City Council Urges Allied Waste To End Lockout

EVANSVILLE - Evansville city council voted Monday on a controversial plan aimed at putting an end to the lock-out of Allied Waste employees. All but one city council member voted to pass a non-binding resolution calling for an end to the lockout.

Supporters say the workers should be on the job while negotiations are taking place.

But opponents say city council has no business in the affairs of private industry.

Another round of negotiations Monday between Allied Waste and members of the teamsters union; both sides are at odds over allied proposal to dump the employee's pension plan with a 401K.

But questions were raised at the city council meeting over the council's role in matters of private business.

Wayne Park thinks the council shouldn't be involved. He testified Monday, "It is a mistake for the city council to get involved in this manner. The city council should remain neutral, do not support either party."

But at-large councilman Dr. Dan Adams said, "I disagree with you. I think this is a special issue when you're collecting trash." He continued, "We're getting pretty close to where things aren't going to be picked up. I've been in a city where piles of trash was around."

Ward one councilman Dan McGinn was the lone no vote on the resolution that brought heated debate between both sides. He explained, "I chose not to get involved in a private matter even though my heart is hoping it will be settled for lots of reasons."

A representative for Allied Waste read a statement on behalf of general manager Mark Mckune. While the representative refused to answer questions or make other statements, he did say both sides met with a federal mediator Monday in an effort to bring the lockout to an end.

But councilman Adams wasn't happy that the rep refused to answer council questions and that no one from allied that could answer questions was present.