Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fullerton council releases trash-hauling RFP after heated debate over union preference
Summary
Council released a long-awaited solid-waste RFP after public testimony and council debate about whether to require or favor unionized haulers; a substitute motion to add a 5% bonus for union labor failed and the RFP was approved as written, with staff directed to consider addenda later.
Fullerton — The City Council voted Sept. 16 to release a request for proposals for municipal solid-waste services after a contentious public-comment period and a split council debate over labor protections.
Council member Zara had pulled the item for discussion, asking whether the city could require a unionized hauler or award preference points to bidders that employ union labor. Patrick Munoz, special counsel on solid-waste matters, told the council the law allows evaluative preference points and that many haulers in the region have Teamsters contracts, but that a hard requirement could limit the pool of bidders.
Dozens of residents, union representatives and business advocates addressed the council during the item. Adam Alvarez, communications director for Teamsters Local 396, urged the council to retain Republic Services and to ensure any new provider honors union jobs and the experience of long-serving drivers. Several speakers said union contracts support safety and low turnover; others warned that limiting bidders could raise rates or jeopardize service.
Mayor Jeong offered a substitute motion to release the RFP with 5% bonus points for union labor. That motion failed on a recorded roll call. The council then voted to release the RFP as drafted with no mandatory union requirement; votes in favor came from Council members Dunlap, Valencia, Mayor Pro Tem Charles and Mayor Jeong; Council member Zara voted no. Councilmembers directed staff and the ad hoc committee to work closely with stakeholders and said the city could still issue an addendum before final award.
Staff emphasized that pricing remains the most heavily weighted criterion in the RFP and cautioned that any heavy weighting in favor of labor could become de facto a requirement. City attorneys and the consultant suggested a modest preference (discussed in terms of percent-weight during the meeting) would be implemented by addendum if council so directed.
Next steps: the city will post and administer the RFP process according to the advertised schedule. Staff said they will return with recommended evaluation criteria if council asks for a formal bonus-point addendum; any final contract award will come back to council for approval.
