Republic Services work stoppage continues in Kent

Published 5:01 pm Monday, July 14, 2025

There’s no sign yet of the Republic Services residential and commercial waste collection work stoppage coming to an end in Kent and other King and Snohomish county cities served by the company.

Monday, July 14 marked the fourth day of the stoppage that began July 9 as local Teamsters’ drivers honor strikes by Republic Services members in Thurston County and other parts of the nation. Republic Services has restored services for many commercial companies, according to spokesperson.

“Republic Services doesn’t run without its hardworking Teamsters,” according to a social media post July 14 by Washington, D.C.-based Teamsters. “This strike forced on workers by the multibillion-dollar corporation is resulting in trash pileups and collection disruptions for scores of people across the country.

“But Teamsters at Republic will not back down until they’ve gotten the fair contracts they’ve rightfully earned.”

Collections services remained disrupted for operations in King and Snohomish counties, according to a July 14 email from a Republic Services spokesperson.

“With the help of other Republic Services employees, we are servicing many commercial customers, including critical locations such as hospitals, care facilities and police and fire stations,” according to a Republic Services spokesperson.

As with service delays caused by inclement weather, Republic Services will collect double garbage, recycling and organic materials on customers’ next regularly scheduled service day at no additional charge.

The company is working on options if the stoppage goes into a second week.

“In the meantime, we also are working with our cities directly to schedule locations for residents to drop off their materials,” according to a Republic Services spokesperson. “We apologize to customers who have been impacted by the Teamsters’ decision to stop work and appreciate your patience.”

Drivers in Kent are supporting striking workers in Thurston County and in other states. A couple of dozen cities in King and and Snohomish counties contract with Republic Services. According to a Teamsters Local 252 press release out of Lacey, that local went on strike July 9 at a transfer facility to protest unfair labor practices at Republic Services.

The strike in Thurston County comes shortly after Republic Teamsters around Boston; Ottawa, Illinois; Cumming, Georgia; and Stockton, California went on strike, according to the press release, which added that other Teamsters across the country are having similar contract disputes with Republic, and they could launch strikes of their own at any moment.

Kent drivers honored a strike by Republic Services drivers in Southern California during a three-day work stoppage in January 2022. The city of Kent has a contract with Arizona-based Republic Services through 2029.

A spokesperson for Teamsters 117 in Tukwila, which represents Republic Services workers in Kent and other cities, said the picket lines are in support of Locals 252 in Lacey and 25 in Boston that went on strike.

“There is no telling how long this will last,” according to a July 9 email from a Teamsters 117 spokesperson.

Residential customers in Kent can reach Republic Services at 206-682-9735 and view its Kent webpage at bit.ly/4kqOw4L