Georgia Sanitation Workers Looking To Unionize

ATLANTA (AP) - A large group of DeKalb County sanitation workers are petitioning the county for a union, citing a four-year pay freeze as among the reasons they're looking to join the Teamsters.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Monday that sanitation workers in DeKalb county say they are concerned about their benefits package, with increasing health care costs and changes to pension plans eating into their paychecks. The newspaper said 85 percent of the county's 150 sanitation workers were involved in the effort.

County Commissioner Larry Johnson told the newspaper he approved raises in better economic times, but mentioned a projected $35 million shortfall in the 2013 budget as a reason why raises may not be feasible.

The newspaper says the county commission will likely vote on the issue next year.