Teamsters Local 396 Activates Contract Campaign for Sanitation Workers in 2026

Teamsters Local 396 Launches 2026 Sanitation Contract Campaign

On September 30, 2025, Teamsters Local 396 took a significant step forward by launching its campaign for the 2026 sanitation contract. This mobilization comes as over 3,000 waste workers gear up to secure stronger agreements ahead of their contract expiration in just one year.

With a strategic approach, Local 396 has successfully synchronized contract expiration dates across eight waste management companies, which includes 29 facilities located in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino. This united approach is designed to empower Teamsters, providing them with maximum leverage during the bargaining process.

Victor Mineros, the Secretary-Treasurer of Local 396, emphasized the importance of this movement, stating, "Sanitation workers are essential, not expendable. Our members perform some of the most hazardous roles in one of the most costly areas of the country. This campaign aims to secure the wages, benefits, and protections they rightfully deserve."

By aligning their contract expiration dates, members of Local 396 are better positioned to negotiate agreements that will result in increased wages, improved working conditions, feasible healthcare options, reliable retirement plans, and enhanced job security.

In the words of Alex Moran, President of Local 396, "We are launching this campaign now to build momentum and negotiate from a position of strength and unity at the bargaining table. When we elevate the standards for sanitation workers, we consequently enhance conditions for entire communities."

Over the next year, Local 396 plans to mobilize its members alongside elected officials, community advocates, and other allies to champion the top priorities of sanitation workers. This proactive stance is expected to catalyze discussions and negotiations that could lead to groundbreaking improvements in the sanitation sector.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million dedicated workers across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. For more information about the Teamsters, visit Teamster.org and follow them on social media platforms.

In conclusion, as the 2026 sanitation contract campaign unfolds, Local 396 is committed to fighting for the rights and dignity of waste workers, advocating for the recognition they deserve, and ensuring that their invaluable contributions are acknowledged and rewarded. Through unity and high aspirations, the Teamsters aim to redefine the future of sanitation work, not just for their members but for the communities they serve.