Waste and recycling service drivers for Republic Services Inc. in Youngstown, Ohio, returned to work April 3, while the strike continues at its area landfill.

“While union landfill workers remain on strike, our landfill is staffed and accepting waste,” said Doug Dunn, general manager, Republic Services/Allied Waste in Youngstown, in an e-mail. “We appreciate the patience of our customers during these past few days. Republic Services/Allied Waste will continue to negotiate in a good faith effort to secure a workable contract agreement.”

Galen Munroe, press secretary for the Washington-based Teamsters, confirmed the workforce developments. Republic said 23 workers remain on strike. Meanwhile about 200 workers at the Phoenix-based Republic’s Elyria, Ohio, facility refused to cross a picket line extension on April 3.

The next negotiation session with Teamsters Local 377 is April 9, Dunn said.

Workers at Republic’s Carbon Limestone landfill outside of Youngstown went on strike March 27, charging the company with illegally changing working conditions without bargaining.

Republic has said the key issue is the company’s proposal to withdraw Youngstown employees from the financially troubled Central States Pension Fund. Three Teamster locals in Michigan agreed to the withdrawal earlier in March, shifting to a stronger pension fund, the firm said.