MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Sanitation workers in Memphis continue to work without a contract thanks in part to Superstorm Sandy.
Allied Waste Services and Teamsters Local 984 were headed to the negotiating table Wednesday morning, but key players are unable to travel because of the storm.
A Teamsters rep says they're trying to reschedule the negotiations for as soon as possible because there's plenty at stake in this labor dispute, namely the workers' retirement plan.
Allied Waste wants to replace their pension with a 401k plan. Union leaders say that would put a heavy burden on the backs of workers.
Allied Waste is the major contributor of the pension. Teamsters say Allied Waste has more than enough money to pay into it. The company says the pension is going broke.
“Matter of fact the teamsters themselves testified before Congress saying, ‘This is going to be bankrupt in ten years.’ So we want to move them now so they can start building up a good retirement in our 401k plan to secure their future,” said Roger Lawrence from Allied Waste.
Teamsters say claims of the pension going bankrupt are exaggerated and there's a plan for the pension fund to become solvent again.
Meantime workers are still on the job. They approved a strike in case they don’t get a new contract. Allied Waste Services will bring in temporary workers if that happens.
