Orange County strike limits landfill access, reduces shelter staffing

A strike by more than 400 Orange County Teamsters has restricted public access to a south county landfill and reduced staffing at the animal shelter in Tustin, Voice of OC reported. County officials said waste haulers could still use all three county landfills and all shelter services remained available.

The disruption exposes a distinction between access for residents dropping off waste themselves and access for waste haulers. At the shelter, officials said services were continuing but did not explain who was covering animal-care duties left by striking workers.

Workers left their jobsites Tuesday after contract negotiations stalled for months, according to Voice of OC. Eric Jimenez, secretary treasurer of Teamsters Local 952, accused county officials of failing to bargain in good faith and said Tuesday that they had made no progress toward settling the dispute.

At the Prima Deshecha landfill near San Juan Capistrano, a Voice of OC reporter saw a sign barring public access and an OC Waste and Recycling employee turn away residents seeking to unload waste. A CR&R truck crossed the picket line and entered the site. About six striking workers were near the entrance Wednesday afternoon.

Strikers said California Highway Patrol officers stopped them from forming a human chain to block trucks. The agency had not responded to a request to confirm that account, Voice of OC reported. County waste officials confirmed that law enforcement was monitoring traffic and safety at all three landfill sites.

Irene Alonso, a spokesperson for OC Waste & Recycling, said Tuesday that the county's landfills — Olinda Alpha in Brea, Frank R. Bowerman in Irvine and Prima Deshecha in San Juan Capistrano — continued accepting waste from commercial and residential haulers, with wait times varying by traffic. Chief spokesperson Francine Bangert reiterated that hauler access continued after the reporter sought clarification about residents being turned away.

At the Tustin shelter, striking kennel attendants left fewer workers available for animal care, according to Voice of OC. Attendants' duties include cleaning kennels, providing food and water, watching for health problems, helping prospective adopters and training employees and volunteers. Denise Woodside, a spokesperson for OC Animal Care, said all services remained available but did not answer specific questions about staffing or who was handling those duties.

County leaders said they respected employees' right to strike and were prioritizing public services. Their assurances left unanswered how shelter staffing gaps were being covered and whether residents could resume dropping off waste at Prima Deshecha.