The East Bay garbage lockout went from dirty to dangerous, after somebody used an unknown projectile to shatter a garbage truck window driven by a replacement worker. The Sheriff's Department says the incident happened in Castro Valley. According to the Alameda County Sheriff, one man is in custody after he apparently fired a slingshot, pellet gun, or small caliber weapon that shattered the window of a garbage truck. The suspect's family would not comment, but his neighbor did. Neighbor: "He's an ex-teamster." The Alameda County Sheriffs concluded their investigation, though it is not known whether the suspect in custody will be charged by the district attorney.
Whatever the circumstances, this test of wills between Local 70, and Waste Management of Alameda County, continues to escalate. The company doubled its workforce, after hiring two-hundred people to replace the crews it has locked out since the end of last month.
David Tucker, Waste Management Spokesman: "The lockout was to prevent a worse situation if they went on strike. Had they gone on strike, there would be no service at all."
Matt Seever, Teamster: "We have families to feed. We're not getting paid. We're upset about it. We're definitely upset about it. We want to go back to work."
Meantime, this situation has filled trash cans and trash bins throughout the East Bay, and the impatience of customers equally overflowing.
Tina Elliot, Hair Stylist: "Waste management should be ashamed of themselves."
George Mullen, Resident: "To me, lockout or strike, it's on the management side, now."
Tucker: "It's not the best scenario, but it's the one that reserves some service."
Members of the teamsters' union have set up picket lines at other waste management companies around the Bay Area, including Walnut Creek, in an effort to broaden their support.
The City of Oakland's suit against Waste Management goes to court Monday.
(abclocal.go.com)
