Advanced Disposal negotiating with employees following strike

Better pay and shorter routes: That’s what Advanced Disposal workers say their company is negotiating with them. This comes after two days of strikes.

We talked to some people in one neighborhood who say they didn’t realize the workers were treated poorly.

The sound is unmistakable. A sound the Athime family counts on hearing every Thursday. But last Thursday — silence.

“I’m talking to my husband like, ‘Are they going to come and get the trash or not?’ Like they’re taking forever,” said Nekita Athmie of Lehigh Acres.

On Wednesday, a group of garbage truck drivers with Advanced Disposal went on strike, impacting more than 50,000 customers.

Their major complaints: pay, of course, and safer, more reliable trucks.

Friday, they’re back on the job. One worker told us by phone that Advanced Disposal is going to negotiate. A spokesperson for Advanced Disposal said in a statement:

“We are pleased that our employees returned to work so we can provide service for our customers while we work through these issues.”

As for the Athime family, they’re glad to hear that familiar sound that signals the trash is gone and glad the men and women who do the dirty work will get what they say they deserve.

“I didn’t realize they were working so many long hours; like they’re there every day when you get home late. One of the guys I heard he was saying that by the time he gets home, eats, takes a shower and goes to bed, he can’t even have time to spend with his family,” Athime said.

Neither side will talk about the negotiations publicly. Right now, Advanced Disposal promises to catch up on trash pickup by Saturday.