Sonoma County, Calif., Solid Waste Workers Vote to Join Teamsters Local 665

Solid waste and recycling workers in Sonoma County, Calif., voted to join Teamsters Local 665. A majority of the almost 400 drivers, mechanics, customer service representatives and other workers voted to join the union last Friday.

"Congratulations to all of the workers and everyone that was involved in this election," Local 665 Secretary-Treasurer Mark Gleason said in a statement. "When workers join the Teamsters they see improvements in their wages, benefits and working conditions. We're excited to welcome them as members."

The union said the election is the culmination of more than 20 years of attempts to bring waste and recycling workers in Sonoma County into the Teamsters. This was the final remaining major nonunion group in this industry in Northern California, according to the union.

The cities of Santa Rosa and Windsor are engaged in a competitive bidding process for these services and the workers will likely be working under new management in June.