Mar 09, 2010 - 11:18 AM

By Keith Gilligan

DURHAM -- Contract workers who sort and process blue box materials in Durham Region are on strike which could delay the collection of items.

The workers, members of Teamsters Local 419, are not Regional employees, but work at the Region-owned material recovery facility on Garrard Road north of Taunton Road in Whitby. The striking workers are employed by Metro Municipal Recycling Services Inc.

Craig Bartlett, manager of waste operations for the Region, said blue box collection will continue during the labour impasse, although collection could be delayed into the evenings.

Collections will be slowed because vehicles are being held up at the facility, Mr. Bartlett noted.

"It's a picket line and they are slowing vehicles down, passing on information, and slowing them down when they're leaving, passing on information," Mr. Bartlett stated.

"We're bringing material back to the facility, where it will be stored and be processed. There's enough storage for a substantial period of time, At this point, if we continue to have access to the facility, there will be delayed collection."

Owen Lane, a business agent with the Teamsters, said the approximately three dozen workers went on strike Monday morning. They've been in a legal strike position for about two weeks. They're negotiating a first contract with Metro, with wages and benefits the major issues, he said.

"It's a unique situation because it's a Metro facility and a transfer facility for (the Region)," he noted.

The strikers "aren't Regional staff members," Mr. Bartlett added.

As for playing a possible role in trying to settle the strike, Mr. Bartlett said, "The Region respects the right of both parties to work out an agreement. It's up to the two parties to decide where it goes next. Obviously, the Region would like to see a resolution."

The Region hasn't "contemplated" using other sites to store material, he said.

"At this time of year, recycling is low. If you have half a box, hold on to it for a week and put it out next week. Typically, it's one of the slower periods," he added. "Be patient and continue recycling. It's not a time to stop recycling. The material we collect will be processed and recycled."

Mr. Lane said negotiations ended on Friday when workers rejected the company's final offer. No new talks have been scheduled.

Workers make $11 a hour with no benefits, Mr. Lane said.

Attempts to reach Metro weren't successful.

Until the dispute is settled, the facility won't be open to the public, Mr. Bartlett noted.

Updates on the situation can be found at www.durhamregionwaste.ca or by calling 905-579-5264 (toll-free at 1-800-667-5671).