Business & Tech
Unity Disposal Workers Strike, Leave Trash Uncollected in Bethesda, Chevy Chase
About 80 percent of the trash collection company's workers were on strike on Tuesday, according to a labor union spokesperson.
Parts of Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Wheaton and Columbia were not slated to have their trash collected on Tuesday due to a strike by Unity Disposal and Recycling workers, according to Nicole Duarte, communications director for the Laborers' International Union of North America, Mid-Atlantic Regional Organizing Coalition.
About 70 workers—80 percent of Unity Disposal's trash-hauling workforce—went on strike Tuesday in response to the firing of one worker who spoke up during a "union-busting meeting" last Friday evening, Duarte said.
"The workers were in the midst of organizing a union in their workplace, when on Friday the company held a captive-audience meeting to bust their organizing efforts," Duarte wrote in an email.
"One of the worker leaders who spoke out against the intimidation was fired Monday, prompting the strike. The workers are demanding the reinstatement of the worker who was terminated and recognition of their union," Duarte added.
Unity Disposal and Recycling is not affiliated with Potomac Disposal, many of whose workers participated in an unrelated strike last month, Patch reported.
Patch left a message early Tuesday afternoon with Unity Disposal and Recycling, asking for comments on the issue.
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