Workers at Republic Services Inc.’s waste hauling yard in McDonough, Ga., went on strike, claiming unfair labor practices by the company.

(This updated article includes a comment from the company.)

About 40 drivers, helpers and mechanics from the Washington-based Teamsters Local 728 went on strike April 15, claiming in a news release the Phoenix-based Republic broke federal law when it fired a worker because of his support for the union, and because it stopped paying drivers for time they work while returning their trucks to the yard.

“First and foremost, I want to assure our customers that we are going to serve them despite Local 728’s strike,” said Republic’s Heath Eddleblute, area president, and Larson Richardson, general manager in Atlanta. “Close to one-third of our employees voluntarily crossed the picket line this morning and are out on their routes serving customers. Other company resources are filling in as long as necessary.”

The company said it made its best and final offer April 4 and that the workforce did not get an opportunity to vote on it.

Close to 600 union members on April 15 also honored picket lines at five Ohio cities supporting a Teamsters strike at Republic’s landfill near Youngstown, Ohio. More than 150 workers extended the picked line at Republic’s Sun Valley, Calif., facility April 10. The latest picket line extensions of drivers, helpers and mechanics occurred in Youngstown, Columbus, Canton, Elyria and Cleveland.