Striking Teamsters at Republic Services this week are dramatically escalating their war against the waste giant by extending picket lines to Los Angeles and a major landfill in Ohio.

The work stoppage, led by Teamsters-affiliated employees demanding contract improvements, has now impacted waste collection in parts of King and Snohomish counties. Republic Services, one of the region’s largest waste haulers, is in contract negotiations with workers at five locations across the state.

Republic Services and the Teamsters have been at a standoff since July 1, when 450 local workers went on strike after the union's contract expired. Teamsters are seeking better wages, benefits and stronger labor protections.

Striking Teamsters at Republic Services have expanded their strike against the waste management company to the Mahoning Valley. Picket lines have been extended to Republic Services Carbon Limestone Landfill on State Line Road in Lowellville as of Tuesday.

Lynnfield, North Reading, and Wakefield have notified Republic Services that it is failing to meet contractual obligations as a Teamsters union strike against the waste management company reaches two weeks.

The Teamsters Union and Republic Services are expected to resume negotiations Friday as the ongoing sanitation workers strike hits day 11.Republic<a class="excerpt-read-more" href=" More

Republic Services customers in Edmonds, Monroe and Snohomish were told an “out-of-market labor disruption” affected their garbage pickup on Wednesday.