FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         December 23, 2005

Release No. ENV-35

UNION REFUSES POST-HOLIDAY REFUSE PICKUP

            Contrary to earlier reports, regularly scheduled trash pickup will not occur on Monday, December 26 and January 2, City Environmental Services Director Eric Takamura announced today, (December 23, 2005).

            The reason is a late change of position by UPW Local 646, the union that represents City refuse workers.

            “UPW officials notified us only yesterday that they are invoking the holiday clause of the collective bargaining agreement for their members who work for the City Refuse Division and would not report for work the Monday after Christmas and the New Year,” said Takamura. “Christmas and New Year’s Day are the only days of the year when City refuse pickup is not performed. This year both holidays fall on Sundays, and the union had previously given us every indication that refuse workers were going to report for work on both following Mondays.

            “We regret the inconvenience to the public. Regular refuse pickup will resume on Tuesday,” said Takamura.

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Contact:

Eric Takamura, Director of Environmental Services, 692-5159