On July 30, Teamsters Local 315, fighting against a contract that would allow 
for unlimited overtime hours,  went on strike against BFI, a national garbage 
collection corporation, based in Pacheco, California.  These 180 Teamsters had 
worked without a contract since May 1998.  BFI immediately flew in scabs 
(workers who refuse to join the labor strike and instead take the place of the 
worker on the job) from across the country. 
        BFI presently works drivers routinely twelve hour days and sometimes up to 
sixteen hours. The company wants to disciplined workers speed for not 
performing at the same speed as set faster drivers per the same route, to 
cross the picket lines of other unions, and to ignore Teamsters’ concerns 
about overloaded trucks.  BFI says this contract is their final offer.  On 
Wednesday, August 5, 1998, BFI sent out letters to all their workers stating 
if the employees did not report to work in 48 hours, they would be permanently 
be replaced. 
        Hector Gonzales, a BFI employee of eight years, states, "I feel BFI has 
betrayed their employees.  They tell you to be proud to be a BFI employee and 
then they slap you in the face.  I feel depressed and frustrated about selling 
my time to a corporation that does not appreciate my efforts." 
        At this time, Fremont and Daly City Teamsters plan to walk out in support 
of the Pacheco strikers.  BFI threats have not gone over well with several local city 
councils either.  Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Antioch and Moraga have all voiced their 
condemnation. 
        BFI District Vice President Lynn Ascroft’s claims that all garbage routes are 
caught up have been met with dismay.  "You're not telling the truth," Moraga 
Mayor Frank Spering told Ascroft during the last city council meeting.  "What 
else can we believe that you're saying?" 
 The over 3,000 documented missed pick-ups have led the local garbage 
authority, Central Contra Costa County Solid Waste, to look into fining BFI up 
to $485,000.  Additionally, city councils are looking into the legalities of 
revoking their contracts with BFI. 
        The scabs’ attempts to cover routes could be considered comical if they were 
not so dangerous.  Witnessed potentially hazardous practices include tire tops 
being scraped by trucks heavily weighed down from overloading, trucks racing 
through residential neighborhoods at dangerous rates of speed, overloaded 
trucks weaving on the highway at 30 miles per hour (as witnessed by a local 
television station), as well as trucks colliding before they even leave the 
yard.   Not uncommon sights are residential trucks lost in commercial areas 
and commercial bin loading trucks working the residential routes. 
        The Teamsters are increasing pressure on BFI for a fair contract with the 
support of the community and strong picket lines.  The morale on the line 
remains in high spirits as the public sides with labor.  Drivers have gone to 
their route customers to explain why they are striking and the community is 
responding positively. 
        Please support the Teamsters Local 315 in their fight against this greedy 
and irresponsible corporation.  Their fight is our fight.  For information and 
updates, call Teamsters Local 315 at (925) 228-2246. 
 
 Written By 
 Scott Rodman, Local 315