Garbage pickup services got back on track on Wednesday in Mount Vernon following a temporary work slowdown initiated by Teamsters Union 456 due to ongoing contract negotiations.

Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard released a statement addressing the situation, confirming that negotiations have been underway, and that the recent slowdown had led to some disruptions in garbage collection.

Public works employees with Teamsters 456 say they were taking long breaks and stopping early each day until the city reached a contract agreement with the union, adding that they had been working without a pay raise for seven years.

All remaining garbage, including Northside garbage, was collected Wednesday morning as services returned to normal.

Patterson-Howard expressed her commitment to continuing negotiations in good faith between the city and the union.