Fort Mill garbage collectors unionize

Garbage truck drivers who work for Republic Services in Fort Mill have joined the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The drivers voted 30 to 24 this month to become members of Local 71 based in Charlotte.  They are perhaps the first unionized garbage collectors in the region.

Drivers who supported union membership say they sought outside help because the company did not respect them and would not listen to their safety and health concerns and pay issues.

Republic Services says in a statement from its headquarters in Arizona that it’s, “disappointed that our employees chose to join a union, but we respect their right to do so.”