Republic Services and the Teamsters have been at a standoff since July 1, when 450 local workers went on strike after the union's contract expired. Teamsters are seeking better wages, benefits and stronger labor protections.

Teamsters Local 25 and Republic Services walked away from the bargaining table on Tuesday, having made “little progress” on a deal to end the work stoppage.

State leaders urge Republic Services to finalize contract with striking Teamsters as uncollected garbage piles up in Massachusetts communities and other states across the country.

The Teamsters union said it had picket lines up at Republic Services locations in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Other strikes against Republic, a national waste management firm, have begun in Georgia and Illinois.

Boston officials are calling on Republic Services to return to the table and settle with trash workers, saying that the ongoing strike is a public health emergency.