Trash pickups have been delayed in several area communities because of a strike at Republic Services/Allied Waste.
A company representative said Republic could not provide a list of the communities it serves.
But customers in Stow, Hinckley Township and Lake Township reported to the Beacon Journal that trash scheduled for pickup on Monday was picked up on Tuesday, or they were still waiting as of Tuesday afternoon.
A company spokeswoman said pickups may be late but they would continue.
Several other communities are expected to be affected, including Barberton, a new Republic Waste customer.
Teamsters locals in Ohio and elsewhere that represent hourly workers at the company are engaging in sympathy strikes over a dispute that involves, at least in part, a large union pension fund.
The Ohio strikes as of Tuesday had spread to work forces based out of Massillon, Youngstown, Cleveland and Toledo, according to the union and company, but other Summit, Stark and Medina communities appeared to be affected as well.
The dispute between the company and union involves contract negotiations at a Youngstown-area landfill.
Republic also said it is trying to move about 500 Teamsters employees out of what it calls the union’s underfunded and “failing” Central States pension fund and into a 401(k) retirement plan.
Teamsters say Republic changed working conditions without bargaining.
The Youngstown Vindicator reported that municipalities in the Mahoning Valley area are considering changing from Republic to other sanitation companies if there is a prolonged strike that leads to uncollected trash piling up.
The Teamsters on Tuesday said more than 600 drivers, helpers and mechanics were on strike in Ohio and other states. Republic said more than 150 Teamsters in Ohio and Tennessee crossed picket lines and returned to work.