Labor groups urge supervisors to reject S & S Trucking hauling contract; committee recommends against passage

The Budget & Finance Committee on Nov. 7 recommended that the full Board of Supervisors not pass a proposed agreement with S & S Trucking to haul biosolids and grit, following a lengthy public hearing in which union officials and incumbent contractors argued the low bid did not demonstrate compliance with the city's prevailing wage requirements.

"In awarding this contract to S & S Trucking, it would make a mockery of that prevailing wage ordinance," said Jeff Pillar, attorney for Teamsters Local 350, during public comment, arguing the proposed contractor relied on owner‑operators and had not demonstrated it would pay the certified prevailing wage. Bart Morales, secretary‑treasurer of Teamsters Local 350, told the committee the bid would risk replacing long‑tenured union jobs in San Francisco.

Sunset Scavenger Company representatives disputed the award, saying the incumbent provides local union jobs and detailed cost figures to show prevailing‑wage labor accounts for most per‑mile costs. "We're a company that will provide jobs to San Francisco residents," said John Legnito, vice president and group manager for Sunset Scavenger's San Francisco region.

City staff and the purchaser, Naomi Kelly, presented the procurement history: the city issued an invitation to bid in February 2007, received multiple proposals, and found S & S Trucking the most responsive and responsible bidder. The resolution under consideration would authorize a contract estimated to exceed $10,000,000, with a five‑year term and two two‑year extensions, potentially covering up to nine years.

Union and labor council speakers, including Tim Paulson of the San Francisco Labor Council and representatives of the building trades, urged supervisors to reject the recommendation to award the contract. Critics pointed to two bid protests that were denied by city staff, one alleging the lowest bidder lacked required experience and another alleging prevailing wage noncompliance.

Sunset Scavenger's counsel and finance staff disputed the responsiveness finding and provided a detailed cost analysis. John Glaub, finance manager for NorCal's San Francisco region, said labor costs alone equate to approximately $3 per mile and that a reasonable total cost consistent with prevailing wages would be about $4.74 per mile, figures he said were backed by the incumbent's operating experience.

Supervisor Bevan Dufty moved that the committee recommend the contract "not pass" at the full Board; Supervisor Tom Ammiano seconded. Chair Supervisor Aaron Peskin directed that the item be forwarded to the full Board with the committee's recommendation that it not be passed.

The committee's recommendation is advisory; the full Board will take final action at a subsequent meeting.