Allied Waste Services set to lockout union employees

Allied Waste Services, the company that provides Evansville's trash service, is set to lockout it's union employees as soon as Tuesday night.

The lockout would affect nearly 80 employees. Teamsters Local 215 has until 9 p.m. Tuesday night to accept Allied's last best and final offer or those workers will be off the job.

At it's offices in Evansville, Allied Waste is upping security and taking applications for drivers in preparation of Tuesday's scheduled lockout of 79 union employees.

"When threats of war were made across the table at the company, the company felt it was necessary to take this step," said Allied General Manager, Mark McKune.

Allied's contract with Teamsters Local 215 expired last month and the two sides haven't agreed on a new one.

The sticking point is Allied's plan to end pensions for union employees and instead offer 401K's.

"We have worked before with this company where we've extended the contract and we've ultimately got an agreement. There's no reason that should not be happening this time. They're the moving party. They're the ones locking us out," said Chuck Whobrey, who is business manager and President of Teamsters Local 215.

McKune says Allied has made it's final offer and the ball is now in the union's hands. Trash service will continue with or without union workers on their trucks.

"When the bargaining committee used the term war across the table, we had to make sure we were taking the necessary steps to provide this service for the community," said McKune.

In a statement on Monday, Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said he remains hopeful that the two sides will be able to reach an amicable agreement, and he is confident that Allied will continue it's services uninterrupted while the contract issue is resolved.

The union will discuss it's options Monday night during it's scheduled meeting.