Mountain View, CA – January 3, 2025: Workers from Recology Mountain View and Recology South Bay have overwhelmingly approved a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) after contentious negotiations, with only one vote in opposition during the ratification meeting held on January 2, 2025. Representing nearly 100 members across the two units, the contract delivers historic gains in wages, pensions, and working conditions.
The ratification follows a unanimously approved strike vote on December 12, 2024, as workers stood firm in their demand for a fair agreement. The strike vote sent a powerful message not only to Recology management but also across to other Teamsters Local 350-represented Recology yards, where workers expressed their readiness to stand in solidarity if the situation escalated. Ultimately, the Local Union, led by Business Representative Sergio Arranaga and a dedicated three-person bargaining committee comprising Shop Stewards Sean Baxter, Joseph Stuart, and member Sean Hicks, achieved a tentative agreement that secured the key demands of the membership.
The new agreement includes historic increases in wages and pensions, recognition of Juneteenth as an additional holiday, and the establishment of new practices that benefit the membership while ensuring industry standards are upheld.
Sean Hicks praised the negotiation efforts, stating, “The Union went above and beyond in our contract negotiations. John and Sergio kept the lines of communication open with us during negotiations, were patient in listening and responding to our concerns, and got us a great new contract we can be proud of.”
Sean Baxter reflected on the process, saying, “The Negotiation Committee and our Union Reps worked long and hard to get what the Bargaining Unit wanted. In my 31-plus years, this is definitely the best contract of my career. Thanks to everyone involved.”
Joseph Stuart added, “It was a great experience to be a part of this contract negotiation and to accomplish all that we did as a collective. It was a back-and-forth drawn-out process that came down to the wire. But with strong support from all members and a possible strike, we were able to get what was asked for, setting us all up for the present and future.”
Business Representative Sergio Arranaga highlighted the significance of the membership’s unity, stating, “Our members made their voices heard loud and clear. It was crucial that they would not allow the company to keep them from progressing. Our members insisted that an industry standard be upheld and that their working conditions not be diminished in the process. The membership, through its elected committee members, sent a strong message via a strike vote, demonstrating their willingness to fight for what is right. Ultimately, we were able to deliver a proposal that the membership approved because it met their key demands.”
Recology Mountain View provides organics, recycling, and trash collection services to residential and commercial customers in Mountain View, while Recology South Bay serves Cupertino and incorporated East Santa Clara County, along with residential recycling services for Santa Clara.
Chartered on October 8, 1936, Teamsters Local 350 represents members throughout San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and San Benito Counties who work in the public sector, the solid waste and recycling industry, the laundry industry, and other various trades.
Recology Mountain View and South Bay Workers Overwhelmingly Ratify New Contract Following Contentious Negotiations 1/9/24
Mountain View, CA – January 3, 2025: Workers from Recology Mountain View and Recology South Bay have overwhelmingly approved a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) after contentious negotiations, with only one vote in opposition during the ratification meeting held on January 2, 2025. Representing nearly 100 members across the two units, the contract delivers historic gains in wages, pensions, and working conditions.
The ratification follows a unanimously approved strike vote on December 12, 2024, as workers stood firm in their demand for a fair agreement. The strike vote sent a powerful message not only to Recology management but also across to other Teamsters Local 350-represented Recology yards, where workers expressed their readiness to stand in solidarity if the situation escalated. Ultimately, the Local Union, led by Business Representative Sergio Arranaga and a dedicated three-person bargaining committee comprising Shop Stewards Sean Baxter, Joseph Stuart, and member Sean Hicks, achieved a tentative agreement that secured the key demands of the membership.
The new agreement includes historic increases in wages and pensions, recognition of Juneteenth as an additional holiday, and the establishment of new practices that benefit the membership while ensuring industry standards are upheld.
Sean Hicks praised the negotiation efforts, stating, “The Union went above and beyond in our contract negotiations. John and Sergio kept the lines of communication open with us during negotiations, were patient in listening and responding to our concerns, and got us a great new contract we can be proud of.”
Sean Baxter reflected on the process, saying, “The Negotiation Committee and our Union Reps worked long and hard to get what the Bargaining Unit wanted. In my 31-plus years, this is definitely the best contract of my career. Thanks to everyone involved.”
Joseph Stuart added, “It was a great experience to be a part of this contract negotiation and to accomplish all that we did as a collective. It was a back-and-forth drawn-out process that came down to the wire. But with strong support from all members and a possible strike, we were able to get what was asked for, setting us all up for the present and future.”
Business Representative Sergio Arranaga highlighted the significance of the membership’s unity, stating, “Our members made their voices heard loud and clear. It was crucial that they would not allow the company to keep them from progressing. Our members insisted that an industry standard be upheld and that their working conditions not be diminished in the process. The membership, through its elected committee members, sent a strong message via a strike vote, demonstrating their willingness to fight for what is right. Ultimately, we were able to deliver a proposal that the membership approved because it met their key demands.”
Recology Mountain View provides organics, recycling, and trash collection services to residential and commercial customers in Mountain View, while Recology South Bay serves Cupertino and incorporated East Santa Clara County, along with residential recycling services for Santa Clara.
Chartered on October 8, 1936, Teamsters Local 350 represents members throughout San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and San Benito Counties who work in the public sector, the solid waste and recycling industry, the laundry industry, and other various trades.
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