Something Stinks: Trash Piles Up As Sanitation Worker Strike Finally Nears End In OC

SEAL BEACH, CA —Residential trash pickup services may begin once again on Friday, officials say.

The trash pickup has languished for two weeks as sanitation workers employed by Republic Services have been on strike, calling for better working conditions.

Meanwhile, trash is piling up and residents are growing weary of hauling trash carts to the curb only to return them, overflowing.

Residents from La Habra Heights, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Rossmoor, Anaheim, Fullerton and Yorba Linda are affected by the trash pickup stoppage.

Republic Services released a statement, saying they are encouraged that negotiations have resumed.

"We feel we are making progress toward a competitive contract that is fair for all," they said. "It is cities like Anaheim who have played a key role in restoring trash collection services through the region, and have encouraged a resolution to the work stoppage."

The TeamstersLocal 396 worked Thursday with Republic Services toward finalizing a tentative agreement, Patch has learned.

Adan Alvarez, the spokesman for the 396 tells us he is hopeful for a ratified agreement between Republic Services and the Union within the next 24 hours.

"We are hopeful that an agreement can be reached," Alvarez tells Patch. "The details of that agreement still need to be finalized, and then voted upon by union members."

Once that happens, workers from Anaheim and Huntington Beach Republic Services facilities can resume their important work of keeping our cities clean.

On Thursday, Republic Services said they plan to pick up trash at all commercial bins scheduled for Friday without a delay.

The city of Fullerton has announced a dump area for residents who cannot wait for trash pickups.

Fountain Valley has also initiated a "roll-off bin" at Mile Square Park, north of Field 2. As of Thursday, that collection site is half full.

"If residents want to dump there, they can," a spokesperson said.

Residents Share Plight Amid Sanitation Worker Strike

Barry Wilson of Yorba Linda hasn't had trash pickup for two weeks. The lack of transparency, as to when or how to haul out the trash to the curb, has left residents like Wilson in a quandary, as he asked us: "Will we be advised as to when we may expect service again?"

Joan Land, a 73-year-old resident of Seal Beach, tells Patch that she is having difficulty hauling her trash to and from the curb, as Republic Services has suggested.

"There's no way I can drag four heavy full bins back inside and then out again next Monday," she said. "I can barely drag those things when they're empty."

Land is hopeful for a discount on her future trash bills due to the inconvenience.

Lisa DiLorenzo writes to Patch that she is concerned about delays near her Anaheim home.

Fellow resident Eline Hemphill agrees, adding that the lack of "trash pickup is affecting our health and our life."

The weather has played a major factor with households that have begun to add trash bags alongside bins.

Gusting winds and rain knocked over cans, and as predicted, was a mess with stuffed and partially open trash bins, as was the concern of Dawn Polder.

"Republic has to negotiate and get things moving with their employees," Polder tells Patch. "This is not OK. My neighborhood stinks."

"If the trash doesn't get picked up, there will be a rodent issue shortly," she writes. "Please give these workers fair wages.