5-Year Pact for Trash Crews Near

The Teamsters have reached a tentative five-year contract with Orange County trash contractors, one that both sides expect will win approval when 1,100 sanitation workers vote on it this week.

“It’s the first time in 25 years we’ve had a solid contract for these men,” said Danny Bruno, Teamsters Local 396 representative. “We will strongly urge they accept it.”

The contract, worked out with a federal mediator, calls for a 33% increase in salary and better health benefits over the next five years, with a $1-an-hour raise and one-third of the benefits increase the first year. The contract also would simplify the grievance procedure.

On Monday, workers had threatened to strike if contract differences with six disposal companies were not resolved before the existing five-year contract expires Sunday. Some said they would not support any new agreement that did not include a significant salary increase in the first year.

But Bruno said he is convinced that workers will be persuaded. In previous years, Bruno said, workers’ raises were often as little as 25 cents an hour.

Bob Coyle of Waste Management Inc., which hauls trash in eight Orange County cities, called the proposal “ a strong economic package.”

A simple majority is needed to approve the contract, which would cover drivers, mechanics and maintenance workers.