Waste Management and Local 174 Agree on New Contract


SEATTLE, Sept. 12, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Eric Rose, spokesperson for Waste Management today issued the following statement.

Waste Management (NYSE:WMI) is pleased that the Teamsters accepted our contract offer that was fair to everyone and is competitive with the region and the industry. We made a comprehensive offer to the Union that fairly addresses the interests of the employees while preserving the company's requirement to continue operating in a highly competitive business environment.

The agreement covers wages, benefits, holidays, hours of work, pensions, safety provisions, and other conditions under which unionized mechanics work. The agreement also places employees in the current Waste Management sponsored health and welfare plan. Although Waste Management will continue to pay a substantial portion of the overall cost, this agreement is significant in that it does not provide either a maintenance of benefit requirement or a discounted premium rate for unionized employees. This was a significant issue for the Company during bargaining, as it assists the Company's efforts in providing superior healthcare coverage to its employees while helping to control spiraling healthcare costs.

While we are pleased that we have reached an agreement, we are disappointed and dismayed with the union's twin actions last week, suspending talks and striking. The fact remains: a strike was not necessary in order to reach an agreement.

Waste Management wishes to express its appreciation for the patience of those customers that were affected by the mechanic's strike last week. We pride ourselves in the quality of service we provide week-in and week-out.

Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Our subsidiaries provide collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. We are also a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. Our customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. For more information on WM, visit www.wmnorthwest.com.


            

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