Republic Services Feeds Workers with Committed to Serve Initiative
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Some 130 Republic Services workers and their families in the area are receiving a weekly meal through a program that also injects money into the local economy.
Through the Committed to Serve initiative, each week, frontline employees receive a meal and a dinner for them and their families. To date, $10,000 has been spent with local restaurants, including Charly’s Family Restaurant in Austintown, Chick-fil-A, Cocca’s Pizza and the restaurant at Morgan Oil in Struthers, according to a company release.
“Small businesses are often hit the hardest during times of uncertainty. The ‘Committed to Serve’ initiative is a gesture of support for both our employees and our local small businesses, many of whom are our customers,” said Brent Bowker, general manager with Republic Services. “The reaction from small business owners and employees has been pure appreciation. Additionally, our employees feel a sense of pride being able to give back to the local community they serve.”
Local efforts are part of a larger, $20 million initiative launched by the company in April to serve its 28,000 frontline employees. The two-month program includes bi-weekly $100 gift cards to be spent locally. After the program runs its course, each employee will have received $400, according to the release.
The company will also donate $3 million to the Republic Services Charitable Foundation to fund its long-term nonprofit partners that operate locally and serve local communities and small businesses, according to the release.
“Our frontline employees are doing an exceptional job taking care of our customers and communities. We’re launching our $20 million ‘Committed to Serve’ initiative to recognize our 28,000 frontline employees in the field serving our customers every day, while also helping to support our small business customers across the nation. This initiative is targeted economic stimulus at the local level, designed to benefit our small business customers as well as our employees, our company and our country,” said CEO Donald W. Slager. “Republic Services has a stable, predictable and resilient business model, and through prudent planning and hard work we are well-positioned to manage through this crisis, including providing stability to our employees and customers.”
Last week, members of Teamsters Local 377 protested and demanded Republic services provide more personal protective equipment and better workplace conditions during the coronavirus pandemic, including revised attendance and paid sick leave policies. The membership joined some 800 Teamsters in Massachusetts, Georgia, Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
Republic Services employs some 70 members of the Teamsters in the Youngstown area at two hauling stations and a landfill in Lowellville.
Image: Republic Services
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
