Ratto Group employees unionize, push for zero waste initiatives

Employees of the Ratto Group, the primary garbage hauler of Sonoma County, California, located in Santa Rosa, recently voted to join the Teamsters Local 665 union and are pushing the county toward a zero waste goal, a report by the Press Democrat says.

The Teamsters previously attempted to unionize Ratto Group drivers, mechanics, recycling and clerical workers twice but failed due to management opposition. The success this time came from questions raised by auditors and regulators about Ratto’s operations and the company being sold to Recology, San Francisco, which caused employees to question their futures, the report says.

The union is now preparing contract negotiations with the company that will purchase or win contracts in eight Sonoma County cities and the unincorporated area where Ratto operates, including Windsor. The Teamsters paried with a coalition of local groups, such as the Sierra Club, to advocate for better worker conditions and zero waste practices.

Waste Management, Houston, and GreenWaste Recovery, San Jose, were finalists for the contracts in Sanoma County in April, but negotiations with Recology have started since, the report says.

In Windsor, town council selected GreenWaste Recovery for its contract and rate are expected to increase 32 percent.

Mike Yates, president of Teamsters Local 665, presented at an event about the union’s role in working conditions, salaries and benefits for waste workers and how they connect to zero waste initiatives. Senior Researcher at the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy Loren Ahkaim also presented.