Landfill strike delays trash pickups across Orange County

CR&R reported delays in trash and recycling pickups across Orange County as a strike by county landfill workers restricted access to disposal sites, according to Voice of OC. The company did not identify which communities were experiencing delays.

The disruption stems from landfill operations rather than a walkout by trash truck drivers. Members of Teamsters Local 952 who process incoming loads are striking amid stalled contract talks with the county, linking the labor dispute to collection service for residents and businesses.

CR&R attributed the delays to restricted landfill access and longer trips, Voice of OC reported. The company serves Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Orange, but its announcement did not establish whether those cities were among the locations affected.

Prima Deshecha Landfill stopped accepting trash at 11:30 a.m. Thursday after hitting its daily limit of 4,000 tons, according to Francine Bangert, a spokesperson for Orange County Waste and Recycling. The county reported redirecting loads to Bowerman and Olinda Alpha landfills.

County leaders initially disputed that the strike was affecting landfill operations. In a subsequent labor complaint, however, the county acknowledged that the walkout and picket lines had constrained incoming loads at at least one landfill, according to Voice of OC.

The public employee relations board rejected the county's request for an injunction because of insufficient evidence while accelerating its review of the labor complaint. County spokesperson Molly Nichelson acknowledged the denial and emphasized that the complaint could proceed.

The union filed its own complaint alleging bad-faith bargaining and called on county supervisors to join negotiations directly. Eric Jimenez, secretary-treasurer for Teamsters Local 952, said the union had proposed ways to resolve the dispute and that the county had not improved its offer, Voice of OC reported.

The dispute remained in mediation as the two sides pursued their complaints. CR&R did not respond to further requests for comment, and Republic Services did not return a call Thursday, according to Voice of OC.