RACINE COUNTY - Striking trash haulers on Friday rejected the most recent offer from Houston-based Waste Management.

They could be permanently replaced if they don't reach an agreement with the company by a Sunday deadline, according to a company spokeswoman.

Members of Teamsters Local 200 voted unanimously to reject a five-year contract proposal that came out of negotiations Thursday.

"Our members chose not to vote for a contract that replaces their retirement's defined benefit program with a 401(k) plan," Teamsters Local 200 Secretary-Treasurer Tom Millonzi said in a news release.

Waste Management modified its last, best and final offer at the union's request, Waste Management spokeswoman Lynn Morgan said.

Union members will vote again Sunday morning on whether to accept the company's "last, best and final" offer from Sept. 10, Morgan said.

The new offer did not increase the overall value of the contract offer but did redistribute benefits and pay, she said.

Sunday's vote was organized after the union's announcement on Friday that it had rejected the offer negotiated Thursday, Morgan said.

The Teamsters will vote on the company's Sept. 10 offer, which would give pay raises of 10 to 15 percent in the first year, depending on each employee's job classification, and 3 percent in years two through five, according to Waste Management officials.

It would also increase compensation in other ways, including starting a 401(k) retirement fund for each employee.

If the union accepts that offer, the strike will end.

Should the Teamsters reject the company's offer, it would revert to one that includes less total compensation. The union has until 4 p.m. Sunday to make a decision.

Company officials are considering hiring permanent replacement workers should the union reject the offer.

"That would not be necessary," if the contract is ratified, Morgan said. "They would come off strike and return to employment."

Millonzi's statement mentions the 4 p.m. deadline, but not a vote on the Sept. 10 company offer.

Waste Management collects residential trash and/or recyclables from 13,600 residential and 1,900 commercial customers in Caledonia, Waterford and Union Grove.

The company also collects

garbage in the Town of Somers.

About 240 garbage haulers and mechanics walked off the job

Aug. 26, forcing Waste Management to use managers and drivers from elsewhere to collect trash and recyclables.

Union leaders accused Houston-based Waste Management of "threats and coercion" and not dealing strictly with appointed union negotiators.

Each side has filed unfair-labor practice charges against the other with the National Labor Relations Board.