Garbage Workers in Continuing Talks with Employer

SEATTLE (AP) -- Trash collection is continuing Thursday in the Seattle area even though the contract with workers has expired.
The union that represents most garbage haulers in the Seattle area and garbage company Waste Management plan more talks for later Thursday after negotiating until nearly 1 a.m.
Waste Management spokeswoman Jackie Lang says they will meet again later in the day but did not have a time. Pay and benefits are key issues.
She says the continued talks mean there will be no strike or lockout on Thursday.
On Wednesday, another garbage company, Allied Waste, reached a tentative agreement with Teamsters Local 174, which represents garbage haulers, and Teamsters Local 117, which mainly represents recycling haulers.
Allied Waste and Waste Management pick up trash for about 1 million people in King and Snohomish counties.