Updates on this developing story are available at the town website
As of midnight, Republic Services workers have gone on strike, and Swampscott residents will not have their trash picked up for the rest of the week.
Union members at the waste collection service are picketing on the North Shore in Peabody for increased wages, better benefits and more labor protections. In a press release, the Teamsters warned that the picket lines could extend nationwide, resulting in a work stoppage for over 3,500 union workers. The strike began at midnight, coinciding with the expiration of the workers’ contract.
Swampscott was notified of the union strike Tuesday morning, according to the town’s posting on its website. The town announced that “trash and recycling will not be collected this week” and will resume on Monday, July 7. Residents are advised to have all waste in a container until collection.
“We apologize for this inconvenience,” Swampscott’s website reads. “We are expecting Republic’s reserve crews will be in town tomorrow to begin on Tuesday’s route but do not have confirmation yet.”
Residents around town have taken to Facebook to voice their concerns and gauge what they should do. Some private businesses are also offering their services.
Teamsters Boston posted on social media that 450 Republic Services workers are on strike. The strike is impacting residents, businesses and construction sites in 20 communities. Other areas that could be impacted by the strike include Peabody, Gloucester, Wakefield, Marblehead, Malden, Danvers, Reading, Lynnfield and Canton.
“If your rubbish is piling up on the Fourth of July, remember who’s responsible for it: the white-collar criminals who run Republic Services,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said in a press release. “Republic Teamsters didn’t start this fight, but we will finish it. Our members will do whatever it takes to finally get the respect they’re owed.”
The Swampscott Tides called Teamsters Local 25, which represents Republic Services workers, and left a voicemail with the president’s office.
“It is disappointing that the union called a work stoppage rather than continue negotiating in good faith toward a fair and competitive contract that benefits our employees and our customers,” Republic Services Media Relations told the Swampscott Tides. “A work stoppage does not benefit our employees or the communities we serve.”
Republic Services Media Relations told the Swampscott Tides that it provides “our Greater Boston employees with competitive wages, an industry-leading health care plan, pension plan and a generous time-off and holiday plan.”
“We value our employees and entered negotiations intending to raise wages,” the media relations said.
State Rep. Jessica Giannino (D-Suffolk) expressed her support for the union in a post on Facebook. She said the teamsters that “keep Republic Services running are essential to our communities.”
“They deserve fair wages, comprehensive health care and benefits that are on par with what similar companies provide across Massachusetts,” Giannino posted. “Republic Services is a multi-billion-dollar corporation. There is no excuse for failing to invest in the very workers who make its success possible.”
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) shared his frustrations on social media as well.
“Our communities simply cannot function without sanitation workers,” he posted. “Especially with the holiday weekend approaching, these men and women deserve to be treated like the essential workers that they are.”
Republic Services said it had anticipated the potential strike and has brought in workers from other areas to prioritize routes.
“Many customers may experience a modified service schedule as a result of the union’s work stoppage. We will communicate any schedule changes to customers. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” Republic Services Media Relations told the Swampscott Tides. “We are committed to continuing discussions with the union and remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached.”
Victor Mineros, the director of the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division and Teamster Western Region international vice president, said the dispute extends well beyond Boston. Hundreds of other Teamsters across the country are having similar contract disputes with Republic.
“From California to Massachusetts, Teamsters nationwide are dealing with the same problems with this company,” Mineros said in a press release. “If Republic doesn’t get its act together quickly, we will make an example of this employer for its mistreatment of our members. American workers deserve better.”
Story updated July 1, 2025 at 1:15 p.m. with additional information from the town.
Story updated July 1, 2025 at 2 p.m. with a quote from Rep. Seth Moulton.
