Waste Management and Teamsters Local 117, the union for the company’s recycling truck drivers, reached an unexpected agreement late Wednesday evening, ending an eight-day strike.

The move puts garbage haulers, who are represented by a different Teamsters local, but honored the strikers’ picket line, back to work on Redmond streets Thursday. The unexpected agreement comes just one day after Waste Management announced that it would hire replacement drivers.

“We are extremely pleased that we reached an agreement on a new contract that delivers a solid compensation package to our hardworking and professional drivers”, said Robin Freedman, spokesperson for Waste Management. “Although regular drivers will be back on their routes (today) it will take time to fully recover from this unfortunate situation. We appreciate the community’s patience during this time.”

Officials cautioned that some collection times may vary from the normal schedule. No details were released about the new contract.

Teamsters voted 109-14  Thursday morning in favor of the new six-year contract, according to KOMO news.

Waste Management announced that garbage drivers will return to work Thursday morning and begin servicing their regular Thursday collection routes. However, due to the timing of the ratification vote, recycling and yard waste collection will be limited.

“Teamster drivers work hard and deserve fair compensation for the important work that they perform,” announced Tracey Thompson, Secretary Treasurer for Teamster Local 117. “We are pleased to have negotiated a contract that recognizes the professionalism of our members.”

Redmond Mayor John Marchione was also pleased.

“I’m glad to know they ratified the contract,” he told the Reporter Thursday. “I don’t know what triggered the solution, but I’m glad there is a solution.”

Marchione said Redmond residents can put out all their accumulated garbage for pickup at no extra charge. He added that full pickup of waste, including recycling and food waste “won’t hit full stride until next Monday.”

At issue was the contract between Waste Management and its recycle and yard waste collectors. The workers went on strike on July 25. Garbage haulers refused to cross the picket line, resulting in very limited service for Redmond businesses and no service for residents.

Waste Management delivered its last contract offer to the union on June 6, which proposed wage and benefit increases averaging more than 4 percent per year.

Mediation between the union and company ended on June 14, after the parties failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the contract that expired on May 31.

In total, Waste Management recycling and yard waste drivers service 220,000 customers in the Puget Sound region.