As the garbage strike drags on and work stoppages continue in cities throughout King and Snohomish counties, Republic Services and the Teamsters union are working to move up the date when both sides return to the bargaining table.

The garbage strike affecting the Bay Area appears to be over. The waste management company says a tentative agreement has been reached.

TRASH CONTINUES TO PILE UP in Bay Area municipalities served by Republic Services, a waste management company that saw many of its workers go on strike around the nation last week. The strikes began on July 8 amidst ongoing national contract negotiations between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union and Republic Services,

REPUBLIC SERVICES AND TRASH WORKERS ARE RETURNING TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE TODAY FOR THE 13TH TIME. TEAMSTERS LOCAL 25 SAYS DOZENS OF REPUBLIC’S NONUNION EMPLOYEES AT MASSACHUSETTS FACILITIES HAVE NOW ASKED TO JOIN.

Teamsters say Republic Services is "unwilling to offer workers good wages." Republic Services says these claims belong "in the trash."

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.

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.

Teamsters drivers for Republic Services in Fairfield and Suisun will return to work Saturday morning. A tentative agreement by striking workers in Stockton was reached late Friday, so local

Unionized Republic Services workers returned to the job Friday as they stopped honoring the picket line in solidarity with the Boston Teamsters who were on strike on the East Coast.