Garbage Pickup in Bellevue Unaffected by Allied Waste/Republic Picket

Republic Services is collecting Bellevue's garbage, recycling and yard waste on schedule on Wednesday, despite a local picket in solidarity with striking workers in Ohio.

Other cities, such as Lynnwood and Everett, are reportedly among those affected by picket lines at the Allied Waste/Republic plants.

The company said customers in Kent, SeaTac, Normandy Park, Covington, unincorporated parts of South King County, Edmonds and Monroe will see disruptions as, recycling, and yard waste drivers honor the picket lines today.

According to the report, customers who don't receive service today can put out double the waste on their next regularly scheduled collection day at no extra charge.

The Teamsters Local Unions 38, 117, 174 & 763 say that the picket is in solidarity with striking Local 377 Teamsters from Youngstown, Ohio. Picket lines were set up at the company's facilities in Seattle, Lynnwood, and Kent/SeaTac.

The Youngstown Teamsters cite unfair labor practices in their strike, which has been since March 27. Picket lines were extended to Republic locations in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and California before reaching Western Washington early this morning.

The union also singled out Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, in a press release, who the union says owns approximately $2.4 billion worth of stock, or 25 percent of the total worth of the company.

"Bill Gates says he promotes global health, but he refuses to step in and stop Republic from violating workers' rights and causing a public health crisis in cities across the country," said Tracey A. Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117 in a press release. The union has requested a meeting with Gates, which has not been answered, according to its press release.

In a statement, Republic Services says that it has positive relationships with the local unions in the Puget Sound area:

"Republic Services is proud of the fact that we have never had an extended work stoppage or labor issue that impacted service in the Puget Sound area. We maintain positive relationships with our local unions and value our hard-working employees," according to a company press release.

Customers who want to check their garbage pickup status can go to the company's website, ww.RepublicServicesNW.com