Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire at Waste Management on West Marginal Way on Wednesday morning. Shortly after the incident a strike vote for recycling and yard waste truck drivers was called. The drivers have been working without a contract since the end of May.
A small fire broke out at Waste Management at 7201 West Marginal Way s.w. on Wednesday morning that firefighters speculated might have been chemical in origin. It produced some light smoke but was quickly extinguished.
Shortly after that (and these incidents were apparently unrelated) a strike vote was called for Waste Management's recycle and yard waste drivers who have been working without a contract since the end of May.
About 150 drivers are part of the strike that extends from King to Snohomish County.
Contract negotiations have been underway between the company and Teamsters Local 117. The drivers are seeking higher pay to match garbage drivers, whom they claim earn $9 more per hour than recycling drivers.
Media reports indicate that the strike will not affect regular pickups and customers are urged to put out their bins on their regularly scheduled days.
Waste Management has posted this page for customers to check on service delays:
http://wmnorthwest.com/servicedelays.html
