Contracts Expire for Nearly 4,000 Sanitation Workers in Southern California

Contracts for nearly 4,000 sanitation workers represented by Teamsters Local 396 across five Southern California counties expired on September 30, 2026. The failure to reach tentative agreements before the deadline involved major employers including Republic Services, Waste Management, and Athens Services.

Teamsters Local 396 stated it remains committed to bargaining in good faith but attributes the current situation to employers. The union contends that companies had ample time to negotiate contracts that would recognize the value and sacrifices of sanitation workers.

"The companies knew exactly when these contracts expired, and they had every opportunity to reach agreements before the deadline," said Victor Mineros, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 396. "Our members came to the table prepared to negotiate and reach fair agreements. Instead, the deadline has passed without tentative agreements. We will continue bargaining in good faith, but our members are united, prepared, and willing to do whatever it takes to win the contracts they deserve."

The expiration of these contracts increases the possibility of labor disruptions throughout the Southern California sanitation industry. Workers have been mobilizing for months, demonstrating unity and demanding improved conditions in an industry that often involves operating heavy and hazardous equipment to maintain community cleanliness and safety.