Second garbage company may have deal in Seattle

Wed., May 3, 2006

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

SEATTLE – A second garbage company has reached tentative agreement with Seattle-area garbage haulers, company and union spokesmen said Tuesday night, possibly averting the threat of a strike.

Allied Waste Industries Inc. of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Teamsters Local 174 reached agreement about 9:30 p.m., said John Wilson, an Allied Waste spokesman.

A tentative pact was reached late Sunday between Houston-based Waste Management Inc. and Local 174.

The two proposals, both for four years, are still subject to votes by Teamsters members, said Dan Scott, Local 174 secretary-treasurer.

While no dates for the votes have been set, Scott said “right now my inclination is to look at this weekend.”

He declined to say whether the union would recommend acceptance, saying he would discuss that directly with union members.

“We’re not quite out of the woods yet,” Scott said, noting union members rejected four-year offers from both companies last weekend and began strike preparations.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.