Three municipalities have notified the hauler it’s not meeting its contract, while the Massachusetts secretary of state questioned private companies’ ability to perform sanitation services.

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.

Negotiations between Republic Services and Teamsters broke down late last week. Talks are set to resume Tuesday, but the impacts of the trash strike are growing more pronounced.

State leaders urge Republic Services to finalize contract with striking Teamsters as uncollected garbage piles up in Massachusetts communities and other states across the country.

Four individuals with charges including drug distribution and domestic abuse were released from jail in Boston due to a six-week

Several Massachusetts communities impacted by the Republic Services sanitation strike​ wrote to the company urging a quick resolution.

As the bar advocate work stoppage continues, more unrepresented criminal defendants could be released from jail.