Boston, MA
Massachusetts trash strike: Greater Boston leaders say Republic Services is failing
Leaders of the Greater Boston communities where trash is piling up say they are feeling the financial burden of the ongoing sanitation worker strike, threatening to press fines against Republic Services.
Striking members of Teamsters Local 25 and the waste management giant are not negotiating this weekend, pushing off next conversations until Tuesday after the sides failed to settle on an agreement on Friday.
As municipal leaders say their concerns grow by the day amid the dispute, they are demanding that Republic Services “provide accurate and updated timelines and service expectations” and “expand driver resources and logistical support to guarantee the daily completion of all trash and recycling routes.”
Their demands and concerns are outlined in a letter that they sent to the company on Friday, while striking workers and Republic Services accused each other of not taking their proposals seriously.
Officials from Gloucester, Danvers, Beverly, Canton, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Malden, Manchester-by-the-Sea, North Reading, Peabody, Swampscott, Wakefield, Watertown all signed onto the letter.
“Our communities are already bearing the cost of this disruption, both in personnel and material resources, as we work to mitigate the impacts of the service interruption and delay in full service resumption,” the letter states. “It is entirely reasonable – and necessary – for municipalities to take steps to secure alternative services that protect public health and maintain basic standards of cleanliness and safety.”
“We fully intend to seek appropriate compensation for the consequential damages and expenses incurred as a direct result of Republic Services’ failure to meet its obligations,” the officials added.
They highlighted that they are tracking the costs, including labor and emergency response efforts, to “determine the full extent of the financial burden.”
In an update on Saturday, Local 25 President Tom Mari stated that the union met with Republic Services at the request of a federal mediator on Friday, with the unsuccessful negotiation session ending after 9.5 hours.
Mari added that the union wanted to continue bargaining over the weekend.
“I feel bad for the citizens in the cities and towns serviced by Republic,” he stated. “We have no idea why Republic refused to meet for another three days, but we will show up Tuesday morning ready to agree to a contract that brings Republic’s employees up to the standards we’ve established for the employees of Capitol and Boston Carting.”
Republic Services says its proposed nearly 16% immediate wage increase and roughly 43% pay increase over five years, offered on Friday, “outpaces competitors.” According to the company, payroll data shows that almost half of the Boston regional union members already earn six-figure salaries annually.
The company also claims the union is attempting to force workers out of the “zero-premium healthcare plan” offered by Republic and into the “Teamsters’ health and welfare plan, which offers no significant benefit at a substantially higher cost.”
The sides have met for 11 days, twice with a federal mediator, who requested mediation to continue on Tuesday, according to Republic Services.
“When a wage proposal this significant is combined with zero-premium healthcare and generous retirement contributions,” the company stated in an update Friday night, “there is no question who is responsible for this ongoing strike: Teamsters Local 25 and its president Tom Mari.
“It is time for the Teamsters to get serious about negotiations so our employees can return to work,” the company added.
Greater Boston is not the only region in the country dealing with heaping trash piles.
Mari has said roughly 4,000 Teamsters are refusing to report to work nationally until Republic Services “bargains fair and equitable contracts.”
Dozens of state lawmakers are also pressuring Republic Services to settle on a contract with Teamsters Local 25, which represents more than 400 members employed by the company.
“As legislators, we are disappointed to learn that despite multiple meetings, Republic Services has failed to meet basic community standards,” they stated in a letter to the company on Friday.
Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill said in a memo to residents in his North Shore city that officials there had to direct Republic Services to a “number of streets they had repeatedly missed,” noting “we have seen good results, particularly in the downtown.”
The company is also running a day behind schedule, the mayor added.
“I, together with Mayors and Town Administrators from the other 13 communities impacted by this labor dispute between Republic and their drivers and collectors unions, are working together and pushing for Republic to get more drivers into our communities,” Cahill said, “because Republic is not fulfilling their contracts with any of our fourteen cities and towns or with their many commercial customers in our communities.”
Leaders from the affected communities told Republic Services in their letter that they are dealing with more than just the mounting financial burden, as they “deploy emergency responses, address overflow issues, and fill service gaps.”
“At the same time,” they added, “environmental conditions are deteriorating, with uncollected trash affecting neighborhoods, parks, and waterways. Public health concerns are escalating, particularly as restaurants struggle without a viable waste solution during the peak of their busy season.”
Originally Published:
Boston, MA
Boston Police Blotter: Larceny, assault, drug possession
The Boston Police Department has asked the public for help identifying an individual involved in a larceny incident at the 776 Boylston St. Lululemon on Sunday at about 4:30 p.m.
The suspect stole approximately $634 in merchandise and was seen at the Lululemon on Newbury Street later about 10 minutes later, police said.
The department encourages anyone with information relating to the incident to contact District D-4 at (617) 343-5619. Anonymous tips may be provided through the CrimeStoppers Tip Line.
Incident summary
The Boston Police Department reports that its officers responded to 230 incidents in its summary ending at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Those include five aggravated assaults, four stolen cars and 25 instances of miscellaneous larceny.
Arrests
– Depriest Sims, 45 Chestnut Rd., Avon. Uninsured motor vehicle.
– Hector Colon, 110 George, Roxbury. Warrant.
– Jael Letang, no address listed. Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.
– Ivan Alfaro-Umana, 23 Oceanview St., Winthrop Town. Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
– Mercy Kiiza, 126 Border St., East Boston. Assault and battery on police officer.
– Lee Matthews, 40 Woolson, Dorchester. Assault and battery on a 60+ or disabled individual.
– Adrian Larkins, 33 Wellington Hill St., Mattapan. Cash on delivery carrier, larceny under $1,200.
– Denise White, 100 Pleasant St., Boston. Cash on delivery carrier, larceny under $1,200.
– Gilberto Roman, 112 Southampton St., Boston. Possession to distribute Class A drug.
– Steven Waites, 112 Southampton St., Roxbury. Warrant, fail/delay service.
– Monique Heard, 120 Attickson, Boston. Assault and battery.
Boston, MA
Shutdown leading to delays and cancellations across air travel industry
The government shutdown is continuing to cause trouble in the skies, with delays and cancelations piling up nationwide.
“It’s kind of chaotic over there at LaGuardia, for sure,” said Henry Vo, whose flight into Boston was delayed in New York. “A lot of the government shutdown, a lot of the pilots were saying, and then also, a lot of it’s just things that were happening that were just unfortunate, to say the least.”
In many cases, a shortage of air traffic controllers is to blame. They’ve been working without paychecks during the shutdown, which is putting stress on an already strained system.
Massport says the air traffic control tower at Logan Airport is fully staffed, but the shutdown has impacted staffing at other airports, leading to delays and cancellations.
“They need support, they need money, they need a paycheck,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
Duffy acknowledged the impact on travel, saying it may get worse before it gets better.
“We will slow traffic down, you’ll see delays, we’ll have flights canceled, to make sure the system is safe,” Duffy said.
As the government shutdown continues, the federal government says it will partially fund food assistance after last week’s court rulings.
Aviation experts say the Federal Aviation Administration has strict rules around staffing levels for air traffic controllers to make sure it’s safe to fly.
“Ultimately, what we would hope to see is not safety issues, but just more significant cuts to operations,” said Seth Miller, an aviation journalist and editor at Paxex.Aero. “The FAA says, ‘You know what, we’re going to half capacity because we don’t have enough controllers to support the whole system.’”
When staffing levels drop, the FAA can slow flights or limit arrivals, which can be unpredictable.
“Generally speaking, it’s not an airline issue,” Miller added. “The counterpoint to that is if you have an airline that has a hub at an airport that is affected more often — Delta and JetBlue, for example, here in Boston — if Boston gets more affected, then Delta and JetBlue are going to become more affected.”
The Department of Transportation released recent delay data showing the impact of the ATC shortage. On Friday, 64.8% of total delay minutes were attributed to staffing. On Saturday, it was 59%, and on Sunday, it was 84%.
From January to September before the shutdown, that number was only at 5%.
Despite issues around the country, Logan Airport has been faring well. In an email, Massport said, “We have not seen any operational impacts due to the shutdown. We would advise passengers to check with their airline for the best info on their flight.”
Boston, MA
Free November events in Boston: Fleurs de Villes, Memory Café – The Boston Globe
November has arrived and daylight saving time has come to an end, meaning there are only a few weeks of downtime before the holiday spirit kicks in. Before your calendar fills up (and your wallet empties out), here are low-key, no-cost ways to have fun in Greater Boston — from “Downton”-inspired blooms to classic comedy screening night … with live organ accompaniment. Whether you want to create heartwarming harmonies or make your way through the Goblin Market, here are five fun and free events and activities across Greater Boston, Nov. 3-9.
‘DOWNTON ABBEY’ DOWNTOWN If “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” left you wanting more from your favorite family of aristocrats, check out Fleurs de Villes’ pop-up floral show featuring decorated mannequins and displays based on the fashion of “Downton Abbey.” The show, which has been exhibited in London, New York, and other cities, arrives in the Hub featuring 21 local floral designers’ meticulous and artful arrangements inspired by the show’s early-20th-century elegance and glamour. Nov. 5-9. Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St. prudentialcenter.com
TOGETHER IN TUNE The New School of Music, in partnership with local home care agency Seniors Helping Seniors, will present a Memory Café event for individuals experiencing memory and cognitive changes (and those who love and care for them). The musical sing-along features a selection of well-known tunes led by an NSM faculty member, pianist Joe Reid, followed by socializing and complimentary treats. Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. RSVP required. New School of Music, Concert Room. 25 Lowell St., Cambridge. newschoolofmusic.org/events/memory-cafe-sing-along
FALL FAIRE Miss the King Richard’s Faire season? Don’t fret, as the Bow Market’s Urban Ren Faire brings a full day of medieval activities to the city, including two armored combat demos (knight fights) at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., a circus performance from local aerialist Qatherine in Flight at 3:30 p.m., and a Celtic music performance at 5:30 p.m. Fun competitions, including a stein-holding contest, will be held throughout the day, with a chance to win mystery prizes. At 7:30 p.m., the event transforms from a Goblin Market into a Fantasy Ball, where all witches, wizards, and warlocks can dance to modern tunes in ancient garb. Nov. 8, noon-11 p.m. Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville. bowmarketsomerville.com
ORGAN TUNES Catch a free screening of two classic comedies: “The Red Balloon,” a post-WWII fable about a boy chasing a bright-colored balloon in a world of dull tones, and “The Kid,” a silent comedy by Charlie Chaplin about found family. Local organist Peter Krasinski, who has performed live movie accompaniments throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, will improvise a score for both films live. The screening starts at 5 p.m. — beforehand, at 4 p.m., the church will hold a silent auction to raise funds for organ maintenance. Nov. 8, 4-6:30 p.m. The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont St. stpaulboston.org
HISTORIC HARMONIES The Key of Cambridge exhibit, on display at the Kendall Public Lobby through Dec. 2, showcases 100 years of the city’s expansive musical history. The showcase features the likes of Joan Baez, a Club 47 performer, and Tracy Chapman, who busked in Harvard Square as a student. On Nov. 9, the Cambridge curious can explore the exhibit with an opening reception featuring live music and beverages. Through Dec. 2. Kendall Public Lobby, 355-325 Main St., Cambridge. kendallcenter.com
SANDWICH SECONDS Monday is National Sandwich Day, and Bootleg Special, a Cajun-inspired fusion restaurant in the South End, celebrates the occasion with its buy-one-get-one-free Po’ boy deal, valid from Monday through Friday. Take a double serving of the Louisiana favorite filled with fried catfish, oyster, or shrimp. Nov. 3-7. Bootleg Special, 400 Tremont St. bootlegspecial.com
Check individual event websites for the most up-to-date information. Send info on free events and special offers at least 10 days in advance to ryan.yau@globe.com.
Ryan Yau can be reached at ryan.yau@globe.com.
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