Orange County leaders have filed a formal complaint alleging that striking Teamsters union members are illegally blocking access to county landfills, significantly disrupting waste disposal operations. This complaint escalates a growing labor dispute as county officials face separate allegations from state regulators concerning their negotiation practices with the union.
According to a 106-page claim submitted by county leaders to state labor regulators, Teamsters union members engaged in "repeatedly, from October 13 through October 17, 2026, physically blocking ingress to and egress from County landfills on County property and public roads." The county claims these actions impeded both county employees and members of the public attempting to enter or leave the facilities. The complaint also alleges that "at least two of its members (both County employees) have now been hit and injured by passing motorists" as a direct result of these purported unfair practices.
The county's complaint highlights significant operational impacts, stating that union members allegedly blocking roads deterred trash haulers and even county executive staff from accessing landfills. This interference, according to county leaders, led to a roughly 75% reduction in trash drop-offs. Specific data cited in the claim indicates that the Bowerman Landfill in Irvine, which typically processes around 8,000 tons of trash daily, received less than 2,100 tons on four consecutive days due to the strike, with only 2 to 5 trash trucks per hour arriving in some instances.
David Tieu, deputy director of OC Waste and Recycling and manager of the Bowerman Landfill, expressed concerns about the strike's continued impact in his statement. Tieu noted that non-Teamsters staff have been compelled to work extensive overtime to maintain landfill operations, raising fears of potential fatigue-related injuries and regulatory issues due to insufficient staffing. He also stated that "many of the haulers are taking the trash out of the county to other facilities" because of the ongoing disruption. Tieu warned that a sustained strike could necessitate the complete shutdown of the landfill if adequate staffing becomes unavailable.
This county complaint follows an inquiry from the California Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), which has asked Orange County to respond to allegations that its leaders "failed to meet and confer in good faith" during the negotiation process for over 400 Teamsters union workers. Joseph Eckhart, interim general counsel for the relations board, detailed these allegations in an October 6 letter addressed to the county government. The letter stated that the county allegedly engaged in "failing to vest negotiators with sufficient authority to conduct meaningful negotiations; failing to provide counterproposals; engaging in dilatory and evasive tactics; failing to prepare adequately for negotiations; and threatening that wage increases for the bargaining unit would result in layoffs." PERB is currently awaiting the county's official response to these charges.
While Eric Jimenez, Secretary Treasurer for Local Teamsters 952, did not respond to requests for comment regarding the county's specific claims, he has previously attributed the strike to the county's actions. At a press conference last Tuesday, Jimenez stated, "They forced our hand into a strike."
Negotiations between the county and the Teamsters have been protracted. The last publicly known offer was a one-year contract proposing a three percent wage increase with no back-pay, extended to all county employee unions after months of stalled discussions where county supervisors initially resisted any raises. Although Teamsters were offered a new deal last week, its specific terms have not been made publicly available.
In their complaint, county leaders are requesting state intervention, seeking permission to sue the union in court. They are also asking for a temporary restraining order to prevent union members from picketing in the streets outside county landfills. Additionally, the county seeks a requirement for the union to provide more advance notice regarding the timing and location of future strike actions. The allegations against the county by the Teamsters, which prompted PERB's inquiry, are slated to be addressed at an upcoming hearing.
