TEAMSTERS LOCAL 396 LAUNCHES 2026 SANITATION CONTRACT CAMPAIGN: “OUR TIME IS NOW”

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Teamsters Local 396 officially launched its 2026 Sanitation Contract Campaign under the banner “Our Time is Now,” bringing together for the first time ever, thousands of sanitation workers from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties under a common expiration date to demand strong contracts that reflect their essential work, the danger of the job, and the rising cost of living in Southern California. 

With contracts covering thousands of sanitation workers set to expire on September 30, 2026, this campaign marks a unified, year-long effort to secure fair wages, affordable healthcare, strong safety protections, and the dignity and respect that sanitation workers have long earned, but too often been denied. 

“Sanitation workers are not expendable. They are essential,” said Victor Mineros, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396 and Director of Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division. “They work one of the top five most dangerous jobs in the country, and they do it in one of the most expensive places to live. This campaign is about fighting for what our members deserve.” 

Our Time is Now: Essential. United. Unstoppable. 

The campaign theme “Our Time is Now” reflects the growing momentum and solidarity among frontline sanitation workers, who keep neighborhoods clean, prevent public health disasters, and power the waste and recycling systems that cities rely on. The message is clear: after decades of risk, sacrifice, and service, these workers will no longer wait for dignity and justice on the job. Throughout the next 12 months, Local 396 will be coordinating contract actions, rallies, member education, and community engagement efforts across all four counties.  

“We are launching this campaign now, not when the contracts expire, because our members deserve to negotiate from a position of strength and unity,” said Alex Moran, President of Teamsters Local 396. “When we raise the standard for sanitation work, we improve conditions for entire communities.” 

Campaign Objectives and Demands 

The “Our Time is Now” campaign will push for: - Wages that reflect the real cost of living in Southern California - Stronger safety protections for one of America’s most dangerous jobs - Affordable family healthcare and retirement security - Job protections and contract language that ensures dignity and fairness at work - Recognition of the essential service sanitation workers provide every day 

Call for Support 

Teamsters Local 396 is also calling on elected officials, community leaders, and the general public to stand in solidarity with sanitation workers by: - Speaking out in support of a fair contract - Joining campaign events and rallies - Demanding accountability from sanitation employers and contractors - Sharing campaign content and amplifying the workers' voices 

About Teamsters Local 396 

Teamsters Local 396 represents thousands of sanitation workers throughout Southern California. With a legacy of militant contract fights, industry leadership, and community engagement, Teamsters Local 396 continues to build worker power from the ground up. 

As the campaign kicks off, Teamsters Local 396 invites the media, allies, and elected officials to follow along and join the movement. Because when sanitation workers stand together, they win together. 

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