Waste Management lashed out Wednesday against the robo calls from striking union members that were sent to several customers.

The automated phone calls warn about alleged dangers of replacement drivers that are now being hired by Waste Management. The calls urge homeowners to beware, but the company said the calls are nothing more than scare tactics.

“Please be careful,” said the voice in the call, which identified itself as a striking recycling driver. “Make sure your children stay out of the way of the trucks. Call police if you see something dangerous.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEE9x7JykRE

Video via Seattle Weekly.

“That tactic just created more chaos, and confusion and fear among our residents,” said Robin Freedman, a Waste Management spokesperson.

The calls also generated anger among some customers. Mike Toomey of Redmond said he was offended by the message and that he believed it would backfire.

“If you have to make your case with nothing but fear tactics, and scare tactics and fear, I don’t think you have much of a case,” he said.

As of Wednesday evening, the union hadn’t responded to questions about the calls.

Company defends replacements

Waste Management, meanwhile, also came forward to defend the new replacement drivers.

“The guys and gals behind me – the skillset they have is the same exact skillset of the drivers driving routes today,” Freedman said.

She insisted the new drivers aren’t rookies, but Waste Management drivers and employees who work in other parts of the country and have come to Western Washington to help out.

What’s more, she said another team of experienced drivers got off a plane at Sea-Tac on Wednesday afternoon.

The company said that between Tuesday and Wednesday, it received more than 200 applications as a result of radio ads seeking new drivers. Those recruits will be trained before hitting the streets.