Waste Management Reports Progress in Oakland and East Bay Collection Services.

Company Hopes That Safety and Labor Peace Will Be Focus of Today's Contract Talks

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC) today reported that on Tuesday, July 17, it serviced the same number of collection routes, 245, as it serviced before the current work stoppage began. In addition, the company collected 1,844 tons of trash--6% more than the daily average during the last week of June. These increases in volume are objective evidence that the Company is succeeding in its efforts to reduce the amount of waste that may have accumulated during the first week of the work stoppage.

The Company's collection staffing level also has exceeded 300, equivalent to levels prior to the Teamster dispute. Of the 481 members of the Teamsters bargaining unit, about 300 drove collection or disposal routes. Another 83 members were assigned to other duties at transfer stations, and approximately 100 were either relief personnel or absent for various reasons.

"We continue to appreciate the patience of our Oakland and East Bay customers as we work to restore services to the levels they expect. We are making solid progress and are committed to fulfilling our contractual obligations," said James Devlin, Area Vice President.

Devlin complimented the San Leandro police department for their efforts in facilitating the egress of trucks from the yard. He said that the department's active presence at WMAC's Adams St. gate was critical to dispatching the full number of collection trucks on schedule yesterday and today.

"The sooner our trucks are on the streets, the more time we'll have to collect all of the waste," Devlin said.

Turning to the matter of today's mediated contract talks with Local 70 and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, Devlin said that he hoped that good faith discussions between the company and the Teamsters would lead to a successful resolution of the vital issues of improving the safety performance of Local 70 drivers and achieving labor peace for the next contract.

"The company and the union have a moral obligation to WMAC's employees, their families and the communities we serve to achieve the highest levels of driver safety in the waste industry," Devlin said.

He noted that under the expired contract, the safety performance of WMAC's Local 70 drivers fell far below the average of Waste Management's 22,500 drivers.

* Since 2002, the Local 70 driver injury rate is 207% higher than the Waste Management company average.

* In the past five years, WMAC Local 70 drivers have been involved in vehicular accidents that resulted in the deaths of 2 East Bay community members.

* Out of Waste Management's 22,500 drivers nation wide, Local 70 represents 20 of our to 50 most dangerous drivers expressed in terms of total incidents.

* During the first six months of 2007, the accident rate of WMAC Local 70 drivers was 92% higher than the company average, and the number of drivers involved in multiple accidents is 310% of the company average.

The company also is seeking a no-strike/no lockout clause during the life of the contract.

Devlin said, "No management or union that has bargained in good faith should have any reservation about replacing strikes and lockouts with a dispute resolution process including binding arbitration."