Mirror staff reports:

The Federal Way City Council approved a $209,000 settlement with Waste Management for interrupted service during Waste Management’s eight-day driver strike this summer.

“The strike inconvenienced thousands of residents and businesses, and in doing so, violated Waste Management’s contract with the city,” said Mayor Skip Priest. “We believe it’s appropriate for the settlement to go directly to the customers affected by the strike.”

Refunds will appear as a $10 credit for residential customers and as a $50 credit for business customers on their next billing statement. According to the city, business customers, who are billed monthly, will see the credit on their November invoice. Residential customers, who are billed quarterly, will see the credit appear on either their November, December or January billing statements.

The strike lasted eight days. Per the city, the franchise agreement between the city and Waste Management includes a clause that allows Waste Management to not deliver service for up to seven days without it being considered a breach of contract. The settlement was negotiated through the mayor’s office.

Public Works Department personnel were out in the city daily during the strike, documenting where garbage was not being picked up.

“That documentation was critical to securing the settlement for garbage and recycling customers,” said councilmember Dini Duclos.