The Orange County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to convene a special, closed-door meeting on Thursday to evaluate new proposals for a labor contract. These proposals concern the local union representing waste and public works employees in Orange County, Teamsters Joint Council 42.
The meeting comes as a strike by Teamsters members, which commenced last week, has been put on hiatus from picketing. This temporary suspension was facilitated by a "side deal to reopen the landfills," according to Board Chairman Doug Chaffee. Christian Castro, a spokesperson for Teamsters Joint Council 42, characterized the union's agreement to suspend the strike as an "olive branch of good faith."
With the cessation of picketing, waste haulers are now able to utilize the county's landfills without encountering picket lines. Chairman Chaffee noted that this development alleviates pressure on temporary sites that waste-hauling companies had been using to store garbage before transporting it to the county's three landfills. He stated, "Now that we have the landfills open the trash companies storing trash are now able to access that," adding that this arrangement is expected to hold "all week."
The proposals under review by the supervisors were conveyed through a mediator, who met separately with representatives from both the county and the union. Chairman Chaffee emphasized the county's hope for the upcoming discussions, stating, "We’re hoping we now can have reasonable conversations instead of strikes going forward."
Prior to the strike hiatus, county and union officials engaged in a dispute over the Teamsters’ picketing strategies. The county lodged a complaint with the Public Employment Relations Board, alleging that picketers were violating the law by forming "human chains" and obstructing traffic. The county also claimed that picketers falsely informed customers that the landfills were closed.
Teamsters officials countered these allegations, asserting they were untrue. In turn, union officials accused county officials of violating labor law themselves. Chairman Chaffee addressed the union's denials regarding the county's evidence, stating, "We have pictures and statements from (waste hauling) drivers, but I guess that’s all in our imagination."
The outcome of Thursday's special board meeting will determine the next steps in the labor negotiations. Chairman Chaffee acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the situation, questioning, "I don’t know what happens if we say no to all their stuff on Friday."
