Labor War Rages on as Final Meeting Slated for Monday
By: Ryan Braschler
Updated: June 4, 2012
The end of a month-long fight between the company and its union employees could be in sight. A meeting between the two sides is scheduled for Monday. Union officials are keeping their thoughts close to the chest, but Allied Waste officials say they just want to get this done.
This lock on the fence at the Allied Waste facility in Evansville is a potent reminder of ongoing contract disputes between the company and its union employees.
But Allied general manager Mark McKune hopes the struggle will soon come to an end. But McKune says union employees haven't even gotten a chance to vote on the terms including in the new contract proposal.
The most contentious issue for the teamsters is the proposed switch from a union pension to a 401K, which teamsters have said leaves them shortchanged.
McKune says trash service is one thing people almost can't live without. But as security watches the gates, McKune and Allied Waste can do nothing but wait.
McKune does tell me negotiations between the two sides have been amicable, with each relenting on some terms, but they have yet to come to an agreement.
