Honoring MLK with Action for Sanitation Workers
Dr. King was killed fighting for hardworking union members. Hundreds of Teamsters are in Atlanta to continue his crusade.
By Victor Mineros
Hundreds of Teamsters are gathered in Atlanta today to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy. Not just with words but by directly continuing the movement he was leading to improve working conditions in the sanitation industry — the same crusade during which he was assassinated in Memphis.
The Teamsters Union represents thousands of solid waste workers across the country. Together, we have made a lot of progress improving the lives of these hardworking men and women over the last several years. 2026 is shaping up to be the most consequential year yet.
One reason for this is that Teamsters Local 396, where I’m honored to serve as Secretary-Treasurer, has finally achieved one of our biggest long-term goals: aligning contract expiration dates for all our solid waste and recycling workers. On September 30, 2026, labor agreements will expire for more than 3,000 of our members at eight sanitation companies across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
They’re not alone. Thousands of additional sanitation industry Teamsters across America are gearing up for major contract fights with multibillion-dollar corporations like Republic Services over the course of the year.
Our members are critical to their communities. They work from the crack of dawn until the sun sets to keep our streets safe and clean. They perform some of the most dangerous work in America, dealing with hazardous materials, tossing heavy bags of trash, and navigating busy traffic to get the job done. It’s only right that they be treated and compensated fairly.
But too often companies try to shortchange them as the cost-of-living skyrockets. Despite the risks they face, some corporations try to keep them on more expensive health care plans rather than accessing affordable Teamsters health insurance. And some companies fail to address the dangerous conditions of the job at all.
Sanitation Teamsters know their worth, and they’re not afraid to fight against such greed. Last year at Republic Services, hundreds of Teamsters from five local unions were forced to launch one of the biggest sanitation strikes in a generation. Thanks to their militancy and unity, every single one of them secured standard-setting agreements that reflect the value they bring to the company.
This year, we sincerely hope to negotiate fair and strong agreements for our members without being forced to the picket line. But rest assured that every single sanitation Teamster is ready to do whatever it takes to get the contracts they deserve. As we stand together in Atlanta to reflect on Dr. King’s memory, our focus remains on supporting, protecting, and respecting these essential American workers at all costs.
Victor Mineros serves as Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396, Teamsters International Western Region Vice President, and Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division.