting updates via text, phone and email.
"The negotiations in Boston are unrelated to our employees in the San Diego area," a Republic Services spokesperson says. "We ask for the community’s patience during this Teamsters-led work stoppage. "
Unlike Chula Vista, San Diego residents have more than one option for trash collection services, like Edco.
This is a developing story. ABC 10News has reached out to the City of San Diego for comment on this story.
