San Juan Capistrano : Some Trash Collections Slowed by Solag Strike
A strike by about 50 Solag Disposal Co. truck drivers and helpers has slowed trash collection in some areas, but the company is making about 90% of its pickups on time, Jim Koutroulis, one of the company’s owners, said Monday.
The drivers, who earn between $8 and $9 an hour, went on strike last Thursday morning, demanding better pay and unionization, Koutroulis said.
Koutroulis said he wanted to resolve the dispute with the help of the National Labor Relations Board and has told the strikers that the company would not negotiate “with a gun to our heads.”
Hundreds of customers have called in to complain that their trash was not picked up, Nancy Eastridge, the company’s bookkeeper, said. But the company is now 90% caught up, Koutroulis said, and all routes are being covered.
Solag serves San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, South Laguna, Leisure World and San Clemente. The company has hired new drivers and is covering all its routes, Koutroulis said.
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