Around Town

Trash Strike: Secretary of State Urges End of Strike, Republic’s Statement on Negotiations

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A Watertown trash bin. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

As the trash strike impacting Watertown and more than a dozen communities nears a third week, the Massachusetts Secretary of State reached out to Republic Services urging an end to the strike. The company also issued a statement saying that the union “did not take negotiations seriously.” The trash strike began on July 1, 2025. Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 met for more than nine hours on Friday, and are scheduled to return to negotiations on Tuesday.

Government

Negotiations in Trash Strike End Friday With No Deal, One Affected Town May Terminate Contract

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Uncollected trash bins in Watertown on July 11 due to the trash strike that began July 1. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The two sides met for several hours on Friday but failed to come to an agreement that would end the trash strike that began on July 1, 2025. Some communities impacted by the strike are seeking damages and have threatened to end the contract with the trash contractor. The negotiations between Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 took place with the assistance of federal mediation. The two sides met for 9.5 hours, according to a statement from Teamsters Local 25, and negotiations will resume on Tuesday, July 15.

Around Town

UPDATED: Trash Strike – Sides Going into Mediation, Letter from City Manager, Watertown Human Rights Commission Weighs In

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Watertown DPWTrash and recycling collection has been impacted by the trash strike that began on July 1. (UPDATED Friday, July 11, 2:50 p.m. – The letter signed by City Manager George Proakis was added)

The trash strike entered its 11th day on Friday, and the two sides — Republic Services and Teamsters Local 25 — said they will be going into mediation. City Manger George Proakis and other municipal heads sent a letter to Republic Services. On Thursday, Republic released a statement saying they had been contacted by the union and will be using a federal mediator, according to a report by NBC Boston 10. This statement came after the Teamsters said that there had been no negotiations since last week.

Business

Watertown Woman Used Her Experience With Chemo to Create Patient Care Kits

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ChemoCareKits contain items to help people going through chemotherapy. (Photo from ChemoCareKits)

In 2020, Watertown’s Jessica Yamas went through treatment for breast cancer, including chemotherapy, and she used her experiences to create boxes full of items to help others going through cancer treatment. She calls the boxes ChemoCareKits, which include a variety of items to make people more comfortable, as well as a booklet. Yamas now sells the boxes, with some of the proceeds benefiting cancer research and patient care. Yamas went through her cancer treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Real Estate

More Than Two Dozen Open Houses Around Watertown

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Plenty of properties around town for home buyers to visit this week. 35 Bacon St. UNIT 35, $995,000, 2 bedroom 3 bathroom 1,763 sq. ft. Townhouse, Open houses: Saturday, July 12 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Sunday, July 13 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

19 Irving St., $1,436,000, 5 bedroom 5 bathroom 2,818 sq.

Around Town

Trash Strike Continues, Sides Have Not Met This Week

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Overflowing trash and recycling bins on Main Street during the trash strike. (Photo by Dean Martino)

The two sides have not come to an agreement on the trash strike impacting Watertown and 11 other communities, and it appears they have not been at the negotiation table since last week. The City says replacement crews continue to pick up trash, and missed collections will be dealt with later in the day. On Wednesday, Teamsters Local 25 sent out a release saying that officials with Republic Services have not met with them. “Republic Services was told on Thursday, July 3, if they did not begin negotiations by Monday, July 7, we were prepared to extend picket lines across the country.