2 hearings in court today – NBC Boston

Frustration continues to pile up in several communities in Massachusetts as garbage piles get even higher, with no end in sight to the ongoing trash strike.

Towns and cities are now having to take matters into their own hands to get things cleaned up.

A hearing scheduled for Monday in Essex Superior Court was supposed to address a complaint filed by six municipalities against Republic Services, but it was pushed to Tuesday.

The municipalities – Beverly, Malden, Gloucester, Peabody, Danvers and Canton – filed a joint complaint asking a judge to call on Republic to remove what they now believe is a “public health risk”.

Frustration continues to grow in Massachusetts communities as Teamsters and Republic Services negotiated over the ongoing sanitation strike.

For the last 18 work days, Republic has been in a battle with some of its employees, Teamsters Local 25, over a new contract. The union wants better pay and better benefits.

Republic has hired replacement workers to remedy the situation, but the company says part of the reason why they haven’t been able to fully step in is because the striking union members are making it difficult. They’re accused of blocking the replacements from leaving Republic’s lot, causing property damage, using racial slurs and even stealing a recycling truck.

In a separate case, Republic is suing the union, asking for a 1,000-foot restraining order and some monetary compensation. That lawsuit will be heard in federal court Monday.

The latest negotiation session failed on Friday. Republic and union members have so far refused to set up another bargaining session.