ERIE, Mich. — Days after a Republic Services strike in Illinois began disrupting trash and recycling pickup across parts of northwest Ohio, WTOL 11 spoke directly with the union members behind the picket line outside the company’s Erie, Michigan, facility.

Teamsters Local 179 members from Joliet, Illinois, say they came to Michigan as part of a national effort to put pressure on Republic Services leadership and win better pay, health coverage, and pensions for workers at the Ottawa, Illinois, plant.

“We don’t want to disrupt anyone’s service, but sometimes you gotta make a stand,” said Bob Joly, recording secretary for Local 179. “They’re after better wages, health coverage, and pension, and the company refuses to bring them equal to the other two facilities in the same area.”

Since T

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