Forty Republic Services Workers in Salinas Vote to Join Teamsters Local 350

Forty workers at Republic Services in Salinas, California, voted to join Teamsters Local 350, the union said on October 22, 2026. The group covers drivers, mechanics and heavy equipment operators serving commercial and residential waste collection customers in the Salinas area, according to PR Newswire.

The Salinas Vote and What the Union Said

Joe Muñoz, a 20-year Republic worker, tied the result to organizing conversations already underway in the region. "For years we heard Republic Services workers around the region talk about what it means to be a Teamster — that it's about being part of something bigger than themselves and having the power to fight for a better life," he said. "Our victory showed just how powerful that message is. Now with the strength of the Teamsters on our side, we will secure a strong contract that gives us fairness on the job."

Robert Sandoval, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 350, credited the workers who voted. "This win belongs to the Republic Services workers whose dedication and unity brought their fight across the finish line," he said. "This is just the beginning of their battle. Local 350 will do everything in our power to ensure they secure a strong contract that guarantees them the respect they deserve from this multibillion-dollar corporation."

Republic Services is the second-largest waste hauler in America, and its workers generated $16.6 billion in revenue last year, the union said. Teamsters Local 350 represents members in the public sector and in solid waste, recycling and linen industries across San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey Counties.

Republic Services' California Expansion Record

According to akta.pro company records, Republic Services broke ground in June 2026 on the 140-acre San Bernardino Sustainability Park, an organics processing facility using aerated static pile composting technology scalable to 600,000 tons per year. The same records list a June 2026 partnership with Neogenyx Fuels to produce and deliver ISCC-certified renewable natural gas from Republic landfills into European compliance markets, with capacity exceeding 4.2 million MMBtu annually. Republic Services reported full-year 2025 revenue of $16.6 billion with 3.5% year-over-year growth.

Earlier California Moves This Month

Republic Services opened an expanded compost facility at Forward Landfill in San Joaquin County, California, increasing capacity to recycle up to 147,000 tons of food and yard waste annually, Stock Titan reported on October 12, 2026. On October 13, 2026, American City Business Journals reported the company began work on a $70 million, 105,000-square-foot recycling center in North County, creating up to 200 full-time construction jobs and employing roughly 60 full-time workers once it opens. Waste Dive reported on September 22, 2026 that Republic Services had deployed over 250 electric collection vehicles through municipal partnerships and was ahead of schedule to reach 300 by year-end.

What Comes Next for Local 350

Local 350 said it will work to secure a contract for the Salinas workers. The union's stated next step is bargaining toward that agreement.