BURLINGTON, V.T. – Sen. Bernie Sanders offered his support today to striking sanitation workers in Marshfield, MA, and called on their employer, Republic Services, to negotiate a fair contract.

What started as a small strike of 24 Republic Services drivers and members of Teamsters Local 25 has spread; as Teamsters and other supporters have honored picket lines at Republic Services locations around the country, including Seattle, WA, Fall River, MA, Anaheim, CA, Milpitas, CA, Bellevue, WA, and San Jose, CA.

Sanitation work is the 5th-most deadly job in America. Striking workers in Marshfield are currently paid 40% below what it takes to make a living wage in Massachusetts. They are calling on Republic Services to negotiate with them for fair wages and safe and sanitary working conditions.

Republic Services is the second largest waste management company in the United States, and earned a record $2.8 billion in profits in 2018. Billionaire Bill Gates, who receives more than $100 million annually in stock dividends from the company, is its largest single shareholder.

“It should not be the case that a billionaire like Bill Gates can make over $100 million each year in stock dividends from a company like Republic Services, while the workers at Republic struggle to put food on the table. I am proud to stand with the Teamsters, and with workers everywhere who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” Sen. Sanders said.

Sen. Sanders’ Campaign is encouraging supporters to come and stand in solidarity with the sanitation workers of Teamsters Local 25 on Monday, October 14 at 12pm at 965 Plan St (Route 139) in Marshfield, MA. A link to the event page can be found here: https://act.berniesanders.com/event/solidarity-event_attend/30496

The New Hampshire Labor News is a group of NH Workers who believe that we need to protect ourselves against the attacks on workers. We are proud union members who are working to preserve the middle class. The NHLN talks mostly about news and politics from NH. We also talk about national issues that effect working men and women here in the Granite State.

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