EAST MOLINE — A planned switch to private garbage service for residents won't begin next week as planned because of an ongoing labor complaint.
In March, the city council approved a contract with Republic Services to replace the current city-run garbage service to cover an $81,000 deficit in the general fund. The change was to include no layoffs -- the city's four garbage workers were to move to other city positions.
The changeover is being contested by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents city employees. The day after the council's decision, the union filed a complaint with the Illinois Labor Relations Board alleging the city bargained in bad faith because the parties had not reached an impasse before aldermen chose to privatize the service.
Mayor John Thodos and city administrator Cole O'Donnell said Friday that the city will continue to provide in-house garbage service pending the result of the labor case.
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A hearing before an administrative law judge is scheduled for July 14, Mr. O'Donnell said. The judge's ruling on the case likely would come in in August or September.
There is an appeals process in place as well, which could push any actual change in service back even further, he said. "It could be another year."
There is a clause in the contract with Republic that would allow the company to back out of the arrangement if service does not commence within a certain time frame, Mr. O'Donnell said. That option will become available to Republic in September.
